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Samsung has begun rolling out the One UI 8 Watch update for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, marking the last major software release for the company’s first Wear OS-based smartwatches. The initial rollout started in South Korea and should expand to other regions over the coming days and weeks.
How to download the update right now
If you own a Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 4 Classic and live in South Korea, you can check for the update immediately from your paired Android phone. Open the Galaxy Wearable app, go to Watch settings > Watch software update, then tap Download and install. Once the update finishes downloading, choose Install now — your watch will restart after the installation completes.
Tip: make sure your watch battery is at 50% or higher before starting the update. The installation file is sizable (over 1GB), so a stable Wi‑Fi connection and enough phone storage will help the process go smoothly.
What’s new in One UI 8 Watch?
One UI 8 brings a significant visual refresh and several usability upgrades. Samsung has redesigned the interface with more configurable Tiles pages that can hold multiple widgets, introduced new watch faces and complications, and added a Now Bar to display ongoing activities like music playback and workouts.
- Tiles and widgets: Populate Tiles with several widgets for faster access to key info.
- Now Bar: A persistent area to monitor active tasks — think music, timers, and exercise sessions.
- Double Pinch gestures: Expanded gesture controls for quicker interactions without touching the screen.
- Notifications: Improved view with stacked notifications for a cleaner glance experience.
- Charging effects: New visual effects while the watch charges.
- Samsung Health and app drawer: Health gets added features, while the app drawer gains a list view with alphabetical sorting plus a new grid option to find apps faster.
Firmware, delivery and a few technical notes
The initial firmware identifiers are R870XXU1JYK4 for the Galaxy Watch 4 (Wi‑Fi only) and R880XXU1JYK4 for the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (Wi‑Fi only). The update file exceeds 1GB. Samsung hasn’t confirmed whether cellular models have received the same build yet, so owners of LTE variants should keep an eye on the Galaxy Wearable app over the next few days.
Why this matters
Launched in mid‑2021 as Samsung’s first Wear OS lineup, the Galaxy Watch 4 series has already seen multiple major upgrades — including builds based on Wear OS 5 and Wear OS 6. One UI 8 is positioned as their final major software refresh, delivering a more modern UI and convenience-focused features that extend the watches’ usefulness beyond their hardware lifecycle.
If you rely on the Watch 4 for workouts, notifications, or quick hands‑free actions, this update packs several small but meaningful improvements that make daily use smoother and more polished.
Source: sammobile
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