Unable to switch to Google Messages on Samsung Watch 3

[jc0187]

I have attempted to switch my messaging app from Samsung messages to Google Messages several times over the last year. Whenever I attempt to switch, my watch always prompts me to make Samsung messages my default and it gives me two options, either an X or a . Doesn't matter what I choose as it never actually switches to Google messages.

I thought that maybe I need to download Google Messages from the PlayStore on my watch but, it's not there.

I'm at a loss here and feeling frustrated at my decision to stay with Android. Why am I forced to use Samsung messages? I thought that Android offers the ultimate customization. Oh well. Any help on how to actually get Google Messages to work across my s21ultra and Galaxy watch 3 would be much appreciated! Thanks.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

You're not using Android, you're using tizen, and there isn't a Google messages app for tizen.

Why do you care? Is there a feature you want?

The only way to get Google messages is to switch to a wear OS device like the galaxy watch 4, I'm afraid. Although you may want to wait for the 5

 

[B. Diddy]

I moved this from the Gear S3 forum to the Galaxy Watch forum. (I know it's confusing, but we don't have a specific Galaxy Watch3 forum, and the Gear S3 is a different line of watches.)

 

[mustang7757]

I agree with fuzzy from what I hear from other members in these threads.

 

[11B1P]

The only way to get Google messages is to switch to a wear OS device like the galaxy watch 4, I'm afraid. Although you may want to wait for the 5

This is not correct. I have both Google Messages and Samsung Messages on my phone. As you can see from the screenshot, I'm currently using Samsung Messages as my default messaging service. Google Messages is turned off.

Your watch will use which ever messaging app you set up. Install Google Messages on your phone and set it as the default messaging app. Then in Galaxy Wearable app go to Watch Settings, Notifications, under Recently sent notifications click on See All. Change Most Recent to All and then scroll down to Messages, make sure to toggle on the Google Messages app and edit any quick responses if you need to.

 

[swebb]

Where did you find the google messages app in the Galaxy app store?

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

This is not correct. I have both Google Messages and Samsung Messages on my phone. As you can see from the screenshot, I'm currently using Samsung Messages as my default messaging service. Google Messages is turned off.

Your watch will use which ever messaging app you set up. Install Google Messages on your phone and set it as the default messaging app. Then in Galaxy Wearable app go to Watch Settings, Notifications, under Recently sent notifications click on See All. Change Most Recent to All and then scroll down to Messages, make sure to toggle on the Google Messages app and edit any quick responses if you need to.

View attachment 344426

There isn't a Google messages app for tizen.

Yes, you can get notifications from Google messages from your phone and respond to those notifications. But there isn't a Google messages app for tizen.

Just in case I haven't made this clear, There is not a Google messages app for tizen.

 

[mustang7757]

There isn't a Google messages app for tizen.

Yes, you can get notifications from Google messages from your phone and respond to those notifications. But there isn't a Google messages app for tizen.

Just in case I haven't made this clear, There is not a Google messages app for tizen.

If you might know anything I tagged you here
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1043708

 

[swebb]

There isn't a Google messages app for tizen.

Yes, you can get notifications from Google messages from your phone and respond to those notifications. But there isn't a Google messages app for tizen.

Just in case I haven't made this clear, There is not a Google messages app for tizen.

That's what I thought. Was wondering if OP has a GW4.

 

[11B1P]

Where did you find the google messages app in the Galaxy app store?

download it on your phone, set it as the default messaging app. It will show up on your watch. regardless if there's an app "or not" for your watch, you can in fact get google messages on your watch

 

[11B1P]

There isn't a Google messages app for tizen.

Yes, you can get notifications from Google messages from your phone and respond to those notifications. But there isn't a Google messages app for tizen.

Just in case I haven't made this clear, There is not a Google messages app for tizen.

good grief, you dont need an app. if it's installed on your phone, you'll get it on your watch. no need to argue. I have it done it plenty of times.

 

[swebb]

Do you really have the Galaxy Watch 3? It runs Tizen and there is no fully functioning google messages app available. Yes, you can respond to google message notifications, but that's all. Perhaps a GW4 on wearOS is different but I don't know because I don't have that watch.

