Samsung smart watch app freezes, crashes, or doesn't respond

Some watch apps need to be installed on both your watch and phone to function. Because of this, if an app acts funny on your phone, it could act funny on your watch as well. If the app is unstable, the app may not open, frequently crash or freeze, or becomes unresponsive. To fix the problem, try restarting your watch and phone, and check for updates. Uninstall the app if issues persist, but it may be necessary to reset the watch.
Man outdoors looking at smartwatch while wearing earphones
Man outdoors looking at smartwatch while wearing earphones

Samsung smart watch app freezes, crashes, or doesn't respond

Checkpoint

Close and force stop the app

1
Close the app on your watch.
On your watch, navigate to the Apps screen, and tap the Recent apps icon. It's gray with a picture of two circles. Swipe up on your desired app to close it. Or, swipe all the way to the left and tap Close all to close every app at once.
2
Force stop an app using Galaxy Wearable.

If the app is still acting funny, open the Galaxy Wearable app on your connected phone, and then tap Apps. Tap App info, select the app you wish to close, and then tap Force stop. Tap Force stop again to confirm. Next, open the affected app again to see if it works better.

Apps highlighted in the Galaxy Wearable app

3
Keep your apps updated.
To help prevent problems in the future, you should always try to keep your watch's software and apps up to date.
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Reboot your Samsung smart watch

Note
Available features, menu options, and settings may vary by the watch and software version.
1
Press and hold the Power key until "Rebooting..." displays.

To force a reboot on your watch, press and hold the Home key (Power key) and Back key at the same time until "Rebooting..." displays. Do not select Power off on the screen or Restart when it appears.

The length of time you need to hold down the buttons varies by device. On some watch models, it may take up to 30 seconds for "Rebooting..." to appear.

2
Release the Power key, and wait for the watch to reboot.

When the Rebooting message appears, release the keys you were holding down. The watch screen will go dark, and then the watch will reboot.

If the watch is connected to your phone, the devices will temporarily disconnect during the reboot.

3
Check for software updates.
If you're rebooting your watch to fix a problem, be sure to check for software updates on your watch and the Galaxy Wearable app, including device plugins, once the reboot is complete.
4
Request service if the watch is damaged.
If the watch cannot restart due to physical damage, like a stuck button, please visit the Service Center to request service.
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Uninstall apps from your Samsung smart watch

Note
Apps cannot be uninstalled from a Galaxy Fit.
1
Uninstall apps using the connected phone

If you prefer using the connected phone or cannot use your watch for whatever reason (like a broken button), you can uninstall apps through the Galaxy Wearable app.

  1. First, make sure your phone and watch are connected.
  2. From your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app, and then tap Apps or Apps screen. Depending on the connected watch, it may be necessary to tap the SETTINGS tab.
  3. On Wear OS models, touch and hold the app you want to remove. On older models, tap Manage apps.
  4. Tap Uninstall or tap the Delete icon (the minus sign) next to the app you'd like to uninstall. On Wear OS, tap Uninstall again to confirm. When finished, tap Save. Remember, some preloaded apps cannot be uninstalled. If you do not see the uninstall or delete option, the app cannot be removed.
2
Uninstall apps using the watch
  1. Press the Home key (Power key) on the watch to wake the screen, and then navigate to your apps.
  2. On the Wear OS models, touch and hold the app you'd like to uninstall. On holder models, touch and hold the Apps screen.
  3. On the Galaxy Watch4 series, tap Uninstall on the pop-up window, and then tap OK. Remember, some preloaded apps cannot be uninstalled.
    On older models, tap the Delete icon (the minus sign) next to the app, and tap the check mark to confirm.
    Uninstall option displayed above an app
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Reset your Samsung smart watch

Note
Before you perform a reset, make sure you back up the data on your watch using the Galaxy Wearable app. Samsung is not responsible for any lost data.
1
Unpair the watch from your phone.
Navigate to and open Settings on your phone, then tap Connections, and then tap Bluetooth. From the "Paired devices" list, tap the Settings icon next to your watch's name, and then tap Unpair.
2
Navigate to Settings on your watch.

From the watch's Home screen, navigate to and open Settings. Alternatively, you can swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick settings panel, and then tap the Settings icon.

Settings cannot be accessed on the Galaxy Fit. Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone instead.

3
Reset your watch.

Swipe to and tap General, then tap Reset, and then tap Reset again to confirm.

  • For the Gear Fit2 Pro, tap Gear info, and then tap Reset Gear.
  • For a Galaxy Fit, swipe to and tap About band. Tap Reset band, and then tap Reset to confirm.
    Reset option on a Galaxy smart watch
4
Reconnect your watch.

Once you reset your watch, you will need to reconnect it to the Galaxy Wearable app. After the connection is complete, you can check for software updates.

If you have an LTE watch that was activated with a QR code, a new one will be required to reactivate service for the watch. Please contact your carrier to obtain a new QR code.

5
Request service.
If resetting your watch doesn't fix the issues, service is required. Visit the Support Center to request service.
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Update the software for your Samsung smart watch

Note

The available menu options and settings will vary by the smart watch and software version.

A network connection is required to update your watch software. Your watch must be connected to a phone via Bluetooth.

1
Navigate to the Update software menu in the Galaxy Wearable app.
  1. From your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app.
  2. Depending on your watch, you may need to tap the SETTINGS tab.
  3. Tap About watch or About band. For a Gear Fit2 Pro or Gear Fit2, tap About Gear.
  4. Tap Update watch software or Update band software. For a Gear Fit2 Pro or Gear Fit2, tap Update Gear software.
2
Check for available software update to your watch.
  1. Tap Update now or Download updates manually. If desired, you can choose to automatically update the software by turning on Auto update or Download updates automatically.
  2. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install the newest software version for your watch.
  3. The software update may take several minutes to complete. The watch will disconnect during this time and the screen may display an exclamation mark or the progress percentage.
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Update apps installed on your Samsung smart watch

Note
The available menu options and settings will vary by the watch and software version.
1
Open the Galaxy Wearable app.
From your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app.
2
Check for available app updates.
  1. Tap Galaxy Store, and then tap More options in the top right corner.
  2. Tap My page. If you haven't signed into your Samsung account, you will need to sign in.
3
Update apps installed on your watch.
  1. Tap Update, and then tap the Watch tab to view all apps with available updates.
  2. Tap Update all at the top of the screen.

Alternatively, you can tap the Update icon next to an app to update it individually.

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