The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series is almost officially here and if you’ve pre-ordered you’ll want to be prepared by jotting down all the best apps to use with the watch. Regardless of the model you picked up (or plan to pick up), all apps available in the Play Store on the watch should be compatible with the Galaxy Watch 5 and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. But that doesn’t mean there won’t eventually be a few that are only compatible with the Pro.
In our limited use of the watches so far, we’ve put together a list of the best apps to use with the Galaxy Watch 5 series of devices. Keep in mind that not everyone wants to use these apps. And that’s totally okay. But that said, we think these are some of the best apps out there for the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. And we certainly think they’re worth considering if you pick up Samsung’s latest smartwatch.
The best apps for Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Series
Spotify
- Price: $0
- In-app purchases: $9.99
- Size: 1B
- Google Play rating: 4.4
Spotify is one of the most popular music and podcast streaming apps in the world. And there could be an argument for that is the most popular of all. Regardless of its popularity, it is one of the best apps for the Galaxy Watch 5 series as it acts as a controller for streaming music from the Spotify phone app. If you are someone who often carries their phone with them while using a smartwatch, this is a great app to have.
Once you start streaming on Spotify via the phone app, the Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro will automatically open the playback controls. As long as the Spotify app is installed. In addition, you can use the Spotify app to download music to the watch for offline listening. That works great if you leave your phone at home while running. Then all you have to do is connect a pair of wireless headphones or earbuds to the watch and you’re good to go.
Granted to get the most out of the app, you’ll need the Spotify Premium subscription which costs $9.99 per month. But it’s worth it if you use Spotify anyway.
Google Assistant
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $0
- Size: 10M
- Google Play rating: 4.1
This one really speaks for itself. Google Assistant on the Galaxy Watch 5 is one of the best apps as it can be an invaluable tool for hands-free use. Do you need to get the answer to something quickly, but have both hands full? Raise your wrist, ask your Galaxy Watch 5. Google will give you what you need. At least more often than not.
This also works a lot better than Bixby on the watch. Mainly because it is compatible with so many more things. When it comes down to it, this might just be one of the apps you use the most. And if not, you should use it more often as it certainly makes a lot of things easier.
Google Pay
- Price: free
- In-app purchases: $0
- Size: 51 MB
- Google Play rating: 4.1
Pay for things at stores without reaching for your wallet or your phone. A simple tap is all you need. That said, you still need to set up a lock on the watch screen to use Google Pay from it. But even then, it can be faster than taking your phone out of your pocket and having to do the same thing. Because you have to do the same with phones.
While Samsung Pay is also available on the Galaxy Watch 5, Google Pay is one of the best apps if you mainly use Google Pay for your contactless payments. This is one that doesn’t come standard on the watch. You will therefore have to install this on the watch if you want to use it. Unlike Google Assistant which is available as standard on the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. That said, Google Pay doesn’t seem to be available for the Galaxy Watch 5 series just yet. A search in the Play Store through the watch turned up no results.
However, since it’s available for the Galaxy Watch 4, it should be coming soon. Hopefully.
Samsung Health
- Price: free
- In-app purchases: $0
- Size: 10M
- Google Play rating: 4.6
Samsung Health is a pretty good tool for keeping track of all your health stats. While we prefer the Fitbit app, Samsung Health is an excellent option for Galaxy Watch 5 users. Especially if you want to use the watch to track your sleep data at night. The app can also help you track your steps, daily fitness goals and other activities, and much more.
If you want to quickly see anything from how many calories you’ve eaten in a day so far to measuring your stress levels and blood oxygen levels, Samsung Health will get the job done. It’s definitely a must-use app on this watch. And since it’s a Samsung app, it comes pre-installed on the Galaxy Watch 5 series.
Facer
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $0.49 – $39.99
- Size: 10M
- Google Play rating: 4.2
Facer is the go-to app for watch face customization. You won’t find any other app that has more options than Facer. The Galaxy Watch 5 has a decent variety of pre-installed watch faces available right out of the box. But while those are nice, there’s nothing special about them. Facer gives you a way to liven up your watch face with loads of different things. Some watch faces are free, some are not.
But with over 15,000 watch face options, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something you like. In fact, you’ll probably find quite a few that you like. Some watch face options are even animated. You can also search directly to find something specific, or browse by categories.
If you’ve never used it before, you should definitely give it a try. You will have no regrets.
youtube music
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $9.99
- Size: 1B
- Google Play rating: 4.4
Spotify isn’t the only music streaming service available on Wear OS smartwatches. Google’s own YouTube Music is also there. And it’s gotten a lot better since its initial launch earlier this year. As with Spotify, you can use the app to control streaming music playback from the app on your phone. And you can even download music to the watch for offline listening.
If this is your favorite music streaming app on the phone, don’t forget to download it to your watch as well.
AccuWeather
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $19.99
- Size: 100M
- Google Play rating: 4.0
Weather information is already built into the Galaxy Watch 5 series, but you might want a little more information than what’s available. And if so, AccuWeather is an excellent option to install an app. You can access your local weather forecast, a storm tracker, radar maps and live weather news, all from your wrist. That makes it one of the best apps for the Galaxy Watch 5 series.
And once it’s installed, you should be able to set it as one of the tiles so you don’t have to keep launching the app to access its features.
Kamoot
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $99.99
- Size: 10M
- Google Play rating: 4.6
This is a must-have app if you enjoy walking and cycling. Kamoot gives you access to routes for specific sports types and displays them so you know where to go. Easily find routes for any activity and monitor them so you know you’re staying on track. It also offers turn-by-turn GPS navigation if you want a little extra help to avoid getting lost.
Google Maps
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $0
- Size: 10B
- Google Play rating: 4.3
Google Maps needs no introduction. This card is pre-installed on the watch, but you can remove it if you wish. However, we don’t know why you would want that. This is your go-to for all things mapping that isn’t specific to sports routes like the Kamoot app above. And if you save routes and maps for directions and navigation on the phone app, you can easily access them from the watch.
Samsung pay
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $0
- Size: N/A
- Google Play Rating: N/A
You will not find this app in the Play Store app of the Galaxy Watch 5 as it is already pre-installed and it is an app that cannot be uninstalled. Still, it is one of the best apps for the Galaxy Watch 5 series. Currently for two main reasons. Firstly, you can pay contactless in shops. Where accepted of course. And two, Google Pay isn’t available on the Galaxy Watch 5 yet (for some odd reason), so if you want to make contactless payments with your Galaxy Watch 5 or Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, here’s how to do it.