Connecting Samsung Gear S2 with iPhone

Connecting Samsung Gear S2 with iPhone

It’s all over the news. Samsung is planning to release its Gear Manager app on iOS App Store which will officially make its latest smartwatch, Samsung Gear S2, compatible with iPhone. Smart move, considering this is a fine piece of device. There are a number of reasons why you should consider to pick this over Apple Watch:

  • Rounded bezel makes it more like you are wearing a watch instead of a gadget
  • Gear S2 uses rotating bezel for navigation vs Apple Watch’s digital crown, personally it feels more natural
  • More affordable – Gear S2 Classic ($350) finishing is equivalent to Apple Watch edition (not Sport) 38mm with leather band ($650)
  • Gear S2 Classic is also compatible with any strap that has a standard 20mm pin
  • Apple Watch was released sooner which means it might already close to its end of life and the next generation coming soon

However, I am trying not to put too much hope regarding when Samsung is actually going to get its Gear Manager iOS app available. It is known to be less committed to deliver when it comes to software products. Apple also plays a big role whether the app is going to pass on the app approval process.

Does this mean iPhone users are completely out of options to use the Gear S2? Not really.

Samsung Gear S2 could connect with iPhone… before the firmware update

Surprisingly, the earlier version of Gear S2’s firmware allows the device to connect and communicate with iPhone out of the box. Based on reports from passionate users on XDA Developers Forums, updating to later firmware version will break this functionality. Don’t ask me why the developers took this one step back.

So the best chance to use Samsung Gear S2 with iPhone is not to connect it to the Gear Manager app (on Android) at all. You will not be able to use it optimally, but in my opinion better than not connecting at all with your primary phone.

Activate Samsung Gear S2 in standalone mode – bypass the activation

iPhone FamilyLike most smartwatches, you need to connect the device as you unbox it with a smartphone running its supporting app. Same case with Samsung Gear S2, when you turn it on the very first time it will guide you to connect it through its Gear Manager companion app. Otherwise you will not be able to use it at all.

Turns out you can bypass this process and use it as standalone mode and only running with its default apps and watch faces. Here are the steps:

  1. When prompted to connect to Gear Manager app, tap on the small yellow icon on the top of the screen multiple times.
  2. A message will pop up and ask you do a long press, follow the instructions
  3. Viola, it will open the home screen and you can start using the watch

Next step is to connect the watch with your iPhone via Bluetooth like you normally do with other accessories. There, you have successfully connected Samsung Gear S2 with your iPhone.

What’s working and what’s not

Samsung Gear S2 - Default Watch FacesAs mentioned above, do not expect anything fancy out of your Gear S2 in standalone mode. The default apps are very limited and you cannot add new watch faces. You’ll get almost every single notification, including when you are getting an incoming call, from your iPhone on the Gear S2 screen. The bad news is you cannot actually interact with it.

So far, I can live with this. At least until Samsung fulfills its promise and get Gear Manager app available in the App Store.


Update January 7, 2017: Samsung Gear S on App Store

Samsung’s official Gear S for iOS has been officially released and can be downloaded here.
Thanks for all readers who have been following and contributing to this post.

Update April 14, 2016: Gear Manager iOS leak

One of the fine readers of this post shared what seems to be a leaked (non-final) version of Samsung Gear Manager for iOS. Please read this comment below onwards for steps to connect the app from your iPhone to the Gear S2. Thank you David, Steven, Matchev and Russ for sharing your experience testing the leaked/demo app.


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147 Comments Connecting Samsung Gear S2 with iPhone

  1. Sandu

    This solution is working for me, i have Samsung Gear S2 SM-E720 firmware version R720XXU2DPFB pairing with iPhone 6 iOS 10.1.1

    Download this ipa file, open with iTunes and sync and install on your iPhone https://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3935468&d=1479053128
    To make this app working in iPhone, go to iphone settings > general > device management and trust the samsung certificate
    Open the app in iPhone
    Perform a full reset for GEAR S2 and tap three times on the yellow icon when is starting
    Pair the Gear with iPhone
    Thats all…

    Credits to XDA Developers:

    https://forum.xda-developers.com/gear-s2/general/leaked-gear-manager-ios-iphone-7-t3499304

    Reply
  2. Nitish Udupa

    Hey guys…. I have a Samsung gear s2 Classic…… I have done everything that has been mentioned above….. But my iPhone cannot find my gear at all….. I’ve trying so many times…… It’s just not visible on my iPhone….. But its successfully pairing with my friend’s S7 edge….. Please help me!!

