How to Turn On Galaxy Watch 8
To turn on your Galaxy Watch 8, press and hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the Samsung logo appears on the display.
Power Button Location
The power button is on the right side of the watch case—the top button in the two-button layout. It provides clear tactile feedback when pressed.
First-Time Activation
If this is your first time powering on the watch:
- Press and hold the power button for 3-5 seconds
- Wait for the Samsung logo to appear
- Initial boot takes 30-60 seconds as
Wear OS 6initializes - Follow the setup wizard for language, pairing, and configuration
Ensure the watch has at least 20% battery before first activation. If needed, charge for 30 minutes first.
Regular Power On
After initial setup, powering on is faster.
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Standard Power On: Hold power button 3-5 seconds. Takes about 10-15 seconds to reach operational state.
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Wake from Sleep: Single press of the power button or raise your wrist to wake the display.
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Always-On Display: When enabled, the watch shows time continuously without requiring button activation.
Power Button Functions
The power button does more than just turn on the watch.
- Single Press: Wakes display or returns to watch face
- Long Press (3-5 seconds): Powers on/off or shows power menu
- Hold 10-15 seconds: Force restart when watch is unresponsive
Troubleshooting
If the watch won't turn on:
- Low Battery: Place on charger for 30+ minutes before retrying
- Clean Contacts: Wipe charging contacts with isopropyl alcohol
- Temperature: Allow watch to reach room temperature if extremely hot or cold
- Force Restart: Hold power button for 15+ seconds if watch appears frozen
New Watch Preparation
Before turning on a new Galaxy Watch 8, have your Android phone ready with the Galaxy Wearable app installed, plus your Google and Samsung account credentials.
See Also: How to Pair Galaxy Watch 8|How to Charge Galaxy Watch 8|Galaxy Watch 8 Not Charging