Skip to main content

How to Measure Temperature on Galaxy Watch 5

The Galaxy Watch 5 includes a new infrared skin temperature sensor that automatically tracks your temperature during sleep. This feature is not available on the Galaxy Watch 4.


How It Works

Temperature tracking is automatic during sleep sessions.

  1. Wear your watch to bed (snug but comfortable fit)
  2. Sleep normally—the sensor activates automatically
  3. Temperature is tracked continuously throughout the night
  4. Data integrates with sleep stages and recovery metrics

The sensor measures wrist skin temperature (typically 30-34°C), not core body temperature. It's designed for wellness tracking, not fever detection.


Accessing Your Temperature Data

View temperature readings in Samsung Health on your phone.

  1. Open Samsung Health
  2. Tap the Sleep tile on the main screen
  3. View your most recent sleep session
  4. Scroll to the Temperature during sleep section

You'll see your average temperature, deviation from baseline, temperature curve throughout the night, and correlation with sleep quality.


Understanding the Data

Temperature readings provide wellness insights.

Normal Variation: ±0.5-1°C nightly variation is typical

Elevated Temperature May Indicate:

  • Early illness onset
  • Overtraining or poor recovery
  • Room too warm
  • Physical or mental stress

Lower Temperature May Indicate:

  • Good recovery and rest
  • Room too cold

It takes approximately one week of consistent wear to establish a reliable baseline.


Optimizing Accuracy

For best results with temperature readings:

  • Proper fit: Watch should be snug with sensor touching skin
  • Consistent position: Wear on same wrist in same position nightly
  • Clean sensor: Keep BioActive sensor clean and dry
  • Allow acclimation: Wait 30 minutes after putting on watch before sleeping
  • Stable environment: Maintain consistent bedroom temperature

Limitations

The temperature sensor has specific constraints.

  • Sleep only: Currently only tracks during sleep sessions
  • Not on-demand: Cannot take spot measurements during the day
  • Not medical-grade: Cannot diagnose illness or detect fever
  • Skin temperature only: Not core body temperature

See Also: Does Galaxy Watch 5 Have Temperature Sensor|What's New in Galaxy Watch 5