Session Status

Due to inactivity, your session will end in approximately 2 minutes. Extend your session by clicking OK below.

Due to inactivity, your session has expired. Please sign in again to continue.

Samsung Gear S3 frontier / Gear S3 classic - Activate / Set Up Device

2026-10-27 09:42:40.095

Samsung Gear S3 frontier / Gear S3 classic - Activate / Set Up Device

Here's how to activate and setup your Gear S3 frontier / Gear S3 classic.
Set up your Gear S3 using one of the following device options:
  • Set Up Using an Android™ smartphone
  • Set Up Using an Apple® iPhone®
  • Set Up as a Standalone Device

Set Up Using an Android Smartphone

  • Ensure your Gear S3 has been set up as a Number Share device or as a standalone connected device.
    To set up with Number Share, the companion smartphone must be activated on the same Verizon account as the Gear S3.
  • Before completing the steps below, verify:
    • your companion Android smartphone has a cellular or wi-fi connection.
    • you're in a Verizon coverage area.
  1. Ensure the Gear S3 is charged and powered on.
    If necessary, tap the display to begin.
  2. Install the Galaxy Wearable app Galaxy Wearable app icon on your companion Android smartphone.
  3. Open the
    Galaxy Wearable app
    .
  4. Tap
    Get Started
    .
  5. Tap
    Gear S3
    .
    If prompted, tap
    Allow
     to approve the necessary permissions.
  6. From the 'Devices spotted nearby' screen, tap
    Gear S3
    .
  7. From the 'Connect to Gear S3' prompt, tap
    OK
    .
  8. Ensure the passkey matches what's displayed on the watch then tap
    OK
     on the smartphone and the
    Checkmark icon
     Checkmark icon on the Gear S3.
  9. Review the Privacy Policy and End User License Agreement on your smartphone then tap
    Agree
    .
    Congrats on Gear S3
  10. If using a non-Samsung Android smartphone to complete setup, when prompted with 'Allow Galaxy Watch PlugIn to...', tap
    ALLOW
    .
  11. Review (check) the Terms and conditions for each option then tap
    Next
    .
    You can agree to all or some of the services; however, accepting all the Samsung services improves your experience on the Gear S3.
    Select Options
  12. If prompted, tap
    SIGN INto complete Samsung account setup.
    Sign into Samsung
  13. If prompted, tap
    Check for backup
     to retrieve a previous Samsung smart watch backup.
    If you prefer to set up as new, tap
    Skip for now
    .
  14. Select the data (e.g., Phone, Messages, etc.) you want to restore then tap
    Restore
    .
    Selected when a checkmark is present.
    If troubleshooting, don't restore the device until all testing has been completed.
    Restore Backups
  15. At the 'All done! Activation complete.' screen on the watch, tap
    OK
    .
Continue to use in conjunction with a companion smartphone for maximum functionality.

Set Up Using an Apple iPhone

  • Ensure your Gear S3 has been set up as a Number Share device or as a standalone connected device.
    To set up with Number Share, the companion Apple Iphone must be activated on the same Verizon account as the Gear S3.
  • Before completing the steps below, verify:
    • your companion Apple Iphone has a cellular or wi-fi connection.
    • you're in a Verizon coverage area.
  1. Ensure the Gear S3 is charged and powered on.
    If necessary, tap the display to begin.
  2. Install the Samsung Galaxy watch (Gear S) app Galaxy Wearable app icon on the companion Apple iPhone.
  3. Open the Samsung Galaxy watch (Gear S) app.
  4. If prompted with 'Galaxy Watch would like to make data available to nearby bluetooth devices', tap
    OK
    .
    If necessary, tap
    Settings
     then tap the
    Bluetooth switch
     to turn on On switch icon.
  5. Tap
    START THE JOURNEY
    .
  6. Tap
    Gear S3 Frontier/Classic
    .
    If prompted, tap
    Connect
     to confirm bluetooth connection.
  7. From the 'Watches spotted nearby' screen, tap
    Gear S3
    .
  8. From the bluetooth Pairing Request prompt, tap
    Pair
     on the Iphone and the
    Checkmark icon
     Checkmark icon on the Gear S3.
  9. Review the End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy, check the desired options (e.g., Bixby> and other voice services, Report diagnostic info) then tap
    AGREE
    .
    Agree to continue
  10. Tap 'Allow' or 'OK' to let Galaxy Watch send you notifications, access your calendar, or access your contacts.
  11. Tap
    SIGN IN
     to complete Samsung account setup.
    Samsung account
  12. Tap
    Finish
    .
    Finish
  13. At the 'All done! Activation complete.' screen on the watch, tap
    OK
    .
Continue to use in conjunction with a companion smartphone for maximum functionality.

Set Up in Standalone Mode

  • The Gear S3 requires a companion phone for certain options (e.g., software updates, email, etc.).
  • Standalone mode can't be used with Number Share or the stand alone connected device plan and provides limited functionality.
    Continue to use in conjunction with a companion phone for maximum functionality.
  1. Ensure the Gear S3 is charged and powered on.
    If necessary, tap the watch display to begin.
  2. From the 'Let's go' screen, swipe up.
  3. Tap
    More Info
    .
    Get Started More Info
  4. Scroll to the bottom, then tap
    here
     (underlined, in blue).
  5. Review the 'Continue without connecting' notice and choose
    Continue
    .
    If you select Restart the watch will power off and on then return to the 'Let's go' screen.
    Continue without connecting
  6. Review the 'End User License Agreement' and 'Privacy Policy', tap
    Agree
    .
    Agree to end user license and privacy policy
  7. Read and agree to the terms and conditions then tap
    Next
    .
    Terms and conditions
  8. From the 'Samsung account' screen, tap
    Next
    .
    Tap Next
  9. Tap the desired wi-fi network.
    If necessary, tap the
    Refresh icon
     Refresh WiFi to refresh the list of available wi-fi networks or the
    Add icon
     Add WiFi to manually add a wi-fi network to the watch.
    If you choose 'SKIP', you can add a wi-fi network after setup is complete.
    Select WiFi
  10. From the 'Create PIN' screen, tap
    Next
    .
  11. Enter a 4-digit PIN then enter the 4-digit PIN again to confirm.
  12. At the 'All done! Activation complete.' screen, tap
    OK
    .