A selection of older Samsung smartwatches remains compatible with iPhones, offering a limited but functional experience for users invested in both ecosystems. The list includes ten models, primarily from earlier Wear OS and Tizen generations, that can pair via the Samsung Galaxy Watch app on iOS.

What You Need to Know

Older Samsung wearables like the Gear S3 and Galaxy Watch Active can still pair with iPhones, but users lose access to many features. Modern Samsung watches, including the Galaxy Watch 6 series, do not support iOS at all. Anyone looking for full smartwatch functionality across an iPhone and Samsung device should consider alternatives such as Apple Watch or Fossil's Wear OS watches.

Compatible Samsung Models

Users can connect the following Samsung watches to an iPhone: Galaxy Watch (first generation), Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Watch Active2, Galaxy Watch3, Gear S2, Gear S3, Gear Fit2, Gear Fit2 Pro, Gear Sport, and Gear S3 Frontier. These devices rely on the Samsung Galaxy Watch app available in the iOS App Store, which handles basic notifications, step tracking and sleep monitoring.

Feature Tradeoffs

Pairing an older Samsung watch with an iPhone introduces notable limitations. Users cannot install new watch faces, respond to messages directly from the wrist or access Samsung Pay. The 10 models listed above also lack support for emergency SOS and fall detection, features standard on modern Apple Watch models.

Battery life, however, remains competitive. Several compatible models offer multi-day battery performance that exceeds most current Apple Watches. The Gear S3, for instance, can run for up to four days on a single charge depending on usage.

Why This Matters

Smartwatch compatibility remains a key factor for users straddling Apple and Android devices. For Samsung watch owners with an iPhone upgrade in their future, the choice is clear: modern Samsung wearables no longer offer iOS support. Users must either stick with an older device, accept limited functionality or switch to an Apple Watch to maintain full smartwatch capabilities.

This shift reflects a broader trend in the wearable industry where platform exclusivity has become standard. Both Apple and Samsung now design watches optimized for their own smartphone ecosystems, reducing cross-platform utility and pushing users toward a single-brand experience.

Alternatives for Cross-Platform Users

For iPhone users who want a Samsung-like wearable without losing features, a few options exist. Fossil's Gen 6 Wear OS watches offer Google Assistant, Google Pay and notification responses on iOS. The Garmin Venu 2 series also pairs with iPhones while providing robust fitness tracking and week-long battery life.

  • Fossil Gen 6: Runs Wear OS with full notification support and Google Pay on iOS.
  • Garmin Venu 2: Provides fitness tracking, sleep monitoring and multi-day battery life.
  • Apple Watch SE: Delivers seamless integration with iPhones and access to the full App Store.

These alternatives restore many features lost when pairing older Samsung watches with iPhones, making them practical upgrades for users seeking broader iOS compatibility.