    Reply
  3. Nypapaya

    FOR GEAR FIT2 : The beta testflight program was launched on Aug24 with both S2 and Fit2 iOS test app. Samsung is no longer accepting application for S2 test, but FIt2 still available.
    Go to this link- https://ko.surveymonkey.com/r/LWCPBRQ
    you can use translator, or just ‘guess’, the lower right dark grey button is ‘continue’. There is one box for user data collection agreement to check in page 2, page3 from top to down is – Apple ID (provide your apple ID email to receive redeem code for TestFlight app), sex (male, female), age group, iphone model, last box to check is ‘Please select your model of Samsung Gear revelation he is currently in use.’ Now only Fit 2 option is available.
    You will receive a email from Samsung in about 8 hours, then follow the instruction in the email to download the app.

    Reply
    1. Nypapaya

      Noted:
      1. The redeem code is bound with applicant’s apple ID so it’s not shareable.
      2. Test period is to September 19. Not sure if the app will be disabled on the date, but expect the roll out of official version soon after.

      Reply
    1. Michael

      You need to find the iOS .ipa file first, should be shared on the comments above. Then use diawi.com to install the app on your iPhone. Just keep in mind that it is not an officially launched app, so you may find some issues during installation or operation.

      Reply
      1. Joe W

        I have Gear S2 contacted to my iPhone 6. I can see on Gear mail, messages, CNN notifications, I can see them when I swipe. I don’t get any notification when they arrive, light up the screen and show the notification. Is this what you get from the Beta version?

        Reply
        1. Michael

          Hi Joe – Could you confirm that you are connecting your iPhone and Gear S2 using Gear Manager or BT connection only? If from Gear Manager, try to look into Notifications setting.

        2. Hari

          Hello, could you please tell me how to keep connecting gear with my iPhone 6. I have gear s3 and always disconnected. Iam very tired on connection. Any suggestions please. Is there any apps that helps to connect my iPhone with gear very properly.

  4. Diana

    Hello! Thanks to this post, I have found out how to install ipa files on my unjailbroken iPhone without the use of a laptop (all hail Diawi.com!!) and also I am now test driving a beautiful Gear S2 Classic paired with a 6S Plus!! One question, maybe someone bumped into this: was anybody able to change the display language of the watch? I see it in my native language and I want to change it to English, but for the life of me I cannot find such a setting, neither in the app nor the watch…

    Reply
    1. Michael

      Hello Diana – Unfortunately the language setting is only switchable from Gear Manager app on Android. This means if the option is not available on the iOS app, you cannot change it. A solution would be to borrow a friend’s Galaxy S phone, install the Gear Manager there, connect it with your Gear S2, change the language setting, unpair it, then connect it with your iPhone.

      Reply
  5. AlexDee

    July 8 … and still no news on the release of the official Gear Manager app. At this point I assume that will be released no earlier than October-November. And I think that Samsung is also working on “S-Healt” for iOs…

    Reply
    1. Michael

      I wonder if Samsung is waiting until it is tested on iOS 10. Or who knows, the latest iOS could offer even better integration with its Gear Manager store. I really prefer for them to release when it’s fully stable than having it untested in production environment like its Gear Watch Designer, which is completely unusable.

      Reply
      1. Joseph Chen

        Hi Michael,

        Today, 8/10/2016, I tried calling my iPhone and to my surprise, the S2 was able to pick up the call, and also I used S2 to call other phone and the other phone showed the iPhone #. In other words, the at&t NumberSync is back working again.

        On the S2, the NumberSync is still not visible. I’m mystified how it can work now without manually setting it up on the S2 and iPhone. Just hope it stays unbroken!

        FYI, I had done numerous hard and light resets.

        Reply
  6. Awesome Dad

    Quick update number sync now works, it requires wifi calling to be turned on under iPhone settings, the watch will then generate a code for setup. Also not all free watch faces seem to be available in the gear App Store.

