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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To put your own photo on a Galaxy Watch Active2, send the image from your phone with the Galaxy Wearable app. Then choose the My Photo+ watch face on the watch and crop the picture to fit. Samsung also offers a separate feature, My Style. It doesn’t show your photo. It builds a color pattern from an outfit picture. The steps for both are below.
My Photo+ or My Style: which one do you want?
| Feature | What it does | Where you set it up |
|---|---|---|
| My Photo+ | Shows your own pictures as the watch-face background. Up to 20 photos can rotate. | Galaxy Wearable app to send images, then the watch face’s Customize screen |
| My Style | Takes a photo of an outfit and changes the face to match colors taken from it. You choose from five color patterns. | Galaxy Wearable app |
If you want to see a picture of your family, pet or trip on your wrist, use My Photo+. If your question is “How do I create a watch face based on my clothes?”, use My Style. Both details come from Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active2 user manual (2019) and Samsung’s launch announcement on the Samsung Global Newsroom (2019).
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How to set a picture as your watch face with My Photo+
Step 1: Send the pictures from your phone
- Open the Galaxy Wearable app on the phone paired with the watch.
- Go to Home → Add content to your watch → Send images.
- Select the images you want and tap Done.
The manual also describes automatic syncing of selected albums. Albums sync only when the watch has more than 15% battery left. If new pictures don’t show up, charge the watch first.
Step 2: Apply My Photo+ on the watch
- Press and hold the current watch face.
- Swipe through the faces until you reach My Photo+, then tap Customize.
- Tap the screen, choose Add photo and select an image.
- Confirm with OK → OK.
Step 3: Frame the picture
- Swipe the bezel, or pinch and spread two fingers, to zoom.
- Swipe the image to move the visible area. Keep the subject near the center, because the display is round and crops the corners.
- Add more images if you like. The manual says up to 20 can be added, and they rotate.
- Swipe the screen to change the clock color or font, then tap OK.
If you can’t find Customize
The manual says customization isn’t available while you are rapidly swiping through the face list. Select the face normally and let it settle on screen. Then open its customization controls. Menu names and available faces can vary with your software version.
#1 Best Overall
- PUSH PAST YESTERDAY: Looking for a great way to bring out your personal best every day. Challenge yourself to excel on your next run or bike ride using tracking with Galaxy AI¹ that lets you compare your current performance to your last one²
- START YOUR DAY WITH YOUR ENERGY SCORE: Know how ready you are to take on the day using your personalized Energy Score with Galaxy AI¹; It calculates today’s physical readiness based on what you did yesterday
- KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON YOUR HEART HEALTH: Get the most out of your fitness workouts using improved Heart Rate Tracking³ with Galaxy AI¹ that filters out your body’s movements for a more accurate reading
- GET A BOOST TOWARD YOUR GOALS: Stay on track toward your goals using personalized suggestions from Wellness Tips⁴; Your Watch collects the insights and then they’re analyzed on your phone
- BETTER SLEEP. A HEALTHIER YOU: Learn better habits for more restful nights using sleep tracking⁵ with Galaxy AI¹ — it also helps detect moderate to severe sleep apnea⁶; Get helpful insights collected by your Watch and analyzed by your phone
Other ways to switch faces
Besides pressing and holding the face, the manual lists choosing faces in the watch’s settings. You can also use Watch faces or Discover in Galaxy Wearable. More faces can be downloaded from Galaxy Store. Samsung’s pages reviewed here don’t confirm current store availability in every region.
How to match your watch to an outfit with My Style
Samsung’s announcement describes this flow in Galaxy Wearable. Take a photo of your outfit and choose one of five color patterns. The face then changes to match colors extracted from the photo. You can save a favorite style. Samsung’s pages reviewed don’t give the exact menu path, so follow the labels in your version of the app.
Rank #2
- WHY GALAXY WATCH8: Advanced health and sleep tracking features.* A lighter, more snug design for all day comfort.* Improved user interface.* Personal AI assistant for hands free help.⁴* 2-Year Warranty.
- SLEEP SMARTER. LIVE BETTER: Energize your days with a great night’s rest using Advanced Sleep Coaching¹ - improved with even more ways to keep your nights on track. Plus, Bedtime Guidance² helps you find your optimal bedtime.
