7 Galaxy Watch Features You Lose on Non-Samsung Phones

If you are considering buying a Samsung Galaxy Watch without a Samsung Galaxy phone, here is a list of all features you will miss out on. Make informed decision.

1. No Access to ECG and Blood Pressure Monitoring

Samsung Watch have ECG and blood pressure monitoring features. However, both are accessible only through the Samsung Health Monitor app, which is exclusive to Samsung Galaxy phones. If you use a non-Samsung phone, the watch will not track health metrics and ask you to get a Samsung phone.

You may install a modified Health Monitor app on any Android phone to use ECG and blood pressure monitoring but at your own risk. This workaround also enables blood pressure monitoring in countries like the US where it is otherwise unavailable pending FDA approval.

2. Missing Camera Controls

The Camera Controller app is installed on the watch by default when you pair a Samsung Watch with a Samsung Galaxy phone. It allows you to preview the camera feed, take photos, record videos, and check the results directly from the watch.

However, this feature is only available with Samsung phones. While there are third-party apps or GCam controllers, they are not as seamless or lag-free as the Camera Controller provided by Samsung.

3. No Automatic Sync for DND and Other Modes

Samsung offers different modes like Do Not Disturb (DND), Sleep, Theater, and Relax on both their watches and phones. These modes sync automatically between devices. However, this synchronization does not work with other Android phones.

To avoid distractions on non-Samsung devices, you must manually set the DND mode on both your watch and phone each time. There is no workaround to replicate this feature on non-Samsung phones.

4. Reminders Do Not Sync

Samsung Galaxy phones and watches come with a Reminder app. If you have a Samsung phone, reminders set on the phone will sync with your watch and vice versa so you will get notifications there and view event details. However, Reminder is not available on non-Samsung phones and cannot be sideloaded. You must set reminders directly on the watch or use a third-party app.

Google Keep can be an alternative, but its reminders are just notifications, whereas the Samsung Reminder app alerts take up the full screen, similar to receiving a call showing more details and act more like an interactive widget.

5. Don’t Have Access to Automation Routines

Routines on Samsung Galaxy phones can automate tasks like enabling Do Not Disturb mode when you reach office, turning off hall lights using SmartThings at 11 PM in night, etc. Similarly, you can set automations that involve your watch, like changing the watch face based on time or start an activity based on location. This feature is primarily a Samsung phone feature with the watch adding an extra layer. Other Android phones cannot access this feature and there are no third-party alternatives that can automate with your Samsung watch functions.

6. Cannot Create a Personalized AR Emoji Watch Face

A popular watch face on the Galaxy Watch is Samsung’s own AR Emoji watch face. It uses your animated version as a watch face that will move or show an animation when you get a notification or playing music.

If you have a non-Samsung phone, you can still use AR Emoji, but you’ll need to choose from available characters. Creating a personalized AR Emoji is limited to Samsung phones, so non-Samsung users cannot set a custom AR Emoji as their watch face.

7. You Lose Ability to Diagnose Your Watch

You need the Samsung Members app on your phone to diagnose Samsung Watch. For example, to test the battery status or whether your watch’s display, buttons, mic, or speakers are working fine. This app is only available on Samsung and cannot be sideloaded on other Android phones. There is no other way to diagnose your Watch.

Apart from these, all the remaining features work on a non-Samsung phone just like how they work when paired with a Samsung phone.