Control screen brightness and timeout on your Galaxy Watch

Last Update date : Jan 24. 2026
Galaxy Watch on a wrist with the screen dimmed while displaying an incoming call.

Your Galaxy Watch lets you control how bright the screen appears and how long it stays on before turning off. Adjusting these basic settings can help make the screen easier to see, reduce distractions, and limit unnecessary screen use. You can change screen brightness and screen timeout directly from your watch or through the Galaxy Wearable app on your connected phone.

Note: Information provided applies to devices sold in Canada. Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version and device type.

You can adjust the screen brightness directly on your Galaxy Watch to make the display easier to see in different lighting conditions. Lowering the brightness can also help reduce unnecessary screen use.

1 On your watch, press the Power key (or Home key), then swipe to and tap Settings.
2 Swipe to and tap Display.
Galaxy Watch settings menu showing the Display option.
3 Tap Brightness.
4 Adjust the brightness using the on-screen control.
Galaxy Watch brightness control showing the on-screen adjustment ring.

Note:

  • We recommend leaving Auto brightness turned on in the Display menu.
  • You can also adjust brightness from the Quick Settings panel. From the watch Home screen, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Tap the Brightness icon, then adjust the brightness using the on-screen control.

You can set how long your Galaxy Watch screen stays on before turning off when it’s not in use. Adjusting the screen timeout can help reduce unnecessary screen use.

1 On your watch, press the Power key (or Home key), then swipe to and tap Settings.
2 Swipe to and tap Display.
Galaxy Watch settings menu showing the Display option.
3 Swipe to and tap Screen timeout.
4 Select the desired screen timeout from the available options.
Galaxy Watch screen timeout options showing 15 seconds selected.

Note: We recommend using the shortest screen timeout available to help reduce screen use and conserve battery power.

When your Galaxy Watch is connected to a compatible phone using the Galaxy Wearable app, you can manage display settings from the app. This offers an alternative way to adjust screen brightness and screen timeout from your phone.

Galaxy Wearable app icon on a Samsung Galaxy phone home screen. Galaxy Wearable app icon on a Samsung Galaxy phone home screen.

Step 1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app.

Galaxy Wearable app showing the Watch settings option on a Samsung Galaxy phone. Galaxy Wearable app showing the Watch settings option on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Step 2. Scroll through the options, then tap Watch settings.

Galaxy Wearable app showing the Display option on a Samsung Galaxy phone. Galaxy Wearable app showing the Display option on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Step 3. Navigate through the menu, then tap Display.

Galaxy Wearable app Display settings showing the brightness slider and Auto brightness option. Galaxy Wearable app Display settings showing the brightness slider and Auto brightness option.

Step 4. Adjust the screen brightness with the slider under Brightness.

Galaxy Wearable app showing the Screen timeout option on a Samsung Galaxy phone. Galaxy Wearable app showing the Screen timeout option on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Step 5. Scroll through the options, then tap Screen timeout.

Galaxy Wearable app showing screen timeout options with 15 seconds selected. Galaxy Wearable app showing screen timeout options with 15 seconds selected.

Step 6. Select the desired screen timeout from the available options.

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