The right way to get Samsung-specific Galaxy Watch 4 options on a non-Samsung cellphone

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Basic are undoubtedly among the finest Put on OS smartwatches obtainable available on the market. It’s presently one of many solely smartwatches that run the most recent model of Google’s working system for smartwatches — Put on OS 3 — making it the go-to alternative for many Android smartphone customers searching for a premium smartwatch.

Sadly, the Galaxy Watch 4 doesn’t provide the identical expertise with non-Samsung telephones because it does when related to a Samsung Galaxy gadget. This makes it a lower than best buy for individuals who personal an Android smartphone from a special OEM. Fortuitously, you should utilize a few third-party apps and mods to get a number of the Samsung-exclusive options on the Galaxy Watch 4.

Which Galaxy Watch 4 options are unique to Samsung telephones?

Earlier than we get to the third-party apps and mods, let’s first take a fast take a look at a number of the Samsung-exclusive options you don’t get when related to a non-Samsung gadget.

Galaxy Watch 4 options that you just don’t get when related to non-Samsung units:

• ECG
• Blood stress monitoring
• Samsung Messages
• Digital camera controls
• Don’t disturb mode syncing
• Bedtime mode
• Make/obtain calls when not related to a cellphone by way of Bluetooth
• Customizable AR Emoji watch faces

Now that you understand what you’re lacking, let’s check out some workarounds and third-party apps to get a few of these options in your Galaxy Watch 4.

Profit from your Galaxy Watch 4 with a non-Samsung cellphone

Allow ECG and blood stress monitoring on the Galaxy Watch 4 with a non-Samsung cellphone

At first, we’ll discuss enabling ECG and blood stress monitoring on the Galaxy Watch 4 when related to a non-Samsung cellphone. ECG and blood stress monitoring are two of probably the most helpful Galaxy Watch 4 options, and never getting access to them simply since you don’t personal a Galaxy smartphone is a bummer. Fortunately, a modded model of the Samsung Well being Monitor app by XDA Senior Member Dante63 can repair that.

The modded Samsung Well being Monitor app allows each ECG and blood stress monitoring on the Galaxy Watch 4 when related to a non-Samsung gadget. Take a look at our in-depth tutorial on putting in the modded Samsung Well being Monitor app to allow ECG and blood stress monitoring on the Galaxy Watch 4.

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Allow BP sync on the Galaxy Watch 4 with a non-Samsung cellphone

Whereas the modded Samsung Well being Monitor app allows ECG and blood stress monitoring on the Galaxy Watch 4 with any non-Samsung gadget, it doesn’t allow BP sync. With out the function, your blood stress information received’t sync with the Samsung Well being app in your cellphone, making it tough to trace. Nonetheless, Dante63 has you coated. Observe the hyperlink for our step-by-step tutorial on allow BP sync on the Galaxy Watch 4.

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Use these third-party apps to get a number of the lacking options in your Galaxy Watch 4

Google Messages

Now that you’ve got enabled ECG and blood stress monitoring in your Galaxy Watch 4 and turned on BP sync, it’s time to maneuver on to the opposite options. As talked about earlier, the Galaxy Watch 4 doesn’t offer you entry to the Samsung Messages app if you’re related to a non-Samsung gadget. Fortuitously, you don’t must look too exhausting to seek out an alternate.

The Google Messages app is a superb alternative for the lacking Samsung Messages app, and it really works on the Galaxy Watch 4 even when related to a non-Samsung gadget. You possibly can obtain the app by opening the Play Retailer in your Galaxy Watch 4, looking for Google Messages, after which choosing the Set up button. The one disadvantage to utilizing Google Messages over Samsung Messages is that it lacks two options. The Google Messages app doesn’t provide assist for sending audio messages from the Galaxy Watch 4 or a shortcut that can assist you rapidly open a message in your cellphone. Sadly, you possibly can’t get these options with a third-party app.