    Reply
    1. Joseph Chen

      I had previously reported that the number sync worked effortlessly on my at&t 4g Classic. However, after the latest update, the number sync option is no longer shown up on the s2, therefore, there is no way to sync the s2 with my iPhone 6+. I even tried to pair it with my NOTE 3, but my S2 still doesn’t show NumberSync afterwards, so this is definitely caused by the latest update. Called at&t which then transferred to a Samsung tech support, who told me to bring it to a Best Buy store. Told the Samsung guy (located overseas) that I knew more about s2 than the local Best Buy Samsung guys, he told me to bring it to a Samsung repair shop.

      Reply
      1. Michael

        Hi Joe – It is unfortunate that you the latest update breaks the connection between your S2 and iPhone 6+. When using unofficially released apps such as the Gear Manager Lite for iOS, an update always carry the risk of breaking the app’s functionality. I wonder if other users also face the same situation after the update.

        Reply
  7. Awesome Dad

    I was pleased to get my Gear S2 and iPhone 6plus up and communicating today thanks to this thread. I really did not want to downgrade firmware. I did notice not all the free watch faces are available in the gear store but small price to pay. If anyone is able to get number sync the att to work please update…

    JJ

    Reply
  8. Fred Turner

    I just got a Gear Fit. The only “android” type phone we have in the house is my son’s Amazon Fire Phone. I downloaded the gear manager apk and installed it. It would not recognize the phone. Downloaded Open Fit and it worked but wouldn’t download any additional apps. I checked the firmware and it’s the most recent. Just by chance, I downloaded the version 1 of the gear manager. Works perfectly. I wanted to try and load Aerlink in the hopes I can eventually connect it to my iPhone. Can’t figure out how to load additional apps. Downloaded the new gear manager for iOS that was referenced earlier but it doesn’t work either. Has anybody figured out a way to connect this to an iPhone?

    Reply
  9. AlexDee

    Hello to all. Use with satisfaction the Gear S2 Sports with iPhone 6 and, for now, it works well. When I run, at the end of the session it gives me the route summary, heart rate, mileage, etc. Is there a way to see them again? They disappear and I can not see them.
    Anyway I hope this app will be officially released at the earliest, by the end of June, we hope!

    Reply
  10. Fred Turner

    Would this work to connect a Gear Fit to an iPhone? I downloaded the ear fit app but it won’t connect. Did everything others have suggested in this thread.

    Reply
    1. Kenya Foster

      Did you ever figure out how to get your gear fit connected to your iPhone. I want to buy the gear fit 2.

      Reply
      1. Michael

        Hi Kenya – It seems that Samsung Gear Fit2 uses a different app than Gear Manager discussed in this post. So far I have not heard Samsung planning to release the iOS version. Even if they are, I wouldn’t give it too much hope considering how Gear Manager for iOS has not been officially launched yet to this date.

        But maybe other readers could share a more positive information about this.

        Reply
  11. Sean

    Hi there everyone
    My iPhone 6 is not jailbroken and i am not considering it.
    Its IOS is 9.3.1
    I factory reset my gear S2 so that its firmware is the one you guys mentioned above.
    However, i am not able to see the my gear s2 when i try to connect my s2 to my iPhone via BT
    Any one could help on this?
    Many thanks!

    Reply
    1. nypapaya (@nypapaya)

      For the Samsung Gear lite you don’t need to jailbreak your iphone to install. Simply add to itunes phone apps, then connect your iphone to load it.
      After that go to setting -> general -> Device management and select trust for Samsung electronics.
      As for the firmware and connection, be care and read this –
      1. Original AOJ3 version, iphone can detect and activate the watch, also can send notifications, however notification won’t be in queue and there are no other feature of the phone can be used.

      2. If you want to use Samsung Gear lite for iphone you need to update to lastest CPC5 version, however you will need to borrow a Android phone with Samsung Gear S2 App on it to do the upgrade, you can’t upgrade through WiFi.

