Can the Galaxy Watch Work with iPhone?

Fitness tracking smartwatches are becoming more and more popular, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch. It comes with a sophisticated design and effortless menu navigation. It also offers a four-day battery life. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Active, it has a rotating digital bezel, which makes it even easier to use.

The Galaxy Watch works best with other Samsung devices. But would it work with an iPhone and other iOS devices? The short answer is yes. But the Galaxy Watch iOS support is limited, and that might be a dealbreaker for some users. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Galaxy Watch and iOS

The first thing you should do before diving into the actual Galaxy Watch features is to download the Galaxy Watch app from the App Store. The next step is to pair the two devices. Make sure you have the Bluetooth on before you start the process. All you have to do is follow the instructions on the screen.

When you pair the Galaxy Watch with your iPhone, you’ll be able to see the status of your watch on the iPhone’s Home screen. Go to Settings and customize them. If you’re experiencing issues, there might be a compatibility issue with the devices. You can visit the Samsung compatibility page to check.

Calling

Being able to make and receive calls via the Galaxy Watch is one of its essential features. If that doesn’t work correctly, then the remaining features won’t matter as much. When your Galaxy watch is connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth, the calling function is fully supported. There is just one hurdle to get over first.

When you first pair the devices and you try to make a call, the Galaxy Watch displays an error. Just tap the error message and connect to a Bluetooth device that has a similar name as your Galaxy Watch. And that’s it. The calling feature is the same as on iOS and Android devices. You can receive calls, make them, and alternate between the watch and iPhone.

Texting

A close second, when it comes to essential features, is texting. For some, that’s even more relevant. iPhone only partially supports this feature. That means that you can’t send or receive SMS from your Galaxy Watch when connected to iPhone.

You can only get message notifications, but you can’t reply to the received message. Android devices, however, fully support messaging. If you’re an iPhone user with a Galaxy Watch, you won’t be able to text via the watch.

Email

The email feature comes only partially supported. And that’s kind of a disappointment for many. When you check your Galaxy Watch app, you’ll see that the “email” part is missing from the list. For people who rely a lot on emails, this could be a problem. On the other hand, you can get push notifications from email apps on your watch. And it’s not like typing an email on your watch is all that practical.

Fitness Tracking

Users love the Galaxy Watch because it comes with the workout and fitness tracking. And it’s good to know that iPhone fully supports this feature. The Samsung Health app helps you track your progress as well as your workout history. It’s good to know that there are over 30 preset workouts you can choose from, and they are all available on the iPhone.

Heart Rate Monitor & Sleep Tracking

Heart rate monitor is a standalone feature on the Galaxy Watch and doesn’t need an app on your iPhone. It also has an additional feature called Stress calculator, which uses the heart rate sensor. However, if you want to track the details, you’d be advised to use the Samsung Health app.

Samsung Galaxy Watch also has an inbuilt “Sleep” app, which automatically tracks your sleep. It records everything, and you don’t have to set the bedtime, as it does that for you. The app recognizes the REM phase of your sleep and does that pretty accurately. It’s a standalone feature, which means it doesn’t depend on the Galaxy Watch app on your iPhone. But you might benefit from the Samsung Health app, as it offers better tracking.

Music

For people who don’t go outside without their headphones, it’s a matter of great importance if the Galaxy Watch and iPhone are compatible in the music section. Good news – they are. There is no auto-sync feature, though, as it is the case with the Apple Watch. What you’ll have to do instead is load your music to your Galaxy Watch and use its native music manager app.

Voice Assistant

Samsung has its very own voice assistant, and it’s called “Bixby.” You can activate it with a simple “Hey Bixby” or “Hi Bixby” command. Alternatively, double press on the Home button of the Galaxy Watch.

When it comes to overall compatibility with the iPhone, it turns out it’s only partial. You can do simple things, like setting the alarm or making calls. But it’s not the same scope of features that you’d get with Siri if you were using an Apple Watch. But it all depends on how much you rely on the voice assistant in the first place.

How Well Do They Work Together?

Samsung Galaxy Watch and an iPhone can work together well enough. For users that want the maximum of features, that wouldn’t be the correct assessment. But for those who are content with being able to make a call and track their fitness, it is. Ultimately, Samsung devices support the Galaxy Watch 100%, though the iPhone does a lot too.

Which features are the most important to you when it comes to the Galaxy Watch? Have you tried pairing it with an iPhone? Let us know in the comments.