How to Setup and Use Google Assistant on Samsung Galaxy Watch
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch comes withBixby as the default assistant. While it works better than ever before, many users prefer Google Assistant instead. Here’s how to get Google Assistant on your Galaxy watch, set it as default, and use it in day-to-day life.
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How to Get Google Assistant on the Samsung Galaxy Watch
Method 1: From Play Store
Open the Play Store on your Galaxy Watch and search for Google Assistant. Once you find it, tap on the Install button to download it on your Galaxy Watch. After downloading it, tap on Open to set up and use it.
Method 2: By Updating Software
On older watches, you will need to update the Samsung Watch software to make sure you got the update that has Google Assistant.
1.To get Google Assistant on your watch, ensure you are running the latest version of the One UI Watch OS. To do that, swipe up on the home page to open the app drawer. Here tap on thecog iconto open Settings.
2.In Settings, scroll down and select theSoftware updateoption. Then select theDownload and installoption. If there is any update, you should be able to download it from here.
3.Once made sure that your watch is up to date, update the Assistant app. To do that, swipe up on the home page to open the app drawer and open thePlay Storeapp. Here scroll down and select theManage appsoption.
4.Here, you should find all the apps that need updating at the top. Open Assistant app from the list and tap on the Update button to update it.
You are updating the assistant app, instead of downloading it because this is an add-on to the Google app on the watch. Once updated, you should be able to find the Assistant app in the app drawer.
How to Setup Google Assistant on Samsung Galaxy Watch
Once updated, we will now set up Google Assistant so we can use it on the Samsung Galaxy Watch.
1.After getting the Assistant app on your watch, open it from the app drawer and tap on theGet startedbutton.
2.Once done, the remaining steps can be completed on the phone that is connected to the Watch. Upon opening the phone, you should see theActivateoption. Tap on it. On the next page, tap onContinue.
3.Then tap on theNextbutton to set up theHey Googlecommand on your Galaxy Watch. In the pop-up, tap onI agreebutton.
4.Then tap on theTurn onbutton to get personal results on the Watch too. Finally, tap onGot itto begin using Google Assistant on your Galaxy Watch.
5.Just tap on theDonebutton to get back to the home screen on your phone.
Now on the watch, you can open Assistant to ask queries or even activate the assistant with the Hey Google voice command like you do on your phone.
Bonus Tip 1: Use Side Button to Access Google Assistant
Now you can access Google Assistant with the Hey Google command or open the app drawer and launch Google Assistant to access it. It can hassle to activate the assistant always with your voice, especially when the device is right at your fingertips all the time. By default, long pressing the home button opens Bixby. But you cancustomize the buttons on Galaxy Watchto open Google Assistant instead.
1.On the Galaxy Watch, swipe up on the home page to access the app drawer. Here tap on the Settings.
2.In Settings, openAdvanced featuresand selectCustomize keysoption.
3.Now select thePress and holdoption and set it toGoogle Assistant.
Once done, you can press and hold the home button on your Galaxy Watch to access the assistant without using the Hey Google command.
Bonus Tip 2: Set Google Assistant as Default Voice Assistant on Galaxy Watch
You are almost done and can use Google Assistant for most tasks. But you still won’t be able to control device actions like opening an app, and Assistant will not work well with third-party apps like Spotify. But you can set Google Assistant as a default voice assistant to get those features.
1.On the Galaxy Watch, open Settings.
2.Now openAppsand then selectChoose default appsoption.
3.On the next page, select theDigital assistant appoption and then select theDefault appoption.
4.Then select theAssistantoption here and tap on the check mark sign to set Google Assistant as a default voice assistant.
Hey Google, Setup Google Assistant on Galaxy Watch
Once everything is done, you can just use the Hey Google voice command or long-press the home button to activate it. Unlike Bixby, you can release the button once Assistant is activated and continue speaking the command. WhileGoogle Assistantis better in many aspects, it does an underwhelming job of controlling the device. It cannot change the brightness, enable do not disturb, andstart exerciseswith voice commands. However, Google Assistant on the Wear OS on Galaxy Watch is new, so we expect it to get better with time.
Update (Nov 2023): Added Play Store method.
Ravi Teja KNTS
Tech writer with over 4 years of experience at TechWiser, where he has authored more than 700 articles on AI, Google apps, Chrome OS, Discord, and Android. His journey started with a passion for discussing technology and helping others in online forums, which naturally grew into a career in tech journalism. Ravi’s writing focuses on simplifying technology, making it accessible and jargon-free for readers. When he’s not breaking down the latest tech, he’s often immersed in a classic film – a true cinephile at heart.
