If you’re not able to connect your existing Samsung smartwatch (like Gear S3) to your newly bought Samsung Galaxy S24 series smartphone, please be informed that you’re not alone. Many people are struggling with this issue. And with the intention to help, I have collected a few workarounds that I found on the Internet.

However, please be informed that I haven’t tested any of these workarounds myself yet, so I am not endorsing any of them specifically. And if any of these workarounds causes any issues on your devices, I won’t be responsible. The only factor that made me highlight these workarounds was that these workarounds ended up successfully helping many other users as well.

So, without any further ado, let’s jump on to the workarounds immediately.

Workaround 1

This workaround involves around 7 steps, and was posted by user ‘evolutionarts‘ on the Gear S3 subreddit around 4 weeks ago. There are over 70 comments on this thread, and most of the people have confirmed the workaround has helped them. Following is the post:

1. Download the older versions of the wearables app and the gear S plugin app (I got the apps from apkpure.net)

2. Put your phone in airplane mode and enable bluetooth

3. Manually set the date on your phone to December 3 2023

4. Install the apps on your phone, wearable 1st plugin app 2nd

5. Power on your watch and connect your phone to the watch via bluetooth

6. The wear app should open and follow the setup instructions from there

7. After or near the end of setup you may need to connect your phone back to wifi or connect to restore your backup for the watch.

goodluck!

Below is a link to download the files.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11249dij-GEylIdGVnFuwgr5caWY7epJF

I also found the same workaround shared in the official Samsung forum, wherein at least one user confirmed it worked for them as well. Popular tech repair YouTuber, Louis Rossmann, also highlighted the workaround in their rant about the problem:

Workaround 2

In the same post which I cited in the previous section, another user ‘SWsilent_warrior‘ claimed they have an easier workaround. Following is what they posted:

1. Download the Galaxy Wearable (Samsung Gear) app from Google Play.

2. Make sure the Gear S Plugin is not installed.

3. Go to the link below and download version 2.2.03.23121551 of the Gear S Plugin https://apkpure.net/gear-s-plugin/com.samsung.android.gearoplugin/download#google_vignette

4. Install the Gear S Plugin you just downloaded from apkpure

5. Open the Galaxy Wearable (Samsung Gear) app and attempt to connect your S3 Frontier. It should connect now

This user also encouraged others to try this workaround with other Galaxy Gears and S24s. At least 3 other people confirmed it worked for them.

This same workaround was also shared in the official Samsung forum wherein multiple users confirmed it worked for them.

Workaround 3

I also found a video showing the pairing of Gear S3 Frontier with S24 series phone. However, looking at the comments below the video, it looks like the steps didn’t help everyone. However, I am still including it here for your reference. Please note that the video will play from the point the presenter starts pairing their S3 Frontier with their S24 phone.

Update 31/05/24: It appears that the creator of the video has made the video private for unknown reasons. Given the success of the workarounds mentioned above, I’d suggest trying them out.

Some other workarounds

I also found some users sharing the series of steps that worked for them specifically. However, these weren’t supported by (any or many) others. Still, I am linking to these comments so that if the above workarounds didn’t work for you, you can try these out. Here you go: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Other important details

It’s also worth mentioning that I also stumbled upon a Samsung support page where it is clearly listed that the Gear series of Samsung’s wearable devices isn’t compatible with Android 14 (which powers devices like the Galaxy S24 phones). Following are the exact words:

Gear Sport, Gear S2 Classic, Gear S3 Frontier, Gear S3 Classic, Gear Fit2, Gear Fit2 Pro: Phones with Android 4.3 – Android 13 and RAM 1.5 GB or higher are supported.
Note: These models are not compatible with Samsung Galaxy phones released with Android 14. This includes the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy A25, and Galaxy A15.

PS: I spent many hours researching this issue and read hundreds of user-comments in the process. If any of the workarounds listed above helped you, or you were helped by the article in any way, please give a like to this article, and also leave a comment below. This small gesture is all I need from my readers to keep coming up with such helpful articles. Thanks in advance.

Himanshu Arora
256 Posts

I have been writing tech-focused articles since 2010. In my around 15 years of experience so far, I have written for many leading publications, including Computerworld, GSMArena, TechSpot, HowtoForge, LinuxJournal, and MakeTechEasier to name a few. I also co-founded PiunikaWeb, which went on to become a huge success within 5 years of its inception. Here at TechIssuesToday, I aim to offer you helpful information in a way that you won't find anywhere else easily.

Comments

Himanshu Arora29-11-2024

Thanks @K9

K929-11-2024

Hello, Himanshu : Great Work!

