Galaxy Watch Features Which Require a Samsung Phone
The question “what features” will I lose if I use Galaxy Watch 4/5 with a non-Samsung phone is raised very often. Alternatively, many people simply heard somewhere that “many” features of a galaxy watch require a Samsung phone.
Below is, as detailed, answer to this question, as I could provide. To make it simpler to read I use color coding:
🟩 – there are solutions which allow to to get wanted functionality
🟥 – there is no known solution
Camera Control 🟩
The Camera Control app on the watch works with flagship Samsung phones only. Formally, this limitation is not phone brand based as such.
Workaround: there are third party apps with similar functionality.
Synchronization of “DND” and “sleep” Modes 🟥
Synchronization of DND (do not disturb) and Sleep modes between the watch and the phone. When you activate (manually or automatically) on one device it is activated on another one (same for deactivation).
Workaround: none, I’m aware of
ECG, Blood Pressure Measurements and and Irregular HR Monitoring 🟩
ECG, Blood Pressure measurements and and Irregular HR monitoring are done using the “Samsung Health Monitor” app (do not confuse it with the “Samsung Health” app!). The app works with Samsung phones only. These features are also regulated by local authorities. Therefore they can be not available for you, even if you have a Samsung phone (for instance, BP is still not enabled in the US).
Workaround: there are instructions on the internet that explain how to install a modified Health Monitor app that works independently on a country and a phone model.
Device Diagnostic 🟥
Connected device diagnostic — a feature introduced in 2023. It is exposed via “Samsung members” app. The app is available on Samsung phones only. As a result, this diagnostic (from touch screen to battery remaining capacity) is not available for a non-samsung-phone users.
Workaround: So far, no known workaround
Contact’s Birthdays in Calendar 🟩
Contact’s birthdays can be shown in the default watch calendar app and tile when watch is paired with a Samsung phone.
Workaround: there are third party apps which can show birthdays on the watch (but not in the default calendar app). Google Calendar for WearOs shows then as well.
AR Emoji Watch Face 🟥
AR emoji watch face has much more “functionality” when used with Samsung phones. This is based on Samsung AR emoji app to create emojis based on your real view.
Workaround: none
Reminders Synchronization 🟥
Watch has a rather powerful app called reminders and which does exactly that — handles reminders. The app works well Independent on the phone brand. But Samsung phones do have a phone companion of the reminder app, and the apps keep data synchronized.
Workaround: to some degree WearOs version of google keep can be considered as a alternative solution, but it is not that powerful and useful on a watch. Therefore I put the “red” lable here
Automation using Bixby routines 🟥
Samsung phones have a built-in automation tool called bixby routines. Using this tool one can configure a routing which to change watch watchfaces automatically based on different triggers (article “How to change watch face of galaxy watch by time, place, and whatever you want” explains how you can do this).
Workaround: none
Participating in One UI Version Beta Testing 🟥
Samsung usually releases new major One UI version Galaxy Watches together with a new watch model in August. Few months early a limited beta program for existing watch models begins. To participate in this beta program one need to have a Samsung phone with Samsung members app installed (and be located in the US or Korea as well).
Workaround: none
All other watch features are phone-agnostic. And the watch has many of them. For example,
- my most important use cases — “How do I use my Galaxy Watch”.
- using galaxy watch for hiking — “A Long Hike with my Galaxy Watch”
- using galaxy watch for swimming — “Samsung Health: swimming statistic, calendar and your progress data”
- using galaxy watch in gym — “Galaxy Watch for Weight Training”
Other articles about Galaxy Watch and useful hints for them can be found HERE.
