If asterisks appear beside friends in Samsung Health, they do not by themselves show that those friends have disappeared. Samsung’s current US support guide explains how Together friends, leaderboards, and step-count privacy work, but it does not define the asterisk. Its meaning is therefore unconfirmed; don’t assume it signals a hidden identity, a non-friend, or a syncing error.
First, identify where the asterisks appear
Check whether the marks are beside names in your Together Friends list, your friends leaderboard, or a Global Challenge ranking. Those are different views, and a community discussion about asterisks masking Global Challenge participants does not establish what asterisks mean beside friends elsewhere. That discussion is not Samsung documentation. Samsung’s current Together guide does not explain the marker. Samsung’s US Together guide and the community discussion offer no official definition for a Friends-list or friends-leaderboard asterisk.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Before contacting support, note the exact screen, your Samsung Health app version, phone platform, and region. This detail matters because Together availability and functions can vary by platform and region.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
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 →Check whether the person is missing from Friends or only from the leaderboard
A person absent from the Friends list is a different issue from a friend absent only from the leaderboard. Samsung documents separate controls for contact syncing and automatic leaderboard inclusion. On Android in the US, use this path:
#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.
- Open Samsung Health.
- Tap More options (the three vertical dots), then Settings.
- Open Together.
- Review Keep contacts synced if you expect people from your phone’s contacts to appear.
- Review Auto add new friends to leaderboard if a friend is in your Friends list but not on the leaderboard.
Samsung says contacts can be synced automatically, and newly added friends can automatically appear on the leaderboard; each control can be switched on or off. Contact syncing and leaderboard inclusion are separate settings, so changing one does not establish that the other is enabled. Samsung’s guide does not say either setting changes asterisks.
If the person is still missing only from the leaderboard, look for friend-selection or leaderboard-editing controls in your current app version. A Samsung Members moderator in 2022 advised users to edit the leaderboard to choose which friends appear, but that older guidance may not match today’s menus. Samsung Members moderator guidance from 2022.
Rank #2
![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
Review step-count visibility and challenge requests
In Settings > Together, Samsung documents the Who can see my step count choices as Anyone, Friends, or No one. Challenge requests can also be limited. These settings control step-count visibility and challenge access; Samsung does not describe them as controls for the asterisk marker. Samsung’s US Together guide.
Why a friend’s displayed name may differ
Samsung support has said that people synced from phone contacts may appear under the name saved in your contacts. People added by QR code, invitation link, or by accepting a challenge may instead appear under their Samsung Health nickname. That can explain a name difference, but it does not explain an asterisk. The statement came from a Samsung Members response in 2025. Samsung Members response from 2025.
Rank #3
![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.
The same response said there was no direct friend-delete function at that time and described blocking as a workaround. Because removal controls can change, check the options in your current app rather than relying on that older description.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Together adds friends, and where it is available
Samsung documents adding people through contacts, QR codes, and invitation links; people can be added even if they have not previously used Samsung Health. Together is available on Android phones according to Samsung’s US guide, which says tablet use must first be started on a phone. Samsung also describes Together on iPhone, while noting that functions may vary by region, service, and carrier. Screens and settings may differ for phones sold in different countries. US Android and tablet guidance; Samsung’s iPhone support page; Samsung Canada guidance.
Rank #4
![Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 44mm 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/31D3ljx8XwL._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.
When to contact Samsung Support
If the asterisks remain and you need an explanation, report where they appear and include your app version, device platform, and region. Samsung’s published guidance cited here does not define the marker, so support may need those details to identify the specific screen and behavior. Avoid changing contact or privacy settings solely to remove the asterisks: Samsung documents those settings for finding friends, leaderboard display, and step-count visibility, not marker formatting.
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.
