How to Set Up Your Samsung Gear S3 Smartwatch

Customize your smartwatch to match your preferences

By
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Writer, Editor, Fact Checker
  • Western Kentucky University
  • Gulf Coast Community College
Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others.
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Updated on January 9, 2023

What to Know

  • Open the Samsung Gear app and select Start the Journey to connect your smartwatch to an Android device.
  • Connect to headphones: Make sure Bluetooth is on, turn on your headset, then rotate the bezel and select BT headset.
  • To add apps, select the Plus (+) icon, then pick what you want to install.

This article explains how to set up a Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch. Before you begin setting up your Samsung Gear S3, place it on the charging stand and allow it to fully charge.

How to Set Up Your Samsung Gear S3 to Work With Your Smartphone

Follow these steps to connect your Samsung Gear S3 to any Android smartphone:

  1. Download and activate the Gear S3 app. If you’re using a Samsung phone, download the Gear app from your Galaxy Apps. For non-Samsung Android devices, go to the Google Play Store and download Samsung Gear.

  2. Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds to turn the Gear S3 on. The first time you power on your Gear S3, you’re prompted to connect it to your smartphone.

  3. On your smartphone, select Apps > Samsung Gear. If you’re prompted to update Samsung Gear, do that before you connect to your smartwatch. If there is no prompt, tap Start the Journey.​​​

  4. On the Pick Your Gear screen, select your device. If the device isn’t listed, tap Mine’s not here. Then choose your device from the list that appears.

  5. Your smartphone will try to connect to your device. When the Bluetooth pairing request window is displayed on your Gear and your smartphone, tap the checkmark on the Gear and OK on the smartphone to continue.

  6. Agree to the Terms of Service, displayed on your smartphone, and click Next.

  7. On your smartphone, you’ll be prompted to set up your notifications and the apps you want to use on the smartwatch. When you’ve made your selections, tap Next to complete the setup on your smartphone.

  8. On your Gear S3, you’ll be prompted to walk through a tutorial that shows you the basic controls of the device. Once you’ve completed the tutorial, your setup is finished.

Connect your Samsung Gear 3 to your smartphone to access the most features.

How to Use Your Gear S3 With Your Smartphone

Your new Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch is the perfect companion to your Samsung smartphone. It extends the capabilities of your phone, and it's a nice wardrobe accessory.

  • For incoming calls, touch the green phone icon and swipe to the right to answer. Or touch the red phone icon and swipe to the left to decline the call. 
  • To decline the call and send preset text messages, swipe up from the bottom of the face and choose the appropriate response. These messages can be customized in the Samsung Gear App.
  • To dial an outgoing call, either choose the name of the person you want to dial from Contacts, which should automatically sync with the contacts on your smartphone, or, tap the dial pad from within the phone app and enter the number manually.

Connect Your Gear S3 to a Bluetooth Headset

Here's how to sync a wireless headset with your Samsung watch:

  1. On the Apps screen, tap Settings.

  2. Scroll down and tap Connections.

  3. Tap Bluetooth to turn it on.

  4. Turn on your headphones.

  5. On the Gear S3, rotate the bezel and tap BT headset.

  6. When you see the name of the Bluetooth headset, tap it to pair it to the watch.

  7. If you don't see your headset, tap Scan on the Gear S3, and then tap the name of the headset when you see it scroll across the screen.

How to Change Your Watch Face Settings

Once your device is all set up, you can customize the watch face and apps.

  1. Press the Home key on the side of the watch.

  2. Scroll through the apps by using the bezel of your phone or your finger until you find the Settings icon (looks like a gear). Tap the Settings icon.

  3. Select Style.

  4. Tap Watch faces.

  5. Scroll through the available faces to find one you like. When you find it, tap the face to activate it.

  6. If there isn’t a face that’s appealing, select Add Template at the end of the list of available faces to install more watch faces.

You can also add more faces to your Samsung Gear S3 through the Gear app: tap View More Watch Faces under the Suggested Watch Faces section. You’ll be taken to a face gallery that includes both paid and free watch face options.

How to Add or Delete Apps from Your Gear S3

Follow these steps to add and remove apps on your watch:

  1. Press the Home key on the side of your watch.

  2. Scroll through the apps by using the bezel of your phone or your finger. When you find an app you want to delete, press and hold the app for a second until a small minus sign appears on the icon. Tap the minus (-) sign to remove the app.

  3. To add apps, scroll through the app wheel until you find the plus icon. Tap the plus icon. Scroll through the available apps to find the one you want to install.

  4. Tap the app to instantly install it on your phone.

To add additional apps to your phone using the smartphone app, open the Gear app and scroll to Suggested Apps. Then, tap View More Apps. You’ll be taken to the app gallery where you can download both free and paid apps. 

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