If you’re wondering how to set up your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and make the most of all its features, you’ve come to the right place. Samsung’s smartwatches are brimming with exciting tools and features. Follow our extensive how to for using the Galaxy Watch 4. If you’re facing a particular glitch or issue, check out our guide to common Galaxy Watch 4 problems and solutions.
Though now outdone by Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 series, Galaxy Watch 4 devices pack plenty of features and refinement, including the latest Wear OS. We were very impressed by the lineup during our Galaxy Watch 4 review and still consider a watch from the series a valuable buy. This guide covers all the steps – from powering up to personalization – for getting the most out of your Galaxy Watch 4.
With extended battery life, there aren’t many reasons you’ll have to power your smartwatch on or off. If the need does arise, all it takes is the device itself.
To turn on your Galaxy Watch 4, locate the home button, (the top button with a red lining).
If after a few moments, your watch won’t power on, it may be out of battery.
Consider powering down your device if you anticipate an extended period of nonuse.
If you find yourself in a pinch, you can always conserve battery by putting your smartwatch into Power saving mode. This will turn off a number of features including Wi-Fi and decrease the brightness of your screen by 10 percent.
If times get really desperate, you can also disable everything on your device except a simple watch face for telling time. To do so, scroll down beyond the Power saving toggle and tap Watch only, then tap Turn on to confirm.
Pair your Galaxy Watch 4 to an Android smartphone to really get started setting up your new device. Using the Galaxy Wearable app, follow the steps below.
You will see prompts to activate your carrier’s service on your smartwatch. Follow the prompts to complete the activation process. You can always skip this step if you do not want service on your watch or if you have a Wi-Fi only model.
With more software features often coming down the pipe, it’s no surprise Samsung makes updating your Galaxy Watch 4 hassle-free. Set updates to occur automatically or follow the steps below to check for and install updates on demand.
Wipe your device clean in just a few taps. Resetting your Galaxy Watch 4 to factory settings will erase all personal data from the device for a completely fresh start.
To force reboot your Galaxy Watch 4, press and hold both the Home and Back buttons simultaneously for about seven seconds. Rebooting is a handy fix if your watch isn’t responding or if an app is acting up.
According to Samsung, your Galaxy Watch 4 battery should last you about 40 hours. Unfortunately, once you do run down the battery, it will take nearly two hours for a full charge.
As is the case with most smartwatches, charging the Galaxy Watch 4 is very straightforward. However, if you usually juice up your devices overnight, you may want to adjust your charging habits to take advantage of sleep tracking.
Make a statement. With fully customizable watch faces and interchangeable bands, you can personalize your Galaxy Watch 4 to a look that fits any style (and any occasion). Pair a funky watch face with a colorful strap or keep it classic with Roman numerals and a metallic band. With so many faces and bands to choose from, the combinations are endless.
The Galaxy Watch 4 offers a variety of customizable watch faces you can set up easily and on the go. Whether your focus is fitness or fun, choose a design that fits your needs and personalize it with colors and complications. Follow the directions below to change your watch face from a paired phone, or right on the device itself.
Many users will find it simpler to customize watch faces from a paired phone. The bigger screen makes for easier browsing of changeable options.
Tap Get more watch faces at the bottom of the watch faces screen to download or buy additional watch faces.
Scroll through the design options available right on your device. Some faces, like Big Number, only allow for simple color changes. Others, like Animals or Digital Dashboard, offer more room for complications.
From your face gallery, scroll all the way left and tap Get more watch faces to download or buy additional watch faces.
Changing bands is one of the most visually impactful ways to personalize your device. Plus, Galaxy Watch 4 bands come in a variety of styles and materials so you can accessorize with a band that fits your lifestyle.
To remove your band, lay your watch face down on a clean, nonabrasive work surface. If your current band allows, disconnect any clasps and lay the band sides flat.
Start by removing your current band, then follow the directions below to attach a new style. Swap in a metal band for classy events or go with a silicon option for sweaty sessions at the gym.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is an inherently great device, but what really sets it off are all the apps it supports. Make your device work for you by adding the media, fitness, and lifestyle apps you like best.
The Wear OS app library is substantial, with more Google apps available than ever before on a Samsung smartwatch. Download the best Wear OS apps that will make your watch work harder for you.
Add apps to your smartwatch from the Galaxy Wearable app on your paired smartphone.
New apps you add to your phone will automatically be added to your watch, but you’ll want to manually add apps you already had before setup. To do so, open the Google Play Store on your watch and tap Apps on your phone. From here you can add any apps with a watch counterpart.
You can also download apps directly onto your watch in the Google Play store.
Don’t let useless apps clog your library. Delete any apps you don’t use or that no longer serve you.
Use the Galaxy Wearable app to send music to your watch. Music files cannot be exported directly from a PC so make sure any tracks you want to add are on your phone.
You can also set up auto-syncing for new tracks by tapping the toggle under music.
Keep memories close by adding personal photos to your Galaxy Watch 4. You can even set a favorite shot as your watch face.
You can also set up auto-syncing for images by tapping the toggle under Gallery.
The Galaxy Watch 4 is a hub of useful health and fitness tracking, most of which you can set to your own preferences and goals. Tap into all the tools your device has to offer.
Start by customizing the settings in your Samsung Health app. Here you can choose what alerts you want to receive, how often you want measurements taken, and other health tracking settings.
Your watch will automatically track your steps and daily activity. You can also set targets to establish personal goals and stay on track.
Track your sleep stages overnight, and in the morning, your Galaxy Watch 4 will provide you with a sleep score.
If your Galaxy Watch 4 is paired to a Galaxy smartphone, you can also set it to provide snoring detection in conjunction with blood oxygen readings.
Take your heart rate measurements from a relaxed, seated position.
Keep track of your stress. The Galaxy Watch 4 can measure your stress levels for fitness and wellness purposes.
From your results screen, swipe up to access breathing exercises to help reduce stress. Choose the number of breath cycles you would like to complete and tap Breath to begin. A pulsing design and basic prompts will guide you through the exercise.
Do not use this feature if you are pregnant or if you have an implanted pacemaker or other implanted medical device.
If you have any concerns about your blood oxygen seek medical attention. Like most smartwatch SpO2 sensors, the Galaxy Watch 4 provides blood oxygen measurements for fitness and wellness purposes only.
Keep your credit, debit, and other cards right on your device with a digital wallet. Both Samsung Pay and Google Pay will even let you upload your Covid-19 vaccination card.
Samsung Pay makes for easy shopping. However, it is worth noting that the service only supports NFC payments at this time.
Once you’re all set, access Samsung Pay quickly to pay for items. Hold down the Back button on your watch and your cards will appear.
Thanks to the Google and Samsung Wear OS collaboration, Galaxy Watch 4 users can also download Google Pay. If this is your preferred digital payment option, follow the steps below to set it up.
Your Galaxy Watch can also help you stay in touch. Follow the steps below to make and receive phone calls on your device.
To place a call from a Bluetooth-only device you will need to be connected to your paired smartphone. With an LTE model, you can place calls without your phone nearby.
To answer an incoming phone call, simply swipe the green phone icon to the right. To decline an incoming phone call swipe the red phone icon.
You can also answer incoming calls on your watch and then transfer over. When call arrives, tap the three dots, then tap Switch to phone.
For such a complex and powerful tool, the Galaxy Watch 4 is actually quite simple to set up. The more you personalize your device to your own purposes, the harder the device will work for you. We also have high hopes that more tools and features from Google will continue to make their way to these watches.
