CES 2017 was packed with mobile companies launching their new devices while others unveiled their innovative yet competitive units. Samsung, on the other hand, made one more announcement as the CES 2017 was about to close. The company launched two apps allowing compatibility between iOS devices and Samsung's Gear-branded wearables using Bluetooth.
The Samsung Gear S app and Samsung Gear Fit app allows iPhone users to set up and pair their Samsung Gear smartwatches with phones. The Gear devices were previously exclusive to Android devices.
Samsung Gear S App Finally Launched For iOS Devices - Ubergizmo https://t.co/6vvZCV2J1W #SamsungGearS pic.twitter.com/BTuGva9A7y
— Samsung Gear S (@SamsungGearS) January 8, 2017
The catch is that not every iPhone is able to support the app and Samsung noted that the features and functions may vary by device, according to 9To5Mac. If you have the Gear S2, Gear S3, and Gear Fit2, you can simply download the corresponding app. But make sure your iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, or iPhone SE is running on iOS 9.0 or above.
For the Gear S2 and Gear S3, the Classic and Frontier are included, users can download the Samsung Gear S app. For the Gear Fit2, users should download the Samsung Gear Fit app. Once the appropriate apps have been downloaded, users will be guided on how to complete the pairing of the watch and the smartphone.
According to Samsung, when the Gear wearables have been successfully paired with the iOS using Bluetooth, the Gear S app will allow users to download and install apps on the smartwatches and push notifications from the iPhones to the wearables. Of course, the app will allow users to sync health and fitness data using S Health.
Meanwhile, the Gear Fit app only supports notifications from the user's iPhone to the Gear wearable and sync health data to S Health. Engadget reported that the GPS and environmental sensors can be expected to function. However, not all integration would work for the iOS devices like that on Android phones.
Make sure to make space for the apps as the Samsung Gear S app requires 61.7MB while the Samsung Gear Fit app requires 59 MB. Samsung Gear S and Gear Fit apps are now available on the App Store for free for iPhone and iPad.
