Advanced health tools require a Galaxy phone
If you own a Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 but not a Samsung smartphone, you’re being locked out of some of the most important features the device has to offer. ECG, blood pressure, and sleep apnea monitoring all require access to the Samsung Health Monitor app, which is only available to users of Samsung Galaxy phones. This means that even in regions where these features are legally permitted and accessible, they remain out of reach for anyone using a non-Galaxy Android phone.
It’s also important to note that Samsung Health Monitor isn’t the same as Samsung Health, the company’s broader wellness app that works on most Android devices. Health Monitor, on the other hand, is a specialized tool that only runs on Galaxy smartphones. Since its initial release in 2020 alongside the Galaxy Watch Active 2, the app has expanded its capabilities to include irregular heart rhythm detection and sleep apnea monitoring. Each of these features is vital to tracking serious health conditions that affect millions of people worldwide.
Samsung’s control vs. user access
The World Health Organization estimates that around 1.4 billion adults aged 30 to 79 suffer from high blood pressure. Left unchecked, this condition is a leading cause of premature death. Similarly, sleep apnea, a condition marked by irregular breathing during sleep, can lead to cognitive and emotional decline and even heart disease. ECGs provide insights into heart rhythm and can be the first step toward identifying irregularities. These are not just numbers — they could be the early warning signs that lead users to seek medical attention.
Despite Android’s openness as a mobile platform, Samsung has chosen to lock these vital features behind a single app that is only available in the Galaxy App Store. The company claims that these tools are screening devices and not meant for diagnosis, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are only fully accessible to Galaxy phone owners. This exclusivity raises questions about whether Samsung is prioritizing business strategy over user accessibility and convenience.
Workarounds exist, but they’re risky and unstable
For those unwilling to commit to a Galaxy phone, there are a few workarounds being used by developers and tech-savvy users. These include modded versions of the Samsung Health Monitor app and third-party tools like GeminiMan Wellness Companion. However, these fixes are not without their drawbacks. They can introduce security vulnerabilities, making it easier for malware to infect devices. Users also report instability, with some experiencing crashes or loss of data. These solutions are far from reliable or safe.
One example of this workaround in action is the use of a HUAWEI P30 Pro paired with a Galaxy Watch 4, where the Health Monitor features were successfully accessed. This experiment demonstrates that the app's exclusivity is not a technical barrier but likely a strategic one. Samsung is making a deliberate choice to limit access to its own devices.
Other major wearable brands like Google, OnePlus, and Xiaomi have smartwatches that work on any Android phone, including models from competing manufacturers. Samsung is among the few that restricts feature access based on the user’s choice of phone. Until the company changes this policy, owning a Galaxy phone will remain the only way to fully utilize the health tools on the Galaxy Watch lineup.