How to Add Apps to a Galaxy Watch

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By
Yoona Wagener
Yoona Wagener
Yoona Wagener
Editor
  • Bowling Green State University

Yoona Wagener is a tech editor, writer, and product reviewer.

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Updated on December 1, 2022
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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What to Know

  • Watch4: Open Wearable app > select Store > choose app > Install or select Store icon on watch.
  • Watch3 or Active2: In Wearable app select Galaxy Store > choose app to download > Install.
  • Older models: In Wearable select Discover > Find More in the Galaxy Store > Watch > choose app > Install.

This article explains how to add apps to a Galaxy Watch using the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store the Galaxy Wearable app, depending on your Galaxy Watch model.

How Do I Add Apps to My Smartwatch?

Add apps to your Galaxy smartwatch using the Galaxy Wearable companion app.

These instructions and screenshots apply to a Galaxy Watch Active2 but largely resemble the process on newer and older Watch models.

  1. Scroll down on the app home screen and select Galaxy Store.

    Choose Store if you have a Watch4 model. On older Galaxy models, select Discover > Find more in the Galaxy Store > Watch. 

  2. Use the search bar or select the hamburger menu > Apps > and choose a category to browse apps.

    Accessing and browsing the Galaxy Store from the Galaxy Wearable mobile app.

  3. To download a particular app, select the search result > Install or the download icon (a downward arrow).

  4. Select Accept and Download to grant the app the necessary permissions.

    Options for downloading an app to a Galaxy Watch from the Galaxy Store.

    If you prefer to use your watch, browse and install apps from the Galaxy Store or Play Store from the Apps screen on your Galaxy Watch. Choose the appropriate store icon and select Install on the app you want to download.

How to Manage Apps on a Galaxy Watch

Once you’ve downloaded apps on your device, the Galaxy Wearable app offers fast customization.

Set app-specific preferences from the Apps tile that include rotary or list views, custom or newest-first arrangement, app settings (if available), and hidden apps from the Manage apps screen.

Options for managing apps on a Galaxy Watch from the Galaxy Wearable mobile app.

You can also uninstall apps in the Wearable app by selecting Apps > Manage apps > the trash can icon > Uninstall.

How Do I Get Google Apps on My Samsung Galaxy Watch?

If you have a Samsung Galaxy Watch4 or Watch4 Classic, you have easy access to Google apps such as Google Maps, which comes preinstalled.

Unlike prior-generation models, the Watch4 runs on Wear OS Powered by Samsung. This new ecosystem combines the Tizen OS and Wear OS operating systems.

If you have a Tizen OS Galaxy Watch, you might find luck with helper apps from the Galaxy Store that allow you to use Google services. One example is G-Voice Assistant, which enables you to use Google Assistant instead of Bixby.

Instead of accessing the Galaxy Store, the Watch4 operates exclusively with the Play Store. To search the Google Play store and add Google Apps, select Store in the Galaxy Wearable app or open the Play Store directly on your watch.

Some apps in the Google Play Store present the option to download directly to your phone and your watch at the same time when the two are connected. Look for a drop-down arrow on apps in the Play Store that have a Galaxy Watch counterpart. 

Can You Add Facebook to a Samsung Watch?

While there’s no official Facebook app for Samsung Galaxy watches, you could sideload the app.

If you prefer a workaround, enable Facebook Messenger notifications on your Galaxy Watch so you'll never miss a beat. To do so, make sure you have the latest version of both the Messenger and Galaxy Wearable apps.

  1. Open Watch settings > Notifications.

  2. Move the toggle to the On position next to Notifications if it's turned off.

  3. Select Apps to get notifications from > All > and move the toggle beside Messenger.

    Adjusting notification settings on a Galaxy Watch from the Galaxy Wearable app.

How Do I Sideload Apps on My Galaxy Watch?

If you’d like to sideload apps that aren’t available from the Galaxy Store or Play Store, you can enable developer mode and allow unknown app installations.

  1. Go to Settings > About Watch > Software on your Galaxy Watch.

  2. Select Software version five times.

    Accessing a Galaxy Watch's software version from the About Watch menu.

  3. You will see Developer mode turned on and a Developer Options section from Settings.

  4. Return to the About Watch settings and turn debugging mode on if you haven’t already.

    Developer mode and debugging options on a Samsung Galaxy Watch.

  5. In the Wearable app, select Watch settings > About Watch > Install unknown apps.

    Allowing unknown app installations on a Galaxy Watch from the Galaxy Wearable mobile app.
FAQ
  • How do I close apps on my Galaxy Watch?

    Press the Home button and select the Recent apps icon (overlapping circles). Press-and-hold the app and swipe up, or select the app and select the Close (-) icon depending on your model. To close all apps, select Close all at the bottom of your Recent Apps.

  • How do I delete apps on my Galaxy Watch?

    Press the Home button > select Recent apps > press-and-hold the app icon. Select Delete (-) in the pop-up menu > Accept (✓).

  • How do I rearrange the apps on my Galaxy Watch?

    Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone and go to the Home tab > select Apps > Reorder > press-and-hold apps to drag them to the desired location. When you're satisfied, select Save. To display most recent apps first, select App order > Most recent first.

  • How do I update my Galaxy Watch?

    To update your Samsung Galaxy Watch, open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone and go to the Home tab, then scroll down and select About watch > Update watch software.

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