- YOUR RUN, YOUR COACH: Step up your running routine with a Running Coach³ that analyzes your performance and gives you real-time feedback. Training for an event? Try specific programs built for 5Ks, marathons and more.
- NEW DESIGN. LIGHTWEIGHT FEEL: Maximize your days with a minimalist design. The sleek, thinner-than-ever silhouette makes Galaxy Watch8 look as good as it functions. With a snug fit and sporty style, it gives you readings without getting in your way.
- A PERSONAL ASSISTANT, RIGHT ON YOUR WRIST: Your Watch just became your personal assistant.⁴ Stay one step ahead of your day with a watch that helps you navigate your tasks and to-do lists.
Change the look further with a strap
A different strap is an optional way to complete the look. The Active2 came in 40 mm and 44 mm sizes (Samsung Global Newsroom, 2019). Check which one you own before buying a band, and confirm the connector fits. You don’t need to buy anything else for the photo features.
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One-click scans. No signup required.
Keep your software current
Samsung’s firmware history for the SM-R820 lists a Tizen 5.5.0.2 update, build R820XXU1FWK2, released 26 December 2023. That record covers that model only. It doesn’t show the newest firmware for every model or region, and Samsung says update contents can differ by model, country and provider. If a menu doesn’t match these steps, check for updates in the watch settings and in Galaxy Wearable.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Vibrant 1.6” AMOLED Display – Large, high-res screen with smooth touch for easy navigation
- 5ATM & IP68 Water Resistance – Swim-ready and dust-resistant for active lifestyles
- Up to 14 Days Battery Life – Powerful 208mAh battery for long-lasting performance
- 101+ Workout Modes with Auto Detection – Automatically tracks common workouts for seamless fitness tracking. Advanced Health Tracking – Includes sleep coaching, SpO2, heart rate, and snore detection
- International Model No Warranty in the US. ONLY compatible with Android devices. Samsung Pay - Not Supported. NOT compatible with iPhone or iOS devices.
Rank #4
- PUSH PAST YESTERDAY: Looking for a great way to bring out your personal best every day? Challenge yourself to excel on your next run or bike ride using tracking with Galaxy AI¹ that lets you compare your current performance to your last one²
- START YOUR DAY WITH YOUR ENERGY SCORE: Know how ready you are to take on the day using your personalized Energy Score with Galaxy AI¹; It calculates today’s physical readiness based on what you did yesterday
- KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON YOUR HEART HEALTH: Get the most out of your fitness workouts using improved Heart Rate Tracking³ with Galaxy AI¹ that filters out your body’s movements for a more accurate reading
- GET A BOOST TOWARD YOUR GOALS: Stay on track toward your goals using personalized suggestions from Wellness Tips⁴; Your Watch collects the insights and then they’re analyzed on your phone
- BETTER SLEEP. A HEALTHIER YOU: Learn better habits for more restful nights using sleep tracking⁵ with Galaxy AI¹ — it also helps detect moderate to severe sleep apnea⁶; Get helpful insights collected by your Watch and analyzed by your phone
Rank #3
- LTE Unlocked (carrier agnostic) - with LTE connectivity, you can leave your phone behind
- Samsung Galaxy watches feature the Tizen OS. Samsung’s proprietary OS is flexible. If your organization has a mix of Android and non-Android smarphones, the Tizen-equipped Samsung watches will be compatible with all devices. ch Active2. Its advanced sensors keep your pace to help you better achieve your run goals.
- Comfortably sleek the Galaxy Watch Active2 is light enough to wear anywhere comfortably. It comes in aluminum casing and with a variety of faces, bands and finishes so it goes with anything.
- Keep your beat. You can see if your heart rate is where you want it with Galaxy Watch Active2. Get automatically alerted if your watch detects a high or a low heart rate. This Device and related software are not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease
- Battery built for endurance The Galaxy Watch active2’s long-lasting battery can go for more than a Day on a single charge, and you can always get a quick boost from your compatible Galaxy phone with wireless power share. Works with Qi compatible Samsung
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