Galaxy Watch 5 owners begin receiving Wear OS 4

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It's also rolling out on the Galaxy Watch 4.

Getting an update on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Samsung has started rolling out the stable One UI 5 Watch update based on Wear OS 4.
  • One UI 5 Watch is arriving on both the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 series.
  • The update brings a bevy of new features, such as the ability to transfer phones without resetting the watch, new health features, and more.
  • Samsung is the first OEM to release Wear OS 4 to its smartwatches, even ahead of Google.

If you missed the One UI 5 Watch beta, then there's good news for you as Samsung has begun rolling out the Wear OS 4-based update to the Galaxy Watch 5.

The update was announced earlier this month following a period of beta testing. Now, it seems some Galaxy Watch 5 owners in the U.S., South Korea, and other countries have started receiving the update (via SamMobile). You can check to see if the update is available on your device by opening the Galaxy Wearable app and navigating to Watch Settings > Watch software update. The update comes with build number R9xxXXU1BWH3.

As previously detailed, the update should bring the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro up to speed with the newer Galaxy Watch 6 series. One UI 5 Watch brings updated health and fitness features with better sleep management, fitness tracking, and workout routes.

The update also brings new call and camera controls, new and improved tiles, app folders, new SOS features, and more. It also lets you transfer your watch to a new phone without resetting the watch, a feature that has been long-requested for Wear OS.

Starting the transfer process on the Galaxy Watch 5

(Image credit: Android Central)

The update brings the security patch level up to July 1, 2023.

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 and 4 Classic are also being updated to Wear OS 4-based One  UI 5 Watch (R8xxUSQU1ZWF1), putting Samsung's smartwatches well ahead of Google's Pixel Watch, which has yet to receive Wear OS 4 in any form. Those users may have to wait until the Pixel Watch 2 launch, which is set for October. There's no word yet on when other Wear OS watch makers will receive the update.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 product render

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

Even though the Galaxy Watch 6 is already available, the Galaxy Watch 5 is still a great smartwatch with a nearly identical design and feature set. The chipset may be slightly older, but the watch still performs like a champ.

Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee
Managing Editor

Derrek is the managing editor of Android Central, helping to guide the site's editorial content and direction to reach and resonate with readers, old and new, who are just as passionate about tech as we are. He's been obsessed with mobile technology since he was 12, when he discovered the Nokia N90, and his love of flip phones and new form factors continues to this day. As a fitness enthusiast, he has always been curious about the intersection of tech and fitness. When he's not working, he's probably working out.