This week started off strong for Galaxy Watch users. Yesterday, we got the One UI Watch 5 update for Galaxy Watch 5 in Europe, but there’s more good news. Galaxy Watch 4 is also getting the latest firmware update, except for the USA instead of Europe or other markets.
We have been checking our Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatches to get the latest One UI Watch 5 update in Europe and India. It is not available in any of these markets as of this writing, but the update is rolling out to the Watch 4 series in the USA.
As expected, the changelog contains several entries detailing changes and additions, large and small. This is a significant firmware update, though the user interface hasn’t changed much from One UI Watch 4.5.
The story continues after the video
Galaxy Watch 4 gets a lot of improvements
Without further ado, if you’re here for the list of changes, here’s the exact changelog that Samsung released with the One UI Watch 5 update for the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic:
Watch faces and tiles
• Add watch faces and bezels more easily: The new vertical layout makes it easier to find the watch faces and bezels that are right for you.
• Check the battery level for all your devices: The new Battery Square lets you quickly check the battery level on your watch, phone and Galaxy Buds.
• Improved Buds Dashboard: You can now turn 360 Sound on and off from the Buds Dashboard if your Buds support 360 Sound.
• Quick access to timers: You can start timers from the new timer panel without opening the timer app.
• Set an album or story as your watch face: Instead of just one photo, you can now have the watch face cycle through photos in the album or story you select. Your watch face will change to a different image each time you turn on the watch screen.
Samsung Health
• Improved sleep coaching: The redesigned results screen makes it easier to understand how well you slept each night, and you can now check your habits and recommendations right on your watch without having to reach for your phone.
• Automatically record cycling workouts: Samsung Health can now detect when you start cycling and automatically record your workout. You can also set if you want your cycling routes to be set automatically.
• Get heart rate guidance during your runs: Your watch can provide custom heart rate zones during your runs to help you manage the intensity of your workout.
• More accurate track results: If you start running on a normal 400-meter track, your watch can recognize the track you’re running on to give you more accurate results for laps and distances.
• Create your own workout: Can’t find your workout in the options menu? Now you can create your own custom workout that measures distance, speed, route and more.
Backup and restore
• Keep your watch data safe: Files and data from your watch are periodically backed up on your phone when it’s connected to your watch. You can also save backups to Samsung Cloud. Your phone needs the latest version of the Smart Switch app to use this feature.
• Transfer your watch to a new phone: It’s easier than ever to switch from one phone to another. You will still be able to keep your watch faces and apps after the transfer.
Take control of your phone
• More control over your calls: You now have more control over your calls without touching your phone. You can adjust call volume, mute, and press buttons on the keypad, all from your watch.
• Take photos from your watch: When the camera is open in Flex mode or Tent mode on the Galaxy Z Flip5 or Fold5, the camera icon will appear at the bottom of the watch face. Tap the icon to quickly access the camera controls on your watch.
Additional changes
• Dictate text using the Home button: Simply press and hold the Home button any time you enter text using the Samsung keyboard to instantly switch to voice input.
• Let Bixby read your notifications: Bixby can read your notifications out loud if you have headphones connected to your watch. You can then tell Bixby what to do after you’ve finished reading the notification. To use this feature, Bixby must be set as your watch’s default voice assistant.
• Use multiple timers at once: You can now run up to 20 timers at the same time to help keep track of all your tasks.
• Share your medical information in emergency situations: A button to access your medical information will appear automatically when a hard fall is detected or when you press the Home button 5 times to start the Emergency SOS feature.
• Device Care: Check the health of your watch’s battery, storage, and memory and fix any issues immediately to extend battery life and keep your watch running smoothly.
• Control your watch without touching it: Universal gestures allow you to control your watch without touching the screen or pressing a button. You can assign different actions to gestures such as shaking your wrist, forming a fist, or squeezing your fingers.
• Organize apps into folders: Create folders to keep your apps organized so you can quickly find the apps you need with less scrolling.
• Keep your watch safe: If you set a PIN or pattern on your watch, you will need to enter the PIN or pattern before you can set your watch after a factory reset. This prevents your watch from being used by another person if it is lost or stolen.
To upgrade the Galaxy Watch 4 firmware, open the Galaxy Wearable app on the connected Samsung smartphone, access the Smartwatch section, and go to “clock settings” handle View software update. and click Download and install.
