Can Galaxy Watch be activated without Android?
In practice, most Galaxy Watch models still expect a one-time Android-assisted activation path for the smoothest start. Pure no-Android first-run setup is limited and can fail midway depending on model and firmware.
A temporary Android device for onboarding is the most reliable route, then you can continue with your target workflow after Merge is configured.
Fastest path with minimal Android dependency
Borrow an Android phone just for activation, firmware updates, and required store/sign-in steps. Complete Merge setup immediately after and validate core features before returning the phone.
This reduces friction and avoids partial setups that can create hard-to-diagnose Bluetooth instability later.
- Activate watch and update firmware once.
- Install Merge on watch and paired phone.
- Complete pairing and permissions in one session.
- Run notifications + call path tests.
- Confirm reconnect after a short Bluetooth toggle cycle.
After setup: keep it stable
Keep Merge available in recent apps and remove watch-side battery restrictions if present. This helps the watch maintain reliable background communication.
If issues appear after days of normal use, do one clean unpair/re-pair cycle before deeper troubleshooting.
