Samsung smartwatches run on the Tizen OS, not Wear (formerly Android Wear), so the selection of apps is different from Android watches. However, Samsung owners have access to the Tizen Store and the Galaxy Apps Store, plus they can download compatible apps from Google Play. Here are some of the best apps for Samsung smartwatches.
Best Navigation App for Samsung Wearables: HERE WeGo – Offline Maps & GPS
HERE WeGo is a free navigation app with various features, including offline maps and driving directions with traffic information. It also offers transit times and pricing, car-sharing options and cost estimates, and biking and pedestrian directions. The app can even tell you critical information about your route, such as how hilly your cycling route is.
Detailed traffic data.
Transit information for over 1,000 cities.
Frequent updates.
Voice-guided navigation isn’t available in all areas.
Some users find the keyboard inconvenient.
Can hang.
Best Music App: Spotify – Music & Podcasts
Spotify is a popular music streaming platform. The company collaborated with Samsung to make a Galaxy app, so it works perfectly with your devices. It’s available for download via Galaxy Apps on your phone. Premium users ($9.99 per month) get offline listening, plus you can offload downloaded songs to your SD card to save space on the phone’s hard drive.
Download songs to your phone and smartwatch.
Great interface on the watch screen.
Non-premium users get limited song skips and intermittent ads.
Best Fitness App for Galaxy Phones: Run with Map My Run
Run with Map My Run by MapMyFitness tracks hundreds of activities. You can even track gear, such as running shoes, so you know when it’s time for a new pair. The best feature is that you can map out your runs and share them in the app so others can see where it’s pedestrian-friendly. You can also see routes uploaded by others and verify they’re up to date, including bike lanes, street closures, and construction. If you’re not into running, try out MapMyWalk.
Access to crowd-sourced running routes.
Compatible with MyFitnessPal for nutrition tracking.
Easy to use.
GPS tracking is not always accurate.
Can be buggy.
Limited support.
Best Fitness App for Samsung Wearables: Pear Personal Coach for Samsung
Pear puts interactive workouts on your wrist. You can use it to track activities or exercise with Pear coaches. The app can also measure your heart rate and encourage you to keep going or slow down.
Download workouts to your smartwatch.
Excellent support.
Choice of coaches.
No dark mode.
Primarily focused on running.
Cancelling a subscription can be challenging.
Conveniently, you can sign up using your Samsung account, so you don’t have to create another login. A Pear+ membership ($39.99 per year) gives you access to all of Pear’s workouts and training plans. The free version includes three workouts.
Best Smart Home App: SmartThings
If you have smart home devices, such as kitchen appliances, thermostats, light bulbs, or garage door openers, the SmartThings app is a must-have. Compatible with tons of devices, it lets you do things like turn on lights before you get home or open the garage when you pull into the driveway. Controlling your home from your watch is super convenient, especially if you’re driving.
Compatible with a range of devices.
Set up automated actions.
Frequently updated.
Primarily for Samsung devices.
Syncing can lag.
Not available for all watch models.
Best News App: News Briefing
This app from Flipboard gives you news based on topics that interest you, from technology to humor to parenting to cute animals. You must choose at least half a dozen topics to get started, but you can add or remove topics anytime. You also need to set up an account, either through email, Google, or Facebook.
Excellent news curation.
Broad range of topics.
Personalized summaries.
Newsfeed can be overwhelming.
Briefs infrequently updated.
Best Watch Face App: Facer Companion for Samsung Watches
When you have a smartwatch, you can change and customize its face as often as you want. While Samsung watches come with some options, the Facer app has many more. Options range from simple (just the time) to dashboard-style (time, temperature, steps, stopwatch, and more). Plus, there are plenty of fun ones, with pop art designs and holiday themes. You can also design and publish a watch face.
Hundreds of watch faces.
Easily swap faces.
Intuitive.
Interface is a little busy.
May hang.
Limited support.
Best Timer and Alarm Clock App: Clock
While your smartphone and smartwatch can give you the current time, Samsung’s clock app includes an alarm clock, timer, stopwatch, and world clock. Set the alarm to vibrate for a gentle wake-up if you wear your watch at night or use the timer or stopwatch while working out. Finally, get the local time and weather for your favorite cities worldwide, so you know what to pack on your next trip.
Excellent timer.
Handy stopwatch.
Live weather updates.
Snooze button is difficult.
Not customizable.
No alarm sound options.
Best App for Quick Math: Calculator
The Samsung calculator app is perfect for your wrist, whether you’re calculating the tip after a meal or need to add some figures on the go. You can also use it for unit conversion (tap the ruler icon) and see your history.
Convenient.
Unit conversion tool.
Easy to use.
Limited functionality.
Not customizable.
Not a scientific calculator.
Best Messaging App: WhatsMedia Audio and Voice Notes from WhatsApp
WhatsApp, owned by Facebook, is a free messaging app for mobile and desktop with many convenient features. WhatsMedia Audio and Voice Notes from WhatsApp allow you to receive WhatsApp Audio and Voice Notes media directly to your Samsung watch.
Full audio control.
Store up to 15 media files locally to listen.
Contact name and icon from WhatsApp.
Not associated with the official Whatsapp application.
Limited updates.
Not compatible with all watch models.
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