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Top Secret: How to Connect Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 with iPhone

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • This guide will walk you through the process of connecting your Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 to your iPhone, covering all the essential steps and tips.
  • This app serves as the bridge between your iPhone and your Galaxy Watch 3, allowing you to manage settings, customize watch faces, and track your fitness activities.
  • You won’t be able to directly integrate your Galaxy Watch 3 data with the Samsung Health app on your iPhone.

Are you the proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and an iPhone? You might be wondering if you can connect them – the answer is yes, but it’s not as straightforward as connecting two Android devices. This guide will walk you through the process of connecting your Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 to your iPhone, covering all the essential steps and tips.

Download the Galaxy Wearable App

The first step is to download the Galaxy Wearable app from the App Store. This app serves as the bridge between your iPhone and your Galaxy Watch 3, allowing you to manage settings, customize watch faces, and track your fitness activities.

Turn on Bluetooth on Your iPhone

Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone. You can do this by going to the Settings app, tapping on Bluetooth, and toggling the switch to the “on” position.

Put Your Galaxy Watch 3 in Pairing Mode

On your Galaxy Watch 3, swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Panel. Tap the Settings icon (the gear symbol), and then navigate to “Connections” > “Bluetooth.” Tap on the “Add a new device” option to put your watch in pairing mode.

Connect Your Watch to Your iPhone

Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your iPhone. You should see your Galaxy Watch 3 listed under “Available Devices.” Tap on it to initiate the pairing process.

Accept the Pairing Request

Your iPhone and Galaxy Watch 3 will display a pairing request. Accept the request on both devices to complete the connection.

Setting Up Your Watch with Your iPhone

Once the pairing is complete, you’ll be guided through a series of setup steps. This includes choosing your preferred language, setting up your watch face, and customizing notifications.

Utilize the Galaxy Wearable App

The Galaxy Wearable app serves as your control center for your Galaxy Watch 3. Here’s what you can do with it:

  • Change Watch Faces: Explore a wide range of watch faces, from classic to modern, and personalize them with different colors and complications.
  • Manage Notifications: Choose which apps send notifications to your watch.
  • Track Your Fitness: Monitor your steps, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more.
  • Control Music Playback: Play, pause, and skip songs on your iPhone directly from your watch.
  • Use Samsung Pay: If your watch supports Samsung Pay, you can make payments directly from your wrist.

Limitations of Connecting a Galaxy Watch 3 to an iPhone

While you can successfully connect a Galaxy Watch 3 to an iPhone, there are some limitations to consider:

  • Limited Functionality: Compared to using a Galaxy Watch 3 with an Android phone, some features might not work as expected. For example, you might not be able to use Samsung Pay or receive notifications from all your apps.
  • No Google Assistant: You won’t have access to Google Assistant on your Galaxy Watch 3 when connected to an iPhone.
  • No Bixby Integration: Bixby, Samsung’s voice assistant, is not available on the Galaxy Watch 3 when paired with an iPhone.
  • No Samsung Health Integration: You won’t be able to directly integrate your Galaxy Watch 3 data with the Samsung Health app on your iPhone.

Tips for Connecting Your Galaxy Watch 3 to iPhone

  • Ensure Compatibility: Before purchasing a Galaxy Watch 3, confirm that it is compatible with your iPhone. Most Galaxy Watch 3 models are compatible with iPhones running iOS 9.0 or later.
  • Keep Your Devices Updated: Always update your iPhone and Galaxy Watch 3 to the latest software versions for optimal functionality and security.
  • Troubleshoot Connection Issues: If you encounter any connection issues, try restarting both your iPhone and Galaxy Watch 3. You can also check the Bluetooth settings on both devices to ensure they are properly paired.
  • Experiment with Different Watch Faces: Explore different watch faces to find the one that best suits your style and needs. You can download additional watch faces from the Galaxy Wearable app.

The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?

Connecting a Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 to an iPhone is possible, but it comes with certain limitations. If you’re looking for a full-fledged smartwatch experience with all the bells and whistles, you might be better off considering an Apple Watch. However, if you’re primarily interested in using your Galaxy Watch 3 for basic fitness tracking, notifications, and music control, it can still be a worthwhile option.

Questions We Hear a Lot

Q: Can I use Samsung Pay on my Galaxy Watch 3 with an iPhone?
A: No, Samsung Pay is not available on Galaxy Watch 3 when connected to an iPhone.
Q: Can I use Bixby on my Galaxy Watch 3 with an iPhone?
A: No, Bixby is not available on the Galaxy Watch 3 when paired with an iPhone.
Q: Will my Galaxy Watch 3 data sync with Samsung Health on my iPhone?
A: No, you won’t be able to directly integrate your Galaxy Watch 3 data with the Samsung Health app on your iPhone.
Q: What are the other limitations of connecting a Galaxy Watch 3 to an iPhone?
A: Besides the limitations mentioned above, you might also experience reduced battery life and slower performance compared to using the watch with an Android phone.
Q: What are the alternatives to connecting a Galaxy Watch 3 to an iPhone?
A: If you want a fully integrated smartwatch experience with your iPhone, consider purchasing an Apple Watch. Alternatively, you can explore other Android smartwatches that are compatible with iPhones, such as the Fitbit Sense or the Garmin Vivoactive 4.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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