There are advantages to owning devices from the same ecosystem and a specific brand. For example, having an Apple Watch means you can receive messages from an iPhone without the smartphone being near you. However, some people just like to have the best of both worlds, and just like it’s possible to pair an Android phone to an Apple Watch, it’s also possible to pair certain Samsung wearables to an iPhone.
There are 10 different Samsung Watches paired with an iPhone, although users expecting something from Samsung’s modern lineup will likely be disappointed. Devices like the Galaxy Watch 7 or Watch Ultra use the Google Play Store, making them incompatible with iOS. In fact, many devices on the compatible list are already several years old: if the laptop is running Samsung’s wearOS, you won’t be able to pair it with an iPhone.
Users can still use these older devices, including models from lines like the Gear, Fit, Galaxy Watch, and Active series, but be aware that using these devices with an iPhone will require the Galaxy Wearable app. Fortunately, it’s available for free on the Apple App Store. Users won’t be able to take advantage of the latest features coming to a Galaxy Watch, but using an old device can save it from a landfill. Reaching the minimum iPhone and iOS standards should also be fairly straightforward. Here’s what you need to know.
Which Samsung wearable devices pair with an iPhone?
For watches compatible with an Apple smartphone, the list is rather short. From the Galaxy Watch series, only the original watch from 2018 is supported. However, the Galaxy Watch Active and Active 2 get the green light, but you’ll need to be using at least iOS 9 or newer with an iPhone 5 or later to get things going. If you’re using iOS 10 or later, the first-generation Galaxy Fit is also an option.
There are also some select models from Samsung’s Gear series, and they meet similar requirements. If you have an iPhone 5 or newer running iOS 9 or higher, you can pair a Gear Live, Gear S2, Gear Fit 2 Pro, Gear Sport, or Gear S3 to an iPhone. Of course, since you’re outside of the Samsung/Android ecosystem, be aware that not all features will work, especially receiving things like message and phone notifications from the Samsung cell phone.
Keep in mind that Samsung doesn’t support iPads or anything in the iPod touch line. Those who own an iPhone 6S or iPhone 6S+ may also have an unstable connection. If you see an “Unsupported Accessory” error, we might know exactly what to do. This list may not be good news for those who like cutting-edge technology, but those who own one of these smart wearable devices may want to pair it with an iPhone, or an older device may be good for young or old people who need it.
