Which Smartwatches Work with an iPhone? (UK Guide)

If you’re wondering whether your smartwatch will pair with an iPhone, here’s an updated UK-friendly compatibility guide for popular smartwatch brands.

Compatible Smartwatches with iPhone

• Samsung: Galaxy Watch (Series 1–3), Gear, Fit & Active
• Fitbit: Charge, Luxe, Versa & Sense
• Garmin: VivoActive, VivoMove, Venu, Fenix
• Xiaomi: Mi, Redmi, Amazfit
• Polar: Vantage M, Ignite, Unite

Most smartwatches can be connected to an Apple iPhone. The main exceptions are the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, which are not currently compatible with iPhones.

Using a Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch with iPhone

iPhones running iOS 9.0 or higher can connect to:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 1, Watch 2, and Watch 3
• Samsung Gear S2 and S3
• Samsung Galaxy Fit and Sport
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Active and Active 2

The Galaxy Watch 1–3 require at least iOS 9.0. The Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are not supported on iPhone.

Galaxy Gear Watch

The original Samsung Gear series is now considered outdated. They will work with iPhones on iOS 9 or lower, including Gear, Gear S2, and Gear S3 models. However, iPhones running iOS 10 or higher will have poor compatibility with Galaxy Gear models.

Samsung Galaxy Fit

The Galaxy Fit works with any iPhone running iOS 9.0 or higher. iPhones on iOS 9.0 or lower may connect, but stability issues are common.

Using Fitbit with iPhone

All Fitbit models work with the Fitbit App, which requires iOS 13 or later. This means you can use a Fitbit with an iPhone 6S or newer.

Is Garmin Compatible with iPhone?

Yes. All Garmin devices work via the Garmin Connect app, available for iOS 13.0 or later. This includes iPhone 6S and newer models.

Using Xiaomi Watches with iPhone

Xiaomi smartwatches run on Wear OS by Google, which pairs smoothly with Android devices but can be less reliable with iPhones. You’ll need the Wear OS by Google app from the App Store, although reviews indicate mixed results. Depending on the model, the Xiaomi Wear Lite app may be required for setup.

Using Polar Smartwatches with iPhone

Polar smartwatches work with iPhones running iOS 13 or later. However, Polar has noted compatibility issues with the iPhone 6 and 6S despite them supporting iOS 13. For best results, use an iPhone 7 or newer with the Polar Flow app.

Conclusion

In the UK, most smartwatches including Samsung (except Galaxy Watch 4/4 Classic), Garmin, Fitbit, Xiaomi, and Polar work well with an iPhone, provided you’re running iOS 13 or later. Always check the latest app requirements in the App Store before purchase to ensure compatibility.