What app do I need for my smartwatch depends entirely on the brand of your watch and the phone you own. For an Apple Watch, you need the built-in Apple Watch app on your iPhone; for a newer Samsung Galaxy Watch (models Watch4 and newer), you need the Galaxy Wearable app on an Android phone; and for most Wear OS smartwatches, you need the Wear OS app on an Android phone.
Compatibility: will your phone and watch work together?
The most critical factor in choosing a smartwatch is whether it will work with your smartphone. An Apple Watch requires an iPhone and cannot be set up with an Android device. Apple states that Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 need an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 27 or later, and Apple Watch SE 3 needs an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later.
Newer Samsung Galaxy Watch models, including the Galaxy Watch4, Watch5, Watch6, Watch7, Watch Ultra, and Watch FE, are not compatible with iOS because they rely on Google Play services. These watches require an Android phone for setup. Wear OS watches, such as those from Google, Fossil, and other brands, also generally require an Android phone for initial setup. Wear OS app store listing information gives iPhone compatibility for the app itself, but the Wear OS site says Android is required for setup.
Older Samsung smartwatches, including the original Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Watch Active2, and Galaxy Watch3, do offer limited compatibility with iPhones. These models can be connected to an iPhone 5 or later running iOS 9 or above using the Samsung Galaxy Watch app from the App Store. The Galaxy Fit works with iPhone 7 or later running iOS 10 and above using the Samsung Galaxy Fit app. However, this connection uses Bluetooth Low Energy, which has lower bandwidth than an Android connection, so some features may be restricted. Samsung's developer page says the connection between a Galaxy Watch and iPhone is based on Bluetooth Low Energy, which has lower bandwidth than Android devices.
How to set up your smartwatch with its app
Setting up your smartwatch is a straightforward process once you have the correct companion app installed.
Apple Watch setup with iPhone
- Turn on your Apple Watch and bring it near your iPhone. Wait for the “Use your iPhone to set up this Apple Watch” message to appear on your iPhone screen, then tap Continue.
- If that message does not appear, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap All Watches, then tap Add Watch.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete pairing. Apple recommends updating your iPhone to the latest iOS, turning on Bluetooth, and connecting your iPhone to Wi‑Fi or cellular before starting.
Compatible Samsung watch setup with iPhone
- Install the Samsung Galaxy Watch or Samsung Galaxy Fit app from the App Store on your iPhone. Samsung's U.S. support says compatible iPhone users need to download Galaxy Wearable from the App Store.
- Open the app, tap START THE JOURNEY, and select your device from the list.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
For newer Samsung watches (Galaxy Watch4 and later), setup with an iPhone is not possible because the watches are not compatible with iOS.
What about fitness, messaging, and other features?
Once your smartwatch is paired with its companion app, that app becomes the central hub for managing all core functions. For Apple Watch, the Apple Watch app on your iPhone syncs all watch data, including fitness and health tracking. For compatible older Samsung watches connected to an iPhone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch app handles the same tasks, though the Bluetooth Low Energy connection may limit some health-tracking features and data transfer speeds compared to an Android connection. Samsung's developer page indicates iPhone support for Galaxy Watch apps is limited by Bluetooth Low Energy bandwidth, so some functions may be restricted.
Messaging and notifications are also managed through the companion app. You can read and respond to messages, view incoming calls, and receive app alerts directly on your wrist. The app handles the syncing and customization of which notifications appear on your watch. For deeper dives into specific features like detailed fitness metrics or notification management, you can find dedicated articles on those topics. If you are interested in broader comparisons, you can explore smartwatch and tracker comparisons to see how different models stack up. You might also want to understand specific metrics like Pai on smartwatch, which explains how some watches calculate your personal activity intelligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the companion apps free?
Yes, the official companion apps from Apple, Samsung, and Google (for Wear OS) are available as free downloads from their respective app stores. Some apps may offer in-app purchases for premium watch faces or features, but the core setup and pairing functionality is always free.
Can I use my smartwatch without the companion app?
Basic functions like telling time and step counting may work without the app, but you cannot set up the watch, sync data, receive notifications, customize watch faces, or access most advanced features without the companion app installed on your phone.
How do I use voice commands on my smartwatch?
Voice commands are available through the assistant built into your watch. Apple Watch uses Siri, and most Wear OS watches support Google Assistant. You must enable the voice assistant feature in your watch’s settings and grant the necessary permissions in the companion app on your phone.
What if my smartwatch brand is not listed here?
Most smartwatches from other brands, such as Fitbit, Garmin, or Amazfit, have their own dedicated companion apps. Search your phone’s app store for the brand name (e.g., “Fitbit” or “Garmin Connect”) to find the correct app for setup and daily use.
