This article explains how to add apps to a Samsung Galaxy watch via a connected Android phone or the Galaxy Watch itself.

What to Know

  • On phone: Open the Google Play store > Categories > Watch apps > choose app > Install. On watch: Swipe up > Google Play Store > magnifying glass > choose input method > enter app name.Next, select app from search results > Install.

How Do I Add Apps to My Galaxy Watch?

After you have set up your Galaxy watch and connected it to your phone, you can add apps through the Google Play store on your phone. The Google Play store has sections for Wear OS, watch apps, and watch faces, and you can also select your Watch as the target device to narrow down any search.

Here’s how to add apps to your Galaxy Watch using the Google Play store on your connected Android phone:

  • Make sure your Watch is turned on and connected to your phone.
  • Open the Google Play store on your phone.
  • Tap Categories.
  • Tap Watch apps.
  • Tap an app that you would like to add.
  • Tap the down arrow to the right of the install button.
  • Tap the box next to your watch if it isn’t already checked.
  • Some apps also need to be installed to your phone to work on your watch.
  • Tap Install.
  • Wait for the app to install.

How to Add Apps Directly From a Galaxy Watch

In addition to getting apps from the Google Play store on your phone, you can also access the Google Play store directly through your Galaxy Watch. The Google Play store is easier to navigate and read on your phone, but the version included on your watch is faster if you know the specific app that you want. The watch version of the Google Play store also lets you install watch versions of compatible apps that you already have on your phone.

Make sure your Watch is turned on and connected to your phone.

Open the Google Play store on your phone.

Tap Categories.

Tap Watch apps.

Tap an app that you would like to add.

Tap the down arrow to the right of the install button.

Tap the box next to your watch if it isn’t already checked.

Some apps also need to be installed to your phone to work on your watch.

Tap Install.

Wait for the app to install.

Here’s how to add an app directly from your Galaxy Watch:

  • Swipe up from the main watch face to access your apps.
  • Tap the Google Play store icon.
  • Tap the magnifying glass.
  • Tap an input method, i.e. the keyboard icon.
  • Say, write, or type the name of the app you want.
  • Tap the app in the search results.
  • Tap Install.
  • Some apps will be ready to use immediately, while others will prompt you to complete the setup process on your phone.

Why Does My Galaxy Watch App Say ‘Installing Soon’?

If you attempt to install an app on your watch using the Google Play store on your phone, and you see an “installing soon” message that won’t go away, there may be a connectivity issue. Check that Bluetooth is enabled and that your watch and phone are connected. If everything’s connected, you may need to force the installation on your watch.

Swipe up from the main watch face to access your apps.

Tap the Google Play store icon.

Tap the magnifying glass.

Tap an input method, i.e. the keyboard icon.

Say, write, or type the name of the app you want.

Tap the app in the search results.

Some apps will be ready to use immediately, while others will prompt you to complete the setup process on your phone.

Here’s how to fix the problem when a Galaxy Watch app says installing soon:

  • Open Google Play on your watch.
  • Tap Apps on your phone.
  • Scroll through the list, and tap the app you’re trying to install.
  • Tap the Install button if you see one.
  • If you see a downloading or installing message, that means the watch is already downloading or installing the app. The app will eventually be ready to use if you continue to wait.

What Apps Can You Download on Samsung Galaxy Watch?

You can download any compatible app on a Samsung Galaxy watch. That includes media apps like Spotify and Pandora, messaging apps, productivity apps, and more. Your Galaxy Watch has a built-in app store that you can use to download and install apps, or you can download apps to your watch through the Google Play store on your Android phone.

Open Google Play on your watch.

Tap Apps on your phone.

Scroll through the list, and tap the app you’re trying to install.

Tap the Install button if you see one.

If you see a downloading or installing message, that means the watch is already downloading or installing the app. The app will eventually be ready to use if you continue to wait.

Can I Put Facebook on My Galaxy Watch?

You can’t put Facebook on your Galaxy Watch, but you can receive notifications from both Facebook and the Facebook Messenger app if you have them installed on your phone.

Here’s how to get notifications from Facebook and Messenger on your Galaxy Watch:

  • Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.
  • Tap Watch Settings.
  • Tap Notifications.
  • Enable the Facebook toggle.
  • Enable the Messenger toggle.

Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.

Tap Watch Settings.

Tap Notifications.

Enable the Facebook toggle.

Enable the Messenger toggle.

  • How do I close apps on my Samsung Galaxy Watch?
  • From the Home menu, tap Recent Apps (the overlapping circles) to scroll through open apps. Tap the Minus (-) above an app to close it, or tap Close All.
  • How do I uninstall apps on a Samsung Galaxy Watch?
  • Go to the app screen, tap and hold the app you want to remove, then tap Delete. Some preinstalled apps cannot be deleted.
  • How do I connect my Samsung Galaxy Watch to my phone?
  • To connect your Samsung Galaxy Watch to a new phone, swipe up from the main watch face and tap Settings > General > Connect to new phone. Your watch can only be connected to one phone at a time, so you must reset it before you can set up a new phone.
  • What payment apps are available on a Samsung Galaxy Watch?
  • You can use Samsung Pay on your Galaxy Watch. That way, you can pay with you smartwatch instead of your phone.

From the Home menu, tap Recent Apps (the overlapping circles) to scroll through open apps. Tap the Minus (-) above an app to close it, or tap Close All.

Go to the app screen, tap and hold the app you want to remove, then tap Delete. Some preinstalled apps cannot be deleted.

To connect your Samsung Galaxy Watch to a new phone, swipe up from the main watch face and tap Settings > General > Connect to new phone. Your watch can only be connected to one phone at a time, so you must reset it before you can set up a new phone. 

You can use Samsung Pay on your Galaxy Watch. That way, you can pay with you smartwatch instead of your phone.

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