Apps – Android Authority
The Samsung smartwatch ecosystem is one of the more established wearables platforms out there. Lead by the Galaxy Watch 3, Samsung’s wearable lineup packs a host of features for health tracking, customization, and more. There are a fair amount of Galaxy Watch apps available to install. Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness or control your army of smart home gadgets, these are the best Samsung Galaxy Watch apps available.
Most of the apps in this list are compatible with Samsung’s entire Galaxy Watch lineup, including the Galaxy Watch 3, original Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active 2, and Galaxy Watch Active.
The best Samsung Galaxy Watch apps
Calculator
Price: Free
A calculator on your wrist is super handy. While perhaps not an essential app, Samsung’s Calculator app does allow users to complete basic mathematic functions on the run. The app also has a built-in tip calculator, which makes calculating dinner time overheads a little easier. It’s an extremely lightweight app, too, so it’s well worth the install.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
Facer
Price: Free
Customization is part of the smartwatch experience, so an app that allows you access to various styles is a must. Facer does just that. Already established as a Wear OS app, Facer is also available to Samsung Galaxy watch users and provides similar functionality.
The app allows users to tweak various elements of their watch face, sample a bevy of designs from other users, and create their own faces if they’re so inclined. Facer requires a companion app for Samsung watches and the primary app for Android phones.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
Here WeGo
Price: Free
Here WeGo is the most popular mapping app on the Samsung Galaxy Store. The app provides watch users with a real-time, interactive map complete with audio navigation and alerts. Offline maps support also makes Here WeGo an excellent companion for tourists, while traffic info lets you better understand how long a taxi across town may take.
Although it’s not quite Google Maps and lacks that social aspect, Here WeGo is an excellent navigation app in a pinch for the Galaxy watch.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
Related: Samsung buyer’s guide — Everything you need to know
MapMyRun
Price: Free
Under Armour’s MapMyRun is another quintessential app for regular runners. While it does lack the versatility of Strava, it provides specific and acute details catering to runners. This includes real-time stats. MapMyRun uses the Samsung Galaxy watch’s onboard GPS to compute distance traveled and pace, too. Heart rate monitoring, a live map, and goal-setting smarts add to the experience.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
Shake Launcher
Price: $0.99
Shake Launcher transforms shake gestures to shortcuts to quickly load apps on your Samsung Galaxy watch. Although it’s a paid app, it does add a pretty smart level of interaction to the watch. Shake Launcher lets users launch set apps after several predetermined shakes of the wrist. These movements can be anything from one shake up to 10.
The app can also function when the screen is off, and a delay can also be added to ensure you don’t open the same app continuously. It’s great if you hate navigating your display or want to launch key apps as quickly as possible.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
SmartThings
Price: Free
Samsung SmartThings is a must-have app for those who own other Samsung smart home devices. For instance, air conditioner owners can adjust the thermostat from their wrists. Those who own Samsung washing machines can get a real-time status update on the washing cycle. SmartThings also lets users control the brand’s smart TVs and command smart lights. The app turns your Samsung Galaxy watch into a mobile command center.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
Spotify
Price: Free / Premium Spotify account required for some features
As one of the most popular music streaming services, Spotify may be one of the most obvious installs for Samsung Galaxy Watch users. The service has a capable wrist app, too. Premium users can download tracks and podcasts to the watch itself and stream them to wireless earphones. It’s a perfect combination for those who like catching up on charts while running or doing chores around the house. Of course, you need to pay for a Spotify membership to download tracks and peruse the full library, but this app might make it worthwhile.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
Strava
Price: Free
Strava is an incredibly versatile app for your Samsung Galaxy watch. It tracks a number of physical activities, from cycling to running, hiking, or swimming. Strava also provides more acute details of those activities, allowing more serious users insight into their training regimes.
If you want to get fit, it also adds context to your experience by providing average speed, distance, and other indicating factors. Although Samsung already has its own Health app, Strava is an excellent addition for more serious users.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
Related: The best fitness trackers you can buy
Voice Recorder
Price: Free
Voice Recorder lets users quickly record bright ideas when a phone or a writing pad aren’t nearby. It uses the Samsung Galaxy Watch’s microphone to record brief audio snippets. Activate the app, hold the watch to your mouth, and speak to it. You can tap the stop button if complete or pause if you’re interrupted.
If you’re worried about occupying storage space on your phone, the app will offload the data to your Samsung phone when possible.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
Wrist Flashlight
Price: Free
Wrist Flashlight is as simple as apps get. As its name suggests, it turns your Samsung Galaxy watch into a torch or accent light. It’s excellent if you need dim light to navigate dark areas or alert motorists of your presence while on a nighttime run.
Unlike other torch apps for Galaxy watches, Wrist Flashlight can also glow red, orange, or blue, along with the more traditional white. Brightness can also be adjusted by using the watch bezel or display, so you don’t blind fellow passengers or yourself during nighttime flights.
Get it on Samsung Galaxy Store
That’s it for our list of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch apps. If we missed your favorite app, be sure to let us know in the comments. You can also click here to check out our latest Android apps and games lists.
Next: The best smartwatches you can buy
