Samsung Announces End of Tizen Support for Smartwatches in Four Weeks

Samsung‘s Tizen OS Support Ends: What This Means for Your Smartwatch

Samsung is preparing to discontinue support for its Tizen operating system on smartwatches, marking a definitive shift towards Google’s Wear OS. This change, initially signaled in 2021 with the merger of Tizen and Wear OS development, will fully take effect on September 30, 2025. The closure of the Tizen Store on this date will prevent users from installing new applications via their smartphones.

The End of an Era for Tizen

For years, Tizen powered a range of Samsung’s smart devices, notably its Galaxy smartwatch line. However, the company has transitioned its newer Galaxy smartwatches to Wear OS, gradually phasing out Tizen. The impending closure of the tizen Store represents the final stage of this process. Since June 25, 2025, the store has ceased sales of all free content, already impacting user access to downloadable watch faces.

What Happens After September 30, 2025?

After the September deadline, existing Tizen-powered smartwatches will continue to function, but owners will no longer be able to reinstall previously deleted apps. Crucially, no further updates will be released for either the operating system itself or the applications running on it. This means users will be locked into the current software versions, possibly missing out on bug fixes and security patches.

Affected Devices

The following Samsung smartwatches are affected by the end of Tizen support:

Model	Operating System
Galaxy Gear	Tizen
Gear 2	Tizen
Gear Live	Tizen
Gear S	Tizen
Gear S2	Tizen
Gear S3	Tizen
Gear Sport	Tizen
Galaxy Watch	Tizen
Galaxy Watch active	Tizen
Galaxy Watch Active 2	tizen
galaxy Watch 3	Tizen

did You Know? Samsung initially developed Tizen as a direct competitor to Android and iOS, aiming to create a more open and versatile mobile operating system.

Potential Workarounds and Solutions

While official support is ending, dedicated users have explored methods for preserving Tizen apps. Several online communities, such as Reddit and the XDA Developers forum, have shared procedures for backing up and restoring applications. Some methods require root access on your smartphone, while others offer no-root solutions, specifically for devices like the Galaxy Watch Active 2. These resources provide instructions for extracting app packages and watch faces before the Tizen Store closes.

Pro Tip: Regularly back up any essential watch faces or apps you rely on before September 30, 2025, as they may become inaccessible afterward.

The Shift to Wear OS: A Broader Context

Samsung’s move to Wear OS represents a larger trend in the smartwatch industry. Google’s Wear OS has seen notable improvements in recent years, notably with the introduction of Wear OS 3 and subsequent updates. This has led to greater app compatibility and a more streamlined user experience. The collaboration between Samsung and Google allows for a unified platform, leveraging the strengths of both companies. The future of smartwatch technology points toward increased integration with broader ecosystems, and Wear OS is positioned to be a key player in that evolution.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tizen Support

Are you a long-time Tizen smartwatch user? what are your thoughts on this transition? Share your experiences and concerns in the comments below!

What steps should Galaxy watch owners take now to prepare for the end of Tizen support?

What Does This Mean for Samsung Galaxy Watch Owners?

Samsung has officially announced the end of support for its Tizen-based smartwatches in approximately four weeks,as of August 30,2025. This marks a important shift for users of older Galaxy Watch models, specifically those running the Tizen operating system. The move comes as Samsung fully transitions to Wear OS, powered by Google, for its newer smartwatch lineup, beginning with the galaxy Watch 4. This article details what this change entails, which devices are affected, and what options are available to Galaxy Watch owners.

Affected Devices: A Extensive List

The following Samsung Galaxy Watch models will no longer receive software updates or new features after the four-week period:

galaxy Watch: (Original)

Galaxy Watch Active:

Galaxy Watch Active2:

Galaxy Watch3:

Galaxy Watch3 LTE:

These devices will continue to function as standard timepieces and may still offer basic functionalities, but core smartwatch features reliant on server-side support or software updates will gradually become limited.

key Features Impacted by the tizen Sunset

Several key features will be affected by the end of Tizen support. Users can expect the following:

App Availability: No new apps will be added to the Galaxy Store for Tizen smartwatches. Existing apps should continue to function, but updates are unlikely.

Software Updates: critical security patches and bug fixes will cease, potentially leaving devices vulnerable.

Samsung Health Integration: While core health tracking may continue, full integration with newer Samsung Health features and services will be limited.

Bixby Functionality: Bixby voice assistant functionality may degrade over time as server-side support diminishes.

Map Updates: Map data within apps like Samsung Maps will become outdated.

The Transition to Wear OS: What to Expect

Samsung’s move to Wear OS represents a significant upgrade in terms of app ecosystem and features. Wear OS offers:

Google Play Store Access: A vastly larger app library compared to the Galaxy Store.

Google Assistant Integration: Seamless integration with Google’s powerful voice assistant.

Improved Performance: Wear OS, particularly on newer Samsung hardware, generally offers smoother performance.

Enhanced Features: Access to features like Google Maps, Google Wallet, and more.

However, it’s significant to note that transitioning requires upgrading to a newer Galaxy Watch model (Watch 4 or later). There is no official path to upgrade existing Tizen watches to Wear OS.

What are Your Options?

Galaxy Watch owners facing the end of tizen support have several options:

1. Upgrade to a Wear OS Galaxy Watch: The most straightforward solution is to purchase a newer Galaxy Watch model running Wear OS (Galaxy Watch 4,5,or 6). This ensures continued access to the latest features, security updates, and app ecosystem.
2. Continue Using Your Tizen Watch (with Limitations): Your watch will still function as a basic smartwatch, but be aware of the limitations outlined above.
3. Explore Third-Party smartwatches: Consider switching to a smartwatch from another manufacturer running Wear OS or another compatible operating system.
4. Consider Trade-In Programs: Samsung frequently offers trade-in programs that can help offset the cost of upgrading to a newer model. Check the Samsung website for current promotions.

Tizen’s Legacy and Future Development

While Samsung is ending support for Tizen on smartwatches, the operating system isn’t entirely disappearing. Tizen continues to power a range of Samsung appliances and smart TVs. Recent documentation (Tizen 9.0 M2 Release – https://docs.tizen.org/platform/release-notes/tizen-9-0-m2/) indicates ongoing development and improvements to the OS for these other applications, including advancements in OS upgrade and delta image automation. This suggests Tizen will remain a relevant platform within Samsung’s broader ecosystem, just not for wrist-worn devices.

Preparing for the Change: practical Tips

Back Up Your Data: Before the end of support,back up any important data from your Galaxy Watch to the Samsung cloud or your smartphone.

Download Essential Apps: Download and install any essential apps from the Galaxy Store now, as no new apps will be added.

Review App Permissions: Check the permissions granted to apps on your watch and revoke any unneeded access.

consider a Factory Reset: If you plan to continue using your Tizen watch, a factory reset can help optimize performance.