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How to Pair Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro with Phone

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro pairs with Android phones using the Galaxy Wearable app. Full outdoor features including GPX route import require Android—iPhone has limited compatibility.


Before You Start

Prepare both devices for pairing.

  • Charge watch to at least 30%
  • Enable Bluetooth on your phone
  • Install Galaxy Wearable from Google Play Store
  • Phone running Android 8.0 or higher
  • Keep devices within 1-2 feet during pairing

Pairing Steps

Follow these steps to connect your watch to your Android phone.

  1. Turn on the watch by holding the Home button for 2-3 seconds
  2. Select your language and accept terms on the watch
  3. Open Galaxy Wearable on your phone
  4. Tap Start the journey (or + icon if adding another device)
  5. Select Galaxy Watch5 Pro from the device list
  6. Verify the 6-digit passkey matches on both devices
  7. Tap OK on phone and checkmark on watch
  8. Sign in to your Samsung account (required for outdoor features)
  9. Grant permissions: Location, Contacts, Phone, Messages, Notifications, Storage
  10. Wait for initial sync (5-10 minutes)

iPhone Compatibility (Limited)

The watch offers limited functionality with iPhone. Critical outdoor features require Android.

What Works:

  • Basic fitness tracking (steps, heart rate)
  • View notifications (cannot reply)
  • Music control, timers, alarms

What Doesn't Work:

  • GPX route import
  • Turn-by-turn navigation
  • Track back feature
  • Samsung Pay
  • Reply to messages
  • Advanced health features (ECG, body composition)

After Successful Pairing

Verify connection and configure outdoor features.

Check Connection:

  • Solid blue Bluetooth icon on watch face
  • Galaxy Wearable app shows "Connected"
  • Send yourself a text to test notifications

Initial Setup:

  1. Update software: Settings Software update
  2. Configure GPS: Settings Connections Location Enable high accuracy
  3. Set up Samsung Pay
  4. Import first GPX route via Samsung Health

Troubleshooting Pairing Issues

If pairing fails, try these solutions.

Watch Not Found:

  1. Restart both devices
  2. Turn Bluetooth off and on
  3. Clear Bluetooth cache: Phone Settings Apps Bluetooth Storage Clear cache

Pairing Fails Repeatedly:

  1. Forget "Galaxy Watch5 Pro" in phone's Bluetooth settings
  2. Factory reset watch: Settings General Reset
  3. Update Galaxy Wearable app

Disconnects After Pairing:

  1. Disable battery optimization for Galaxy Wearable
  2. Grant all permissions to the app

See Also: How to Connect|What Phones Compatible