What Phones Is Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Compatible With?
The Galaxy Watch 5 works with any Android phone running Android 8.0 or higher. It is not compatible with iPhone—if you use iOS, you'll need to choose an Apple Watch instead.
Minimum Requirements
You need an Android phone and a few essential apps.
- Operating System: Android 8.0 (Oreo) or newer
- Required App:
Galaxy Wearablefrom Google Play Store - RAM: At least 1.5GB (2GB+ recommended)
- Bluetooth: 4.2 or higher (5.0+ recommended)
Samsung Galaxy Phones (Best Experience)
Samsung phones provide the full feature set with deep ecosystem integration.
Full Features Include:
- ECG monitoring (regional availability)
- Blood pressure monitoring (regional availability)
- Temperature tracking insights
SmartThingssmart home integrationGalaxy Budsseamless switching- Quick Share file transfers
- Samsung Cloud backup
Compatible Series: Galaxy S21 and newer, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip 3 and newer, Galaxy A52 and newer
Non-Samsung Android Phones
Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola, and other Android phones work with all core features.
What Works:
- Bluetooth pairing and notifications
- Health and fitness tracking including temperature sensor
- GPS tracking and navigation
Samsung Pay(NFC)- Google services (
Maps,Assistant,Play Store) - All third-party apps
Limited Features:
- ECG and blood pressure may require Samsung phone in some regions
- Some Samsung ecosystem features like SmartThings may be restricted
iPhone Not Compatible
The Galaxy Watch 5 does not work meaningfully with iPhone.
- No iOS version of
Galaxy Wearablewith full features - Only basic functions available (steps, notifications view-only)
- Cannot reply to messages, install apps, or use Samsung Pay
- If you use iPhone, purchase an Apple Watch instead
LTE Model Carrier Support
LTE models require carrier activation for cellular features.
Supported US Carriers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular
LTE requires a compatible cellular plan from your carrier (typically $10-15/month additional) and uses the same phone number as your phone.
Before You Buy
Download Galaxy Wearable from the Play Store on your phone before purchasing. If the app is available and installs successfully, your phone is compatible with the watch.
See Also: How to Pair Galaxy Watch 5|How to Connect Galaxy Watch 5