      3. If you do upgrade watch to CPC5, you will find you can’t see the watch from BT page in setting. Don’t panic, DO A FACTORY RESET on the watch and then launch the Samsung Gear lite for iphone and it will automatically connect the watch.
      HOWEVER – the only apps you can load to the phone without hung at ‘installing – 100%’ are watch faces and apps from samsung. 3RD PARTY APP WILL HUNG AT ‘INSTALLING XXXAPP FOR GEAR S2 100%’ AND WILL NOT COMPLETE’ , that just means Samsung has not ENABLE the signing FOR THE 3rd party apps in the Lite version.

      Here are list of APPS I can install – Weather,Calender,Timer, Alarm,Voice memo, Maps, calculator, Transit and any watchfaces. Also I can get all the notification from my iPhone.
      NOTE: The latest CPC5 version came with some extra apps packed in firmware, such as world clock, news briefing and some new watchfaces.

      Reply
  12. Tom

    Also do I need to downgrade the watches firmware. Keep getting that error message when opening the app

    Reply
  13. Tom

    Can you post how I can get my gear s2 WiFi 4g to work with my iPhone se as well as number link. Also Alberto can you post that in English thanks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
    1. Tom Stassle

      Tried it again and just get the unable to open the samsung gear s2 lite app your simulator does not support it message is there a way around this iPhone se please let me know thanks

      Reply
      1. Jayme

        For some reason cannot get it to work on my iPhone 6s. I have followed the steps above and the S2 app on my iPhone just wont pick up the watch…odd. Also the software after the update (via friends android phone) and then factory reset says R730AUCU1AOl3….any ideas?

        Reply
  14. Karla

    Hello I just got ahead s2 Classic and I have an iPhone 6s Plus 9.3.1 and I’m having trouble connecting it can someone he me plz

    Reply
    1. Russ Dyer

      I had the same issue. The first step is that you will have to find a friend with an Android phone, have them download the gear manager app and connect your watch to their phone. Then in the Gear manager app on their phone, you update your samsung gear s2 with the latest firmware. once its updated you can disconnect it from their phone and the connection process should work with your iphone. check back up this thread for the detailed instructions.

      Reply
  15. Jordan

    Just curious, the first time I successfully linked the Gear S2 Lite iPhone app to the S2 the notification icons actually showed the real app icons from the iPhone (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc). After doing a factory reset, now I only get the generic icons in the S2. Anyone else experience this?

    Reply
    1. Jordan Monson

      Well, after letting it sit for about 8 hours, all of the notification icons from the iPhone have reloaded. Back to normal. However, I am not successfully able to install anything from the Gear Store (apps/watch faces). It hangs at 100% and never completes. Anyone else have this issue?

      Reply
      1. lovesammy

        The unofficial iPhone s2 app doesn’t have the option to install any app on iPhone. And it doesn’t have the option to reply to message or email – just browse,delete and block. When it was paired with my Note 3, there are several options for the message/email received: reply, delete, archive, etc. Hopefully, the official version – if ever released – will have the same options as the ones available when it’s paired with Samsung/Android phone.

        Many thanks to Michael, MATCHEV and NERODRAGO, My iPhone GEAR S2 manager finally worked! Yes, I needed to unpair the s2 from my Note 3 and forget the s2 from my iPhone 6 Plus.

        I have the at&t 3g/LTE classic s2. The at&t NumerSync works very well. I’m also able to receive/make call when it’s connected via BT. Love my s2😡

        Reply
        1. frip745

          You can install apps and watch faces, just not all of them. Try a few and you’ll find which ones you can install.

        2. Jordan Monson

          Wow, you’re right! After failed attempts to install Yelp and the CNN Watchface, it did successfully install TinyWeb. So this validates you CAN install from the iOS Gear Lite app. We should contribute a list of successful installs. So far TinyWeb successfully install.

      2. Nerodrago

        A new bug has arose for some. When respringing the device or rebooting (iPhone) it puts the gear into an automatic lite reset upon the app reconnecting.

        Reply
  16. NeroDrago

    I have tested this extensively on the blue tooth version. (sm-r720)

    What I have found is this.

