GPS appears to be not working properly on Samsung Galaxy Watch

Last Update date : Sep 27. 2026

Your Samsung Galaxy Watch includes a built-in GPS sensor to track your location in real time during outdoor activities. If your location is inaccurate or the GPS fails to connect, follow the steps below to resolve the issue.

A white Galaxy Watch showing the quick settings panel with a red diagonal line through the location icon.

Check your watch band and surrounding environment

GPS works best outdoors with an open view of the sky where signals can communicate directly with satellites. The following factors can interfere with GPS signals:

Metal or magnetic watch bands: Using third-party metallic or magnetic straps can block the watch's internal antenna and disrupt GPS reception. If you are using a metal band, replace it with an official silicone or leather strap.

Signal obstructions: Tall buildings, dense trees, bridges, or being indoors will weaken the GPS signal. Move to an open outdoor area away from tall obstacles.

Severe weather conditions: Poor weather conditions such as heavy storms or dense clouds can temporarily decrease satellite signal strength.

Prolonged disconnection: If your watch and phone have been disconnected for more than a day, satellite positioning data may expire and cause a delay in acquiring location data.

Check location services and power saving mode settings

Ensure location features are fully enabled on your watch and that battery optimization is not restricting GPS tracking.

Turn on Location

Settings screen with the Location option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Location.

Location settings screen with the main toggle switch highlighted and turned on.

Step 2. Tap the switch to turn on > Tap Location services.

Location services menu with options for Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning highlighted and toggled on.

Step 3. Tap the switches for Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning to turn them on.

Turn off Power saving mode

Settings menu with the Battery option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Battery.

Battery settings menu with Power saving highlighted and the toggle turned off.

Step 2. Check that the switch for Power saving is turned Off.

Move outdoors, then restart the watch

If you are indoors, step outside into an open area and restart the watch to refresh its satellite connection.

To restart your watch, press and hold the Home key (Power key) and Back key simultaneously.
Then, tap Turn off. Once the watch has been completely shut down, press and hold the Home key (Power key) again to restart it.

A Galaxy watch with both top and bottom side buttons highlighted.

Make sure your watch and phone are connected via Bluetooth

Open the Wearable app on your phone. If the devices are connected through Bluetooth, your device name will be visible without connection alerts.

If the app displays ‘Disconnected from your phone’, ensure your watch is turned on and tap Connect.
If the app displays ‘Remotely connected’, Bluetooth is currently disconnected. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.

If the devices are connected via Wi-Fi, the app will display ‘Remotely connected’ or ‘Remotely connected using mobile network (or Wi-Fi)’. In this case, you will need to turn on Bluetooth on each device.

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone

Settings menu screen with the Connections option highlighted.

Step 1. Navigate to Settings > Tap Connections.

Connections menu screen with the Bluetooth field highlighted with the switch turned on.

Step 2. Tap the switch to turn on Bluetooth.

Turn on Bluetooth on your watch

Galaxy Watch Settings menu with the Connections option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Connections.

Connections menu with the Bluetooth field highlighted with the switch on.

Step 2. Tap the switch to turn on Bluetooth.

Verify your phone is connected to a mobile network

When paired, your watch utilizes your phone's network to quickly check GPS satellite data.

Settings menu with the Connections option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Connections.

Connections menu with the SIM manager option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap SIM manager.

The SIM manager screen with the SIM card switch turned on.

Step 3. Verify that the SIM card is enabled, or tap the switch to turn it on.

Note: If your phone is experiencing issues with no mobile data or a low signal, contact your carrier for network support.

Check for software updates

Software updates fix bugs and improve the performance of your watch. Be sure to regularly check for software updates by selecting Software update in Settings on your watch, or using the Wearable app on your phone.

Check on your phone

Wearable app main menu screen with the Watch settings option highlighted.

Step 1. Open the Wearable app > Tap Watch settings.

Wearable Watch settings menu with the Watch software update option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Watch software update.

Watch software update screen with One UI 8.0 Watch text and Check for updates button highlighted.

Step 3. Tap Check for updates.

Check on your watch

Settings menu with Software update option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Software update.

Software update screen with the Download and install option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Download and install.

* The watch will notify you if it is up to date.
* Turn on Auto update to automatically install future Galaxy Watch updates.

Check app location permissions

If the GPS issue occurs only in specific apps on your watch (e.g., Samsung Health or map apps), verify that the app has permission to access precise location data.

Watch settings menu with Apps highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Apps.

App options with Permission manager highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Permission manager.

Permission manager options with Location highlighted.

Step 3. Tap Location.

Step 4. Select an app.

Location settings with the option All the time selected.

Step 5. Choose All the time for continuous access.

Location settings with the option While using app selected.

Step 6. Choose While using app for access only when the app is actively in use.

Reset the watch

If the problem persists, reset the watch using the Wearable app. After the reset is complete, reconnect the watch to your phone again, and then continue to check for software updates.

Step 1. Open the Wearable app > Tap Watch settings.

Watch settings menu with the General option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap General.

Watch General settings screen with the Reset option highlighted.

Step 3. Tap Reset > Tap Reset again and follow the steps to back up your watch if needed.

Note: Menu names, settings, and screen layouts may vary depending on the model and software version.

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