How to Setup a Smartwatch: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Setup Your SmartWatch

Android Watch to Android Phone

Charge Your Device 

Charging your device before using it will help the calibration process. Besides, charging it ahead of setup will also help your battery stay alive for the tasks ahead. 

Confirm Compatibility

Your Android device and watch have to be compatible in order for you to set your smartwatch up successfully. If compatible, you may proceed to the next step. 

Installation

On your phone, install the Wear OS App on Google Playstore. Next, turn on your watch’s Bluetooth and open the Wear OS app on your phone and choose a language. Then follow any other onscreen instructions. Read the terms and tap that you agree. 

A pop-up should appear asking you to turn on Bluetooth and notifications. Once you click on turn on, select the name of your watch and pair it on both devices. 

Setup Preferences

Once you have a successful connection, sign in to your Google Account. Then enable your messages, notifications, calendar access, and location. Choose these according to your preferences.

Download Interests

Once you’re done, you can start to enjoy using your smartwatch to track your health, reach your fitness goals, get directions, and make note entries. You can also download Google Maps and Google Play Music.

Android Watch to iPhone 

On your iPhone, download the Android Wear by Google. This should be free in the App store. Then, turn on your smartwatch’s Bluetooth and go to Settings on your iPhone to do the same. 

Once your watch shows up on your iPhone, accept the pairing request. When successful, log into your Google Account. Lastly, you can enable notifications, calendar access, location, and messages.

iOS to iOS

Charge

When you get your Apple Watch, the first thing you should do is charge it. This may help the battery life of the device.

Compatibility

You need an iPhone 6 or higher to set up your Apple Watch. Any version before this will not be compatible. Also, make sure your iPhone software is updated.

Connection

Turn on your Bluetooth and ensure you have a good internet connection on your iPhone. In this case, having WiFi will be better.

App Setup

Open the Apple Watch app on your phone. Usually, the app is already installed on iPhones running iOS 8.2. This is why you need to ensure your phone is updated. At this point, ensure your phone is turned on. 

Your iPhone should detect that your Apple Watch is nearby, and it should display “Use your iPhone to set up this Apple Watch.” Once this shows up, click on continue. 

If this message doesn’t appear, open the Apple Watch app on your phone and tap on Start Pairing. Then, follow the onscreen instructions to hold your iPhone over the watch so that the camera can find it. 

Follow Prompts

Once the pairing process is successful, follow all onscreen instructions. This will include language preference, screen orientation, and creating a password. 

Setup Watch

Next, click on Set Up Apple Watch. If you have had a watch before, you can restore your old backup. If it’s your first watch, you will be given the option to install the watch version of the apps on your iPhone. 

Choose whichever option works best for you and download other vital apps from the app drawer on your watch.

Other Preferences

You can set up the Apple Activity app to keep track of your daily life. You can also set the notification settings for your Apple Watch. Also, don’t forget to back up your watch!

Customizing Your Smartwatch

Customizing your watch helps you to add personality to it. This way, you can start to consider it yours. For this, you can download a watch face. 

There are some watch face options on your watch’s mobile app, but other third-party apps also have faces you can download.

Other Apps You Should Download

The apps you download determine how much you will enjoy using your smartwatch. Keeping your smartwatch bear will only leave you with default apps, making you miss out on the real benefits!

Steps to Take If You Can’t Find Your Watch’s Name

You need to confirm that your watch and phone are compatible. For example, Wear OS 3 watches and the Wear OS app are not compatible.

Galaxy 4 Setup

If you use a Galaxy 4, you will need to complete all the steps on your watch first. To begin your watch setup, allow it to load fully and choose a language. Then, wait for the watch to ask you to download and open the Wear App on your current phone before refreshing your phone. 

Location

Some phones may require that you turn on location sharing before setting up your watch. You can do this from your Settings menu.

Restore to Factory Settings 

Another way you can resolve this is to restore your watch to factory settings. To do this, hold down the power button and then click on Disconnect and Reset. 

If you don’t see this, click on Unpair with Phone. Next, tap Done and exit the Wear OS app. After you finish this, you can start from the beginning.

Final Thoughts

A smartwatch is a great asset that can ease your tasks and make life smoother. Once you follow these basic steps on how to setup a smartwatch, you will be able to truly enjoy your watch!