    1. Device must be updated via connection with an android device. Version as of this post is R720XXU2CPC5.
    2. Device after update must then be factory reset. Set iPhone to forget connection if previously connected. (Also remember to forget connection on android or a bug will persist as it will connect again and cause your gear to constantly reboot. If this happens you will need to factory reset, uninstall the ios app (yes uninstall the app is required) and install again.
    3. After device is waiting to connect simply start your gear manager s2 lite and it will find and pair with your device.
    4. Have fun

    BONUS.

    This app states it requires IOS 8.4 or higher. If you have stayed on a lower firmware and are jailbroken simply download IPAINSTALLER set it to force install and to bypass firmware check. I have tested it to work on 8.3 (iPhone 6+) with no troubles. If someone with lower firmware test and it works for you please go ahead and let people know 🙂

    Reply
    1. Michael

      This is very valuable information for other readers who are still facing problem to connect their iPhone with Samsung Gear S2. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    1. Karl

      when i click that link it says “The file you requested has been removed from MediaFire for a violation of our Terms of Service. “

      Reply
      1. Peter

        I’m sure this is a total novice question, but how do I install that app on my iphone 6?

        Thanks faolks!

        Reply
        1. Peter

          OK – thought I was on the right path – even got the Gear S2 app on my phone! When I try and open the app, I get an error message that No Gear devices..

  17. Patrick

    Just got my Gear S2 Sport and installed my IOS Gear Manager app – No Problems. First search for the Gear S2 found and paired successfully. Has anyone been able to find out how to transfer music from your iPhone to the Gear S2? I don’t see the Send Content function in the IOS app. Ideas? way to connect Gear S2 directly to the computer to transfer? What about more insight on what apps work with IPhone and not?

    Reply
    1. James Coupe

      Hi, I downloaded the update via an android phone but it wouldn’t install it even though it spent 30 mins transferring it to the watch. I’d done a full factory reset prior to the download and paired it with the android phone. Any ideas why it would work? I’ve paired with an iphone 6s no issues but really want the Gear manager app.

      Reply
      1. Markek

        The Gear 2 also runs Tizen. Is there a chance of it working? Would I need to jail break it somehow?

        Thanks,

        Reply
    1. Marcco

      It’s working with iPhone 5C, connection is really simple and all notification works(messages, tasks, calls, news)

      Reply
  18. k1ck4ss

    i just tried this on my iPhone 4S.
    The gear manager app does start, but as soon as i press the “scan” button it tells me my iPhone 4S is not supported.
    Did anyone else try this? Is there some workaround?

    Reply
  19. Steven Waite

    I just started from scratch. I wasn’t bothered about upgrading the firmware because I have successfully downgraded before. I factory reset the watch and connected to Samsung gear on an Android phone. I then updated the firmware, then factory reset the watch again. I then had no trouble connecting with the newly installed Gear S2 app on my iPhone. The app did say if I had 3g, there would be 2 bluetooth requests and to accept both, but I only had 1 bluetooth connection. Previously, I had no success trying to upgrade the watch by connecting the watch to wifi, It just said latest version installed but it was on the original firmware.

    Reply
    1. Peter

      HELP! PLEASE! – I’ve reset, downloaded, forgot, reconnected, deleted, reinstalled… And I cannot get my Gear S2 (3g/4g) to connect properly wuth the Gear Lite app to my iPhone 6. Both devices have the latest software updates etc…

      Can someone please put a detailed, step-by-step process for connecting the Gear to the app on the phone. One thing I cant figure out is if the Gear needs to be connected to the same wifi as the iPhone, or even at all…

      Thanks folks!

      Reply
      1. Michael

        Unfortunately I can’t help much on this, Peter. But what I know is the Gear and phone should connect via bluetooth, not wifi. Is your iPhone able to see or connect with your Gear as a bluetooth device?

        Reply
        1. Peter

          Hi Michael – thanks for taking the time to try and help me! Yes, I can pair the Gear to the iPhone, and I’ve done software updates, and factory resets. I’ve also tried connecting the app with the devices BT connected as well as after telling the iPhone to “forget the device.”

          The 3/g/4g mirroring via AT&T is working fine… but regardless, the app keeps talling me ther are no Gear devices…

          🙁

        2. Michael

          I wonder if the Gear Manager Lite app does not work with 3G version of Gear S2.. Hopefully another user could confirm this, or provide a solution for you.