Digital camera One: Put on, Galaxy Watch

When you don’t get entry to digicam controls on the Galaxy Watch 4 when related to a non-Samsung cellphone, you will get the identical set of options with the Digital camera One app. You possibly can obtain the app from the Play Retailer in your Galaxy Watch 4 and use it to preview the viewfinder in your watch’s display screen, click on photographs, seize movies, and even file audio.

The Digital camera One app encompasses a purposeful UI with buttons for all commonly-used digicam options proper on the viewfinder. Its default interface consists of shutter buttons that can assist you rapidly seize photographs and movies, together with buttons for the ability saving mode, timer, flash, zoom, publicity worth, white steadiness, and filters. The app opens the rear-facing main digicam by default and you may swipe down from the highest of the show to change to the selfie shooter.

Sadly, you possibly can’t get Don’t disturb mode syncing, Bedtime mode syncing, the power to make/obtain calls when not related to a cellphone by way of Bluetooth, and customizable AR emoji watch faces on the Galaxy Watch 4 utilizing third-party apps. However there are a few different third-party apps that you should utilize to reinforce your expertise additional. Take a look at the part under for a number of app suggestions and tricks to profit from your Galaxy Watch 4 when related to a non-Samsung cellphone.

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Miscellaneous apps and suggestions

Use Gboard as an alternative of the built-in keyboard app

The built-in T9 keyboard on the Galaxy Watch 4 is a blast from the previous and, frankly, it ought to’ve stayed there. It’s a ache to make use of, and also you’d be higher off putting in the Gboard app in your watch.

The Gboard app offers you entry to a full keyboard format in your watch’s show and the most effective half about it’s that it gives assist for swipe enter. It’s effectively optimized for the watch’s tiny show and gives a considerably higher typing expertise than the inventory keyboard app.

Launch apps and carry out actions quicker with Put on Gesture Launcher

The Put on Gesture Launcher app is a helpful app that permits you to open apps and carry out actions by drawing customized gestures in your Galaxy Watch 4 show. As an example, if you wish to open Google Maps, you must open the app drawer by swiping up on the homescreen after which tapping on the Google Maps icon within the app drawer.

With Put on Gesture Launcher, you are able to do so by merely tapping on the correct fringe of the show, irrespective of which web page you’re on, and drawing the Google Maps gesture. The app allows you to add customized gestures for all apps put in in your cellphone and some timer actions, like setting a brand new alarm, managing alarms, opening the timer, and opening the stopwatch.

Allow notifications just for important apps to enhance battery life

One of many largest drawbacks of utilizing a Put on OS smartwatch is the below-average battery life. Once I first began utilizing my Galaxy Watch 4, it barely lasted a full day and I needed to take it off whereas going to mattress to cost it again up for the subsequent day. Due to this, I couldn’t use the sleep monitoring function.

When you can’t do something to get the Galaxy Watch 4 to final a number of days like some health trackers with out sacrificing a number of options, you possibly can flip off notifications for all non-essential apps to eke out a couple of day and a half of use on a single cost. I personally solely have Telegram and Slack notifications enabled on my watch, and it now lasts me barely over a day and a half on a single cost, even with steady coronary heart price monitoring turned on.

Activate Airplane mode whereas charging to cost your watch quicker

One other difficulty that I encountered within the first few weeks of utilizing the Galaxy Watch 4 is the painfully gradual charging velocity. That’s why it initially made sense for me to cost the watch in a single day. However I can’t accomplish that anymore, since I put on it to mattress for sleep monitoring.

To beat this, I now activate Airplane mode once I put the watch on cost and I’ve observed that it prices barely quicker. You possibly can enhance the charging velocity additional by turning it off whereas it’s charging. However I discover {that a} bit inconvenient, so I’m sticking with Airplane mode. Fortunately, Samsung is reportedly doubling the charging velocity on the upcoming Galaxy Watch 5 lineup, so this shouldn’t be a difficulty if you happen to plan on upgrading to one of many newer fashions.

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That sums up our information on taking advantage of the Galaxy Watch 4 with a non-Samsung cellphone? Which of the following tips do you know already? Did you discover one thing helpful to reinforce your expertise? Tell us within the feedback part under.