Reduced battery life on your Samsung smart watch
There are several reasons why your Galaxy Watch may be experiencing battery drain or have decreased battery life. For example, certain apps can increase battery consumption. Keep reading to learn more about how to increase your watch's battery life.
Inspect the watch and charger for physical or liquid damage. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and accessories, which are specifically designed for the device. The Watch cannot be charged properly with a third-party charger.
Perform a diagnostic
If your watch is paired with a Samsung phone you can use Samsung Members to perform a diagnostic on your watch battery. If it passes the test, you'll know the battery is in good condition.
Update your apps
Sometimes apps may have a bug that causes them to use excessive battery, make sure all your apps are up to date for the best performance.
Update your software
- From your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app. Depending on your watch, you will either tap Watch settings or tap SETTINGS tab. Then, tap About watch, and then tap Update watch software. Or, tap About Gear, and then tap Update Gear software.
- Tap Update now or Download updates manually, and then follow the on-screen instructions. If desired, you can choose to automatically update the software by turning on Auto update or Download updates automatically. The watch will disconnect during this time.
- After checking for software updates to your watch, check if any updates are available for apps installed on your watch.
- From your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app. Depending on your watch, you will either tap Watch settings or the SETTINGS tab. Then, tap Galaxy Store, and then tap More options (the three vertical dots) in the top right corner. Tap My page. If you haven't signed into your Samsung account, you will need to sign in.
- Tap Update, and then tap the Watch tab to view all apps with available updates. Tap Update all at the top of the screen. Alternatively, you can tap the Update icon next to an app to update it individually.
Turn off unused health trackers
Press the Power key on your watch, and then tap Samsung Health from the Apps screen. Swipe to and tap the health menu for the function to turn it off. When accessing a health menu, press the Back key on the watch twice to return to the main menu in the Samsung Health app.
- Sleep: Tap Settings at the bottom of the menu, turn the switch off, and then tap OK to confirm.
- Heart rate: Tap Auto HR Settings from the bottom of the menu, and then tap Never.
- Stress: Tap Auto stress settings from the bottom of the menu, and then turn the switch off.
Delete data and close background apps
Note: These steps do not apply to the Galaxy Fit.
From your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app. Depending on your watch, you will either tap Watch settings or the SETTINGS tab. Then, tap About watch or About Gear. Tap Storage, then tap CLEAN NOW, and then tap the Back (<) icon. Tap RAM, and then tap CLEAN NOW.
Check the network connections
Keep in mind that you turn off connectivity you may not be able to use certain apps and features that require a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Mobile network connection.
Press the Home key (Power key) on your watch, and then tap Settings from the Apps screen. Tap Connections, and then either turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, or set them to Auto. For LTE or 3G watches, turn off Mobile networks or set them to Auto also. Your watch will disconnect from your phone when Bluetooth is turned off.
If remote connection is turned on in the Galaxy Wearable app and you turn off Wi-Fi, your watch and phone will not remotely connect via Wi-Fi when Bluetooth is turned off.
If you turn off Mobile networks on an LTE or 3G watch, your watch will disconnect from your carrier's network service. (Your service subscription will not be affected.)
Turn off Watch always on
On your watch, navigate to Settings, and then tap Display. Tap the switch next to Always On Display.
Depending on your watch, you may need to tap Watch faces, Watch always on, and then tap the switch to turn off the feature.
Turn off voice wake-up in Bixby or Google Assistant
Depending on your watch, you'll can turn off voice wake-up in the voice assistant app (Bixby or Google). This step does not apply to the Galaxy Fit or earlier Fit models.
For Bixby, swipe up on the watch face, and then tap Bixby on the Apps screen. Then, tap Settings at the bottom of the screen. Tap Voice wake-up, and then tap the switch to turn off the feature.
For Google Assistant, swipe up on the watch face, and then tap Settings. Scroll down and then tap Google. Tap Assistant, then tap the switch next to "Hey Google" to turn it off.
Customize your notification settings
From your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app. Depending on your watch, you will either tap Watch settings or the SETTINGS tab. Next, tap Notifications, and then tap Advanced notification settings. From there, tap the switches next to Show with details and Turn on screen.
- Auto show details - When off, new notifications details will not be automatically shown.
- Turn on screen - When off, your watch screen will not turn on when notifications are received.
At the top of the notification menu, tap App notifications. Then, turn off the switch next to any apps you don't need to be notified for.
Turn on power saving mode
When power saving mode is turned on, your watch's Home screen will be displayed in grayscale and all functions will be turned off, except calls, messages, and notifications that use Bluetooth. Wi-Fi and mobile data will also be turned off, and performance will be limited.
Press the Home key (Power key) on your watch, navigate to Settings, and then tap Battery and device care. Depending on your watch, you may need to tap Battery or Battery management. Then, tap the switch next to Power saving.
On older models, you may need to tap Power saving, and then tap the checkmark to turn on power saving mode. To turn off Power saving mode, tap OFF from your watch's Home screen, and then tap the checkmark.
Do not expose your watch to temperature extremes
Exposing your watch to very cold or very hot temperatures can shorten the watch's battery life and could lead to damage.
Watch Only mode
You can extend the watch's daily battery life when needed by using Watch Only mode when resting, or not needing any smart functions. On your watch navigate to Settings, and then tap Battery & Device care. Tap Battery, and then tap Watch only. Scroll down and tap Turn on.
Contact Samsung Support