    1. Michael

      The dream is to have the app officially released and everything is working seamlessly. But we are getting very close. At least we know that Samsung is actually working on iOS compatibility and this is not just an empty promise from them. Exciting development.

      Reply
  20. Matchev

    Yes, here’s the step 3 update :

    3. Update your S2, enable BT on iPhone and delete (or forgett) the Gear Watch (proviously connected with BT)

    Reply
  21. Russ Dyer

    I’ll be doing this in about an hour with a workmate in another building. Everyone in my dept is iphone bound.
    For Step 4 – do I also turn bluetooth back on on my iphone?

    Reply
  22. Russ Dyer

    ok. I will search out a workmate with an android phone and run through the steps. I did connect my gear to my home wifi and go to check for update on the watch and is said there were no updates … is this a different software check?

    Reply
    1. Matchev

      Yep, in the case I describe, that’s not the Watch who goes to search for firmware, but the Gear Watch Manager, who downloads the firmware and send it to the Watch. You can tell to your workmate that he don’t have to worrie about his data, cause you have to reset your watch right after the update 😉

      Reply
    1. Matchev

      I think you have the wrong firmware (old one). Follow these steps :

      1. Reset your Gear and disable BT on your iPhone
      2. Connect your Gear to Samsung Gear app on an Android Phone
      3. Update your S2
      4. Reset your S2 and disable BT on the Android phone
      5. Connect your S2 to Samsung Gear app on the iPhone

      Reply
  23. Russ Dyer

    Negative on the gear app after a reset. I was able to see it in my iphone bluetooth settings and pair without going into stand alone mode on the watch though. Im guessing my firmware is not the same as Steven Waite has.

    Reply
  24. Russ Dyer

    Went into iphone and selected “forget” to forget bluetooth connection, then opened up gear app but still gear app cannot see S2 classic. Does the gear app use bluetooth or wifi ? (signed in with my google id this time instead of my twitter – Im still kiwiruss)

    Reply
  25. Steven Waite

    Another update. No access to Samsung store (paid apps) so all the apps and watch faces available are Free.

    Reply
    1. Jayme

      Hey Steven…I cannot get my iPhone 6s to connect with the S2 via the gear app…not sure if there is a trick I need to do, I did the update on a friends phone and then did the “trust” on the iPhone…cant seem to get them to see each other,

      Reply
  26. Steven Waite

    Quick update. Apps and watch faces take a while to download. Gear S2 app needs to be running in the background or connection is lost.

    Reply
  27. Steven Waite

    Well, I have just installed the Gear S2 app on my iPhone 6s Plus and can confirm that IT WORKS!!
    Still checking it out at the moment but you can install Samsung Gear Apps including watch faces and apps seem to be available as on the Android version. You cannot interact with notifications still, only dismiss.
    If you have iOS 9 or higher you will get the warning that Apple will not allow the Gear app to run. Go to Settings/General/Device Management and allow the Gear S2 app. Not sure how close this is to the finished Gear S2 app but looks ok so far. Many thanks to David for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Michael

      Thanks for sharing your test Steven. I guess this app is a real deal and very positive sign that Samsung is close in getting the Gear Manager app ready for iOS. The requirement to always run on background is probably the big roadblock as I suspected.

      Reply
    1. Matchev

      I’ve tried, but it says I have to update my Gear… and I’m not sure I want to yet… Can you give us a feedback of the use of this app ?

      Reply
      1. Michael

        I haven’t tried it myself and prefer to wait until it is officially available on the App Store, but would appreciate others’ experience with test version which David shared. I hold no responsibility if something bad happens though 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sarkis Arutiunian

      When i press (connect to gear) in app, i get notification. (Unable to open the Samsung Gear S2 Lite app. Your Simulator does not support it.) How can i solve this problem? Thank you!

      Reply
        1. matchev

          no no no… Simulator does not support it has nothing to do with device management… it’s simply because iPhone SE is too new (or the app too old) and they not included this condition…
          I have a 5S : no problem, and with my SE : simulator does not support….

