Getting the newest devices in and the latest version of Android on-device go hand-in-hand, but Samsung’s newest Galaxy watch 8 isn’t exactly ready to handle the latest beta version of Android.
Update 7/22: With the rollout of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3, it appears that the previous bug that was blocking the Galaxy Watch Manager plugin from being installed has been resolved.
After installing the update, our Pixel 9 Pro Fold successfully switched a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic paired on a Galaxy S25 over, without a complete reset. Where the previous version of Android would have the Galaxy Wearable app crash at the Watch Manager prompt, the app powered through to pair the Watch 8 Classic.
If you’ve purchased a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic or Watch 8 while using a Pixel on Android 16 beta, it appears that there are no longer compatibility issues.
The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic are great devices. They seem to feel more comfortable on the wrist and look great, though that opinion might vary between some who don’t particularly like the cushion case design.
Samsung has used the opportunity to launch the new watches with One UI Watch 8, which runs on Wear OS 6. These are the first devices with Wear OS 6, and the change is immediately noticeable. Tiles are stacked now, and the entire UI feels a bit snappier, though some of that could be attributed to a shiny new SoC.
Unfortunately, some might find that there are compatibility issues out of the box for the Watch 8 series. If you’re using an Android device running any version of the Android 16 QPR1 beta – on a Pixel, for instance – you might find that the watch can not be paired to your phone.
This was first spotted a few weeks back when the Android 16 beta was a little fresher. The upgrade to an unfinished beta version of Google’s newest software meant Samsung’s devices were no longer compatible with paired phones. The specific issue came up while using Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.1 on a Pixel 8a, though we’ve had very similar issues while attempting to pair a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic to a Pixel 9 Pro Fold on the same build of Android.
In our case, the Galaxy Wearable app attempts to download the Watch Manager plugin, but the download fails and the app crashes. That, in turn, begins the pair process all over again, and the Watch 8 will have to restart in some instances. Overall, it’s a pain, but not an unexpected one.
If you’re looking to buy Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch 8 or Watch 8 Classic, do so with a public build of Android. It works perfectly fine on Pixels and other devices, with minor feature losses. Still, the two watches are a significant upgrade on any device.
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