 

[11B1P]

Do you really have the Galaxy Watch 3? It runs Tizen and there is no fully functioning google messages app available. Yes, you can respond to google message notifications, but that's all. Perhaps a GW4 on wearOS is different but I don't know because I don't have that watch.

Yes I have the GW3. What's so hard to understand? I'll even post another screenshot from the wearable app for my watch. Whichever messaging app your phone is set as the default just make sure to turn on that notification. You can clearly see Samsung Messages and Google Messages. Again, you don't have to have a Google Messages app "from the app store". Simply having it on your phone will put it on your watch and allow you to use the messaging feature on your watch.

 

[swebb]

I'm not going to argue about this. I think there's some missing relevant information. First, I'm thinking you have a Samsung phone, which hasn't been mentioned. There's a huge difference in how some apps behave when connected to a Samsung phone versus a non-Samsung android phone. Second, there is no explicit mention of the functionality of the messaging apps available. Google messages is not fully functional in Tizen. You can respond to message notifications (that is the setting seen in your screenshot), but not initiate messages. I do believe that is the issue the OP had. He wanted to make google messages the default messaging app, which is not possible on Tizen, and I think that is the setting he was having issues with, not the notification setting.


In any event, I'm not going to turn this into a contentious thread. I've said my peace and will let this go now.

 

[Nodnerb]

I'm going to resurrect this thread because I may be experiencing the same thing the OP was and I'll try explain what is happening for me.

So I have a galaxy s21 paired to my GW4, I am also trying to use google messages and I have it set as default and checked as the default app in wear. I do get messages on my watch and can reply. However, if I try to open the google messages app icon(in my watch's app drawer) to review a previously sent text or something on my watch, it says "messages must be set as the default app on your phone, tap to go to phone". When I go to my phone it unlocks to my google messages app. No setting or anything it just opens the app on my phone. It is the default app and I have been using it as the default app for a week. I just can't review any previous messages or open anything. But I do get notifications on my watch in real time that I an reply to. Can I not use google messages if I want to be able to review previous messages?

Thanks. I hope this is clearer than mud.

 

[spARTacus]

From what I understand, this issue still exists with even the Watch5.

That is, one can respond on the watch to Google Messages received, but one cannot actually open Google Messages at the watch, it will try to tell you to make Google Messages default even when it already is default, and switching default back and forth between Google Messages and Samsung Messages App doesn't make a difference.

All that while Samsung Messages works fine from the watch when it is default at the phone. Oh well, back to using Samsung Messages again for a while. For me, for now the only impact of having to use Samsung Messages as default at the phone is the lack of receiving iPhone SMS/MMS reactions, that thing Google has been working on putting into Google Messages. No big deal for me and I am not sure that would even work/show at the watch.

 

[swebb]

The OP had this issue on a GW3 watch, which runs on Tizen. I can understand why this was a problem. GW4 and GW5 run on WearOS which should not have these issues.

I now have a GW5 pro and do not have these issues. I can respond to an ongoing thread by opening Google messages on the watch and can initiate a chat with one of my contacts through the watch. I did not do anything "special" when setting up the watch or opening my Messages app. My phone is a Pixel 5.

Just a guess, but could this be a problem when using the watch with a Samsung phone? Maybe Sammy only wants you to use their messaging app with the watch.

 

[spARTacus]

Perhaps. The situation I am referring to is Samsung Watch and Samsung Phone. Viewing and responding from the Watch works when a notification comes in from Google Messages. However, can't initiate from the Watch with Google Messages. It says I need to switch or install Google Messages, even when it's already installed and set as default for Messaging, if I try to open Google Messages at the Watch. Everything works just fine of course, if Samsung Messages is set as default. Annoying.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

I haven't had this issue on my S21 ultra paired with a Galaxy watch 4 classic or-on my z flip 4 paired with a Galaxy watch 5 pro. are you sure Google messages is set as default on the watch?

 

[spARTacus]

I haven't had this issue on my S21 ultra paired with a Galaxy watch 4 classic or-on my z flip 4 paired with a Galaxy watch 5 pro. are you sure Google messages is set as default on the watch?

Well, it keeps saying (at/on the Watch) that Google Messages needs to be installed and set as default. There isn't anyway that I am aware of for how to set that other than setting it at/on the Phone.

Am I missing something?