      1. Michael

        It seems the link has been removed by the request from Samsung directly. Obviously they do not want it to be used publicly yet. In that case, I do not dare to re-upload the app.

        Reply
  28. Steven Waite

    I queried these so called IOS rumours with Samsung support and this was their reply on 11th April 2016…..
    “Further to your enquiry in regards to the compatibility of the Samsung Gear devices, I can confirm that Samsung devices have an Android operating system. Currently Android and IOS are not compatible and I am unable to confirm whether they will be in the future”
    My question was could they confirm reports of IOS compatibility? We either have a long wait or it’s never going to happen. In the meantime, I’m using my Gear S2 with very limited functionality with my iPhone 6s plus. (original firmware) Don’t upgrade the firmware or this will stop the pairing with iOS.

    Reply
    1. Michael

      I do not think it is just a rumor. However at the same time Samsung has an extensive product line and its support team is only allowed to make statements for officially available features or products. I am pretty sure Samsung is really working on Gear Manager app for iOS. But seeing their track record between promising a software release until actual delivery, the customers need to be very very patient.

      Reply
  29. Russ Dyer

    Just ordered a Gear S2 classic refurb yesterday for $244 . I hope the IOS gear app comes soon as I have the Iphone 6Plus. Although in the long term I’d like to go back to android and get a Galaxy S7 Edge.

    Reply
  30. Richard M

    I was also unable to pair with my iPhone 6Plus from standalone mode. The device never appears as an available connection on the iPhone. As you say, it’s probably running a newer firmware version already since I purchased the S2 in mid-March. Sigh… I wouldn’t be so dead set on looking for an Apple Watch alternative if they’d just close a few fundamental gaps. A smart watch is essentially a watch that serves other functions rather than the other way around. Why not have an “always on” mode like Samsung and Android Wear? Why not open the floodgates to functional and attractive watch faces? I guess I’ll continue to get by with my Apple Watch until either Samsung or Android Wear are allowed better operational access to Apple devices or Apple wakes up and makes the Apple Watch a better “watch.”

    Reply
    1. Michael

      Hi Richard – I couldn’t agree more with your opinions. Had been looking at Apple Watch for 6 months before decided to buy Gear S2 in the end, because of the always on and better looking watch faces to mention some of the reasons. Unfortunately for me, I could still connect the S2 with my iPhone in standalone mode. If Samsung could deliver their promise and get the companion iOS app out soon, no question it will make it a much more popular wearable device.

      Reply
    2. Harlow

      I bought my S2 in early March and am running a 6s Plus 128gb. My phone never saw the watch when trying to connect.
      I connected my watch to my brothers Samsung phone then IMMEDIATELY disconnected it.
      Then tried again connecting to my iPhone and this time it showed up and connected with zero problems.

      Reply
  31. James Coupe

    Works no problems thanks. Full notifications on the watch but no control of the phone and no apps.

    Just need to know when the Gear manager app becomes available?

    Reply
    1. Michael

      Hi James – When Samsung is actually going to release Gear Manager app for iOS is the million dollar question. Software delivery is still the weak link in Samsung’s attempt to dominate this very demanding market. They have done the right things when it comes to hardware though.

      The official statement only described the timeline as “some time this year”. So it could be as far as 9 months away from now, but let’s hope for the better.

      Reply
      1. James Coupe

        Hi again, there are a few rumours around today that there is an update being issued later this month when the Gear Manager App will be released on iOS! Looks like we’re nearly there then.

        Reply
        1. Michael

          Not being pessimistic, that was also what they said in February. Hopefully this time it is true. Samsung knows this could boost the S2 sales as they will untap a much larger market when the app becomes available on iOS. Let me know if you’ve seen it on the App Store before I do!

        2. ruci1225

          I can connect Gear 2 to IPhone via blue tooth but it does nothing. no notifications..etc I do not have Gear manager installed what is expectations of Bluetooth only from iPhone to gear s2? It is in standalone and not tied to a carrier.

    1. Michael

      Hey Hải Đăng – If you manage to get the watch to go into standalone mode but still cannot pair it with iPhone, then most likely it is already running on a later version of firmware unfortunately. But to be certain, you can try to do a Hard Reset by following the instructions here then do the steps above.

      Reply

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