Recommended Free Tools
Start with the settings that shape your everyday experience: choose which apps can notify you, decide how the screen wakes and stays on, and review battery-saving options. Then set up Sleep mode, consider a screen lock, and use Water lock when swimming. This is a useful starting order—not a universal preset. The best choices depend on what you use your watch for, and settings vary by model, software, phone, and region.
1. Choose which apps can notify you
Trim alerts at the source before changing how the watch displays them. In the Galaxy Wearable app, open Watch settings > Notifications > App notifications, then turn off apps that do not need to reach your wrist. Samsung’s notification guide also describes options for showing notification details automatically and turning on the screen when an alert arrives.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Keep alerts visible for apps you rely on; silence the ones that add distraction. Turning off screen wake or automatic details can make notifications less intrusive, but you may need to tap the watch to read them.
2. Set screen wake and display to suit you
Review Always On Display, brightness, screen timeout, and wake gestures such as raise wrist to wake. An always-visible screen or motion-based wake is convenient; less screen activity can help conserve battery. There is no single best combination for everyone.
#1 Best Overall
![Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 40mm Bluetooth Smartwatch, Cushion Design, Quick Button, Sleep Coaching, Now Bar, Running Coach, Energy Score, Graphite [US Version, Amazon Exclusive 2Yr Warranty]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41pVUmtVzHL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
Look under the watch’s display settings for the controls available on your model. Samsung’s display guide covers controls including screen timeout and touch sensitivity. Options and labels can differ between watches.
3. Make battery-saving changes selectively
If battery life is your priority, start with display and notification behavior, then consider whether you need every automatic measurement and connection. Samsung lists possible adjustments such as dimming the screen, disabling Always On Display, limiting notifications, changing connectivity, turning off voice wake-up, and reducing automatic heart-rate or stress measurements in its battery troubleshooting guidance.
Rank #2
- TRACK HEALTH PATTERNS¹ IN YOUR SLEEP WITH VITALS²: Stay aware of the subtle changes in your body with Vitals¹–it tracks health metrics while you sleep, catches shifts from your usual patterns, and provides tailored guidance based on the insights.²
- A PERSONALIZED COACH FOR YOUR FITNESS GOALS: Whether you're building endurance for a long trek or training to build muscle, Fitness Index³ delivers tailored guidance based on your fitness level goals. Finally, train smarter with your fitness watch.
- EVERYDAY AI ASSISTANCE, SIMPLIFIED: With the Galaxy Watch9, you can just raise your wrist, start talking naturally and get instant AI assistance⁴—no wake phrase needed. This smart watch won’t slow you down.
- ONE PERSONALIZED SCORE TO KNOW YOUR HEART BETTER: Instead of checking multiple metrics separately, track the single Heart Health Score⁵ based on sleep time, BMI, activity and vascular load to stay aware of your wellness.
- TRACK YOUR NIGHTS. OWN YOUR DAYS: Galaxy Watch9 gives you personalized recommendations and habit-building guidance with Advanced Sleep Coaching.⁶ Plus, Bedtime Guidance⁷ helps you find your optimal bedtime so you can wake up feeling refreshed.
Power Saving mode is a broader tradeoff: it limits features, wireless connections, and performance. Reducing automatic health measurements also means giving up some automatic data collection. Choose those changes only if the extra battery life matters more to you than the affected features. Samsung does not provide a universal measured battery-life gain for any one adjustment.
4. Set Sleep mode—and configure sleep tracking separately
Sleep mode is for reducing interruptions at night while leaving alarms available. On supported Wear OS models, Samsung says it can be scheduled. Older watches may use a different name, such as Goodnight mode; check the closest equivalent in your watch’s silent-mode settings. See Samsung’s silent modes guide for supported options.
Rank #3
![Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 40mm Bluetooth Smartwatch, Cushion Design, Quick Button, Sleep Coaching, Now Bar, Running Coach, Energy Score, Silver [US Version, Amazon Exclusive 2Yr Warranty]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31LaWf6wVqL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
Sleep mode is not the same as sleep tracking. Sleep tracking is configured through Samsung Health; Samsung documents optional blood oxygen during sleep and snore detection on Wear OS models. Snore detection requires setup involving the connected phone. The available tracking features depend on the model and software; see Samsung’s sleep monitoring instructions.
5. Add a screen lock if you need the protection
A PIN or pattern lock, where available, adds privacy protection and is required to use Samsung Wallet on the watch, according to Samsung’s security lock instructions. The tradeoff is extra unlocking friction. How often you need to unlock can depend on wrist detection and your watch model, so consider how you use the device before choosing a lock.
Rank #4
![Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic 46mm Bluetooth Smartwatch, Cushion Design, Rotating Bezel, Quick Button, Sleep Coaching, Running Coach, Energy Score, Black [US Version, Amazon Exclusive 2Yr Warranty]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Vc6CWcxAL._SL160_.jpg)
- WHY GALAXY WATCH8 CLASSIC: Timeless design.* New lug system for easy band detachment & replacement.* Advanced health & sleep tracking features for total body wellness.* Improved user interface.* Personal AI assistant for hands free help.¹* 2-Yr Warranty
- BUILT TO PERFORM. DESIGNED TO IMPRESS: Show off your style with an iconic design that blends tradition with cutting-edge innovation.¹ A brighter screen makes everything easy to see, and a rotating bezel gives you access to your favorite apps
- YOUR EVERY COMMAND, RIGHT ON YOUR WRIST: Get a little extra help with day-to-day tasks. Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features a personal AI assistant¹ that helps you get things done hands-free. Simply speak the command and your Watch makes it happen
- UNLOCK THE SECRETS TO BETTER SLEEP: When you get good sleep, it feels like anything is possible. Start each day with more energy and better focus using Advanced Sleep Coaching² - improved with even more ways to help you sleep smarter
- QUICK UPDATES, AT A GLANCE: Get updates, select apps and more with Now Bar³,⁴ and an improved user experience. Now Bar conveniently puts the info you use the most - like weather, news and more - right on your main Watch screen
6. Use Water lock when swimming
Turn on Water lock before swimming to prevent accidental screen touches and wake gestures. Samsung says the mode may start automatically when you begin a swim workout. Its purpose is to manage input; it does not establish that every Galaxy Watch is suitable for every water condition. Check the water-resistance instructions for your exact model. Samsung explains the feature in its Water lock guide.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors7. Put frequent controls in the Quick panel
Swipe down from the top of the watch display to open the Quick panel. Samsung’s Canada guide describes quick access to controls such as Wi-Fi, brightness, and battery saving, and explains how to customize shortcuts. Available tiles and layout may vary by model or region, so use the controls shown on your watch: Manage the Quick panel on your Samsung Galaxy Watch.
Best Value
![SAMSUNG Galaxy FIT 3 [2024] 1.6' AMOLED Display | 14 Days Battery Life | 100+ Watchfaces | 100+ Exercise Modes | International Model - (Gray)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31JyN7HkB8L._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
Why the exact steps may differ
Samsung notes that screens and settings can vary by watch model, software version, phone, provider, and region. A setting may be in the watch’s own Settings app or in Galaxy Wearable; use the route and closest matching label available on your device. Some features apply only to Wear OS models.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
