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How to Use Communication Features on WearOS

Your WearOS watch handles messages, calls, and emergency communication directly from your wrist. Most features work through your phone's connection, though LTE models can operate independently.

Handling Messages​

Messages appear as notifications and support multiple response methods.

  • Reading Messages: Notifications appear automatically on your watch when your phone receives them. Tap any notification to read the full message content. Scroll to see longer messages or message threads.

  • Reply Methods: Respond to messages using voice-to-text dictation, pre-written quick replies, AI-suggested smart replies based on message context, emoji selections, or voice messages in supported apps.

  • Managing Notifications: Swipe away notifications to dismiss them from your watch. Long-press a notification for options to mute that app or access notification settings.

Making and Receiving Calls​

Call handling varies based on your watch model and connection type.

  • Answering Calls: When a call comes in, tap the green phone icon or say Answer through Google Assistant. Tap the red icon or say Decline to reject the call. Calls audio plays through your watch speaker or connected Bluetooth earbuds.

  • Making Calls: Say Hey Google, call [contact name] or open the Contacts or Recent Calls app to dial manually. LTE models can make calls independently; Bluetooth-only models require your phone nearby.

  • Call Quality: Use your watch for brief calls in quiet environments. Speakerphone quality works well for short conversations but consider switching to your phone or earbuds for extended calls.

Emergency Features​

WearOS watches include safety features that can summon help when you need it.

  • Emergency SOS (Samsung): Press the side button 5 times rapidly to activate SOS. Your watch sends your location, photos from your surroundings, and a voice recording to your designated emergency contacts.

  • Fall Detection: When enabled, your watch detects hard falls and displays an alert. If you don't respond within 60 seconds, it automatically calls emergency services and shares your location with emergency contacts.

  • Emergency Calling: Say Hey Google, call 911 or use the emergency dialer in your watch settings to call emergency services directly. LTE models can make emergency calls without your phone.

  • Medical ID: Configure your medical information in the Samsung Health or Fitbit app so first responders can access allergies, medications, and emergency contacts from your watch's lock screen.

See Also: WearOS Making Calls Guide|WearOS Notification Guide|WearOS Google Assistant Guide

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