Why doesn't Samsung support this already?
Samsung didn't always block iPhone pairing, it dropped it. Samsung still keeps an app on the App Store, Samsung Galaxy Watch (Gear S), and it still works, but only for the Gear S2, Gear S3, Gear Sport, and the original Tizen-based Galaxy Watch, Watch Active, Watch Active2, and Watch3. It hasn't been updated since February 2022. When Samsung moved the entire lineup to Wear OS starting with the Watch 4, iPhone support never came with it. Samsung's own current support documentation says so directly: "Galaxy watches running Wear OS are not compatible with iOS devices." That covers every model in this guide, Watch 4 through Ultra 2. Samsung hasn't stated a reason, but keeping the watch tied to a Samsung phone keeps you inside Samsung's ecosystem rather than Apple's, a reasonable read of the incentive, not a claim Samsung has made itself.
This is where Lynio comes in. Lynio Watch installs on the watch from the Play Store, and it pairs with the Lynio app on your iPhone. A few things to know before you start: Wi-Fi is required during first-time setup. You never need a second Android device, whether the watch is brand new or already set up, just the watch and your iPhone. If you do have an Android phone and would rather set the watch up with it, that works too, it's an option rather than a requirement.
Connect in 3 steps
- 1Download Lynio on your iPhone. Available on the App Store. Search "Lynio" or use the button below.
- 2Install Lynio Watch on your Samsung Watch. Open the Google Play Store on the watch, search "Lynio Watch," and tap Install.
- 3Follow the in-app pairing guide. Open Lynio on your iPhone, it walks you through pairing step by step. Most people are done in 5 to 10 minutes, and no Android phone is involved at any point.
Compare every Samsung Watch at a glance
| Model | Year | Case | Chip | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Watch 4 | 2021 | 40/44mm aluminum | Exynos W920 | — |
| Galaxy Watch 4 Classic | 2021 | 42/46mm steel | Exynos W920 | — |
| Galaxy Watch 5 | 2022 | 40/44mm aluminum | Exynos W920 | 284/410mAh |
| Galaxy Watch 5 Pro | 2022 | 45mm titanium | Exynos W920 | 590mAh |
| Galaxy Watch 6 | 2023 | 40/44mm aluminum | Exynos W930 | 300/425mAh |
| Galaxy Watch 6 Classic | 2023 | 43/47mm steel | Exynos W930 | 300/425mAh |
| Galaxy Watch 7 | 2024 | 40/44mm aluminum | Exynos W1000 (3nm) | 300/425mAh |
| Galaxy Watch 8 | 2025 | 40/44mm aluminum | Exynos W1000 (3nm) | 325/435mAh |
| Galaxy Watch 8 Classic | 2025 | 46mm steel | Exynos W1000 (3nm) | 445mAh |
| Galaxy Watch FE | — | 40mm aluminum | Exynos W920 | 247mAh |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra | — | 47mm titanium | Exynos W1000 (3nm) | 590mAh |
| Galaxy Watch 9 | 2026 | 40/44mm | Snapdragon Wear Elite | 390/445mAh |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 | — | 47mm titanium | Snapdragon Wear Elite | 800mAh |
What you get after pairing
Calls on your wrist, iPhone notifications, caller ID and contacts, health data synced to Apple Health, music control, and automatic reconnection, the same on every model listed above.
References
- Samsung: Set Up Your Samsung Smart Watch With or Without a Phone (ANS10002899): source for "Galaxy watches running Wear OS are not compatible with iOS devices"
- Samsung Galaxy Watch (Gear S) in App Store: source for the supported legacy models and the February 2022 last-update date
- Lynio on the Apple App Store: source for the iOS 17.6 minimum and "any Wear OS 3.0+ smartwatch"
Quick Answers
Does Samsung support the Galaxy Watch with iPhone at all?
Only for older, pre-Wear OS models, through the Samsung Galaxy Watch (Gear S) app, last updated February 2022. Every Wear OS Galaxy Watch, Watch 4 onward, has no official iPhone support, confirmed directly by Samsung's own support documentation.
Do I need an Android phone to set up my Samsung Watch with Lynio?
No. A Samsung Galaxy Watch never needs one, whether the watch is brand new or already set up, your iPhone handles the whole setup. If you happen to have an Android phone and would rather use it, you can, but nothing about the setup requires it. You do need Wi-Fi on the watch for the first-time install.
Does the Galaxy Watch 9 work with iPhone?
Yes, through Lynio, the same three-step setup as every other model on this page.
Does the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 work with iPhone?
Yes, through Lynio, with its 800mAh battery and titanium case unaffected by pairing through Lynio rather than a Samsung phone.
Does the Galaxy Watch FE work with iPhone?
Yes, the same as every other model on this page.