Good news for Galaxy Watch 4 series owners! After some initial staggered releases, Samsung is now pushing out the highly anticipated One UI 8 Watch update globally. This significant software upgrade brings a fresh suite of features and improvements, breathing new life into your trusted smartwatch. It’s a testament to Samsung’s ongoing commitment to its older devices, ensuring they remain relevant and functional for users worldwide.
The journey for this update began last week, as the One UI 8 Watch update first landed for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic in Samsung’s home market of South Korea. Following this, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic in the USA also started receiving the update earlier today. Now, the rollout is expanding its reach, making its way to non-cellular variants of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic across Asia, including India, and through various regions in Europe. This global expansion means many more users will soon experience the enhancements firsthand.
Unpacking the Galaxy Watch 4 One UI 8 Update: What’s New?
This isn’t just a minor patch; it’s a substantial upgrade. The One UI 8 Watch update, based on Wear OS 6, clocks in at a hefty 1.7GB, indicating the breadth of changes it delivers. Users with the smaller variant of the smartwatch will see firmware version R880XXU1JYK4, while the larger model receives R890XXU1JYK4. Interestingly, the update also incorporates the October 2025 security patch, ensuring your device remains secure with the latest protections.(
But what new functionalities can you expect to find? The update brings a completely redesigned user interface, offering a more intuitive and visually appealing experience. Personalization gets a boost with the ability to create custom Tiles using widgets, allowing you to tailor your watch face and quick-access information to your specific needs. New Double Pinch gestures introduce more ways to interact with your watch, streamlining navigation and control with simple hand movements.
Notifications have also received a significant overhaul. You’ll find a redesigned notifications view that makes information clearer and easier to digest, alongside an improved, more straightforward method for responding to alerts. Navigating your apps becomes more fluid with new grid and list layouts for the app drawer, giving you options to suit your preferred style.
Among the standout new features is the ‘Now Bar,’ a clever addition that keeps all your ongoing activities—such as your music player, timers, stopwatches, or active workouts—conveniently visible. This means less fumbling and more focus on your current task. For health and wellness enthusiasts, the update introduces Bedtime Guidance and Mindfulness features, integrating seamlessly into your daily routine to help promote better sleep and mental well-being directly from your wrist. This makes your Galaxy Watch 4 One UI 8 update a true health companion.
How to Get Your One UI 8 Watch Update
If you own a Galaxy Watch 4 Classic in the specified regions, checking for the update is simple. Navigate to Settings > Software update on your smartwatch and tap Download and install. Alternatively, you can initiate the update through the Wearable app on your connected smartphone. Make sure your watch is sufficiently charged and connected to Wi-Fi for a smooth installation process.
While this Galaxy Watch 4 One UI 8 update is packed with exciting features, it’s also important to note that it’s likely the last major software update for the Galaxy Watch 4 series. Launched in mid-2021 with Wear OS 4 and One UI 5 Watch onboard, these devices have enjoyed a commendable run of software support. This final significant push from Samsung ensures that your Galaxy Watch 4 remains a capable and feature-rich companion for the foreseeable future, making it an excellent time to explore all the new functionalities.
Image Credit: SamMobile