Duncan726-11-2024

Option 2 is good but first manually change a date for December 2023. Thanks for your help :-)

Vujo_5516-10-2024

One more to confirm that workaround 2 worked for me on my s24+ and Gear s3. Thanks for help and sharing

Darren 19-09-2024

Hi, Just wanted to say that workout 2 worked for me and my S24 Ultra....my S3 is alive again not worn it since the end of 2023 it feels like a new watch... The process was easy and I wish you all the best top man... Supporting you from UK

Nismo17-09-2024

I'm wondering why there's not one negative review on here. Is it really working for every with the unknow file being installed/downloaded, because it wasn't the same story for me. Also, if this comment somehow get removed, I'll use my platform to spread awareness.

André Nyström17-09-2024

I can confirm that Workaround 2 works!! Atleast for me. This seems like the superior way to keep using your old trusty S3 with your new S24, only ONE file has to be downloaded/installed and that was this one: https://apkpure.net/gear-s-plugin/com.samsung.android.gearoplugin/download#google_vignette . It sets the S plugin to dec -2023. That means no tinkering with dates and other dreadfull steps. Thanks for sharing this! :D Saved me huge bucks!

Himanshu Arora08-07-2024

You're welcome @Walter.

Walter07-07-2024

works :-) Thanks

Derobita23-06-2024

The workaround #1 worked for me ! What a relief (Everybody finds my Galaxy S3 Frontier soooo Cool). Do not forget at the end to set the correct date and time on the Phone, get it out of Airplane mode, and enable mobile Data !

Jon22-06-2024

Workaround 2. Raskt og enkelt for Gear S3 på Galaxy S24.

James07-06-2024

Workaround Two worked for my A55 5G where as Workaround One didn't....

Johnny+30-05-2024

¡Thanks so much! Workaround 1 works for pairing S24 Ultra with Gear Sport (came with Note 9 and still like new)

TR25-05-2024

Excellent and universally helpful article.. not all heros wear capes.. well done Bud

Himanshu Arora19-05-2024

Thanks for your heartwarming comment @DrJoe. I am glad the article helped you.

Dr. Joe =)18-05-2024

I LOVE living in the 21st Century - Workaround 2 worked! Thanks for putting this together, Himanshu ... Fist Bump & Warm Smile! I purchased a couple of extra Galaxy Frontier S3 because I like the connectivity that my Invictas don't provide. I dressed up the Frontier S3 band and bezel in a more BizClass style (e.g., Rose Gold or navy Blue metal bands with a little bling around the bezel). But, I couldn't get the new "refurbished" watches I bought on E-bay to connect for the same reason we're all here. Ugh! THEN I FOUND YOU! Sounds like the making of a song. ;o) As I'm sure others were, I was skeptical of the APKPure download and researched the risk as best I could. I have pretty good AVG security protection, so I'm balancing and hedging risks, hoping that AVG catches any attacks and keeps my mobile and watches safe. It has worked GREAT on my PCs and other devices for over five years. I'm a solopreneur, so online security is a must. I loaded two (2) Galaxy Frontier watches onto my Galaxy S24 Ultra this morning, and so far, so good! Please keep the post alive if anyone hears of virus problems, and I'll do the same. Enjoy the 21st century - for many, it'll be our last, and I won't waste it ... Hi-Five! Warmest regards, Dr. Joe =)

Himanshu Arora02-05-2024

Hello @Tommi. I am so happy to hear that. You are welcome. See you around.

Tommi02-05-2024

This is really awesome. I only tried workaround 1 and it worked. So I can now continue to use my Gear S3 on the S24. That means a lot to me. Thank you very much for the instructions.

Himanshu Arora29-04-2024

De nada. Estou feliz que meu artigo tenha sido útil no seu caso.

António Mendes29-04-2024

Muito Obrigado, consegui resolver com a primeira opção, parece complicado mas não é. Obrigado por partilhar

Himanshu Arora25-04-2024

Thanks for the comment. You are welcome. I am glad my article helped solve the issue for you.

workaround 2 works great for S24 :) thanks.25-04-2024

Himanshu Arora23-04-2024

Hello Lauri. Thanks for dropping a comment. I am glad my article helped you. See you around. :-)

Lauri Korhonen22-04-2024

Workaround 2 worked great for new S24 Ultra !!!

Himanshu Arora10-04-2024

Glad to hear that. You are wlecome. :-)

Craig08-04-2024

Workaround 1 worked for me, many thanks!!!!!

Himanshu Arora28-03-2024

I am glad the article helped you.

Richard23-03-2024

workaround 1 seems to work fine just had to reinstall S-health and samsung ear buds working fine was about to order two new watches one for me and wife many thanks

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