How to Use Your Smartwatch to Watch Videos
How to use Strava with your smartwatch
If it isnt on Strava, it didnt happen goes the popular saying, and what better way to make sure that your activities are logged accurately on Strava than by connecting your smartwatch?
The best smartwatches encompass a huge variety of options, but they all serve a similar purpose when it comes to fitness; to record activities in detail, and show health and recovery insights to get you on your next workout sensibly and safely.
Strava is one of the best fitness apps out there, especially for runners and cyclists. You can record GPS-based activities with the Strava app on iOS and Android smartphones, but with Strava on your smartwatch, you'll be able to start and stop activities from your wrist and get heaps more health data than just using your smartphone alone.
Strava supports pretty much all of the best fitness trackers and running watches. Many devices, including those from Garmin, sync activities to Strava through their own software. However, if you have an Apple Watch, Samsung Watch, or Android Wear device like the Google Pixel Watch 2, you can download the Strava app to your watch and use it to smash fitness goals on the go.
Ive worn pretty much every smartwatch brand out there either through review testing or indecision so I know how easy it can be to add the Strava app and track workouts. Heres how to connect your smartwatch to Strava for the best experience.
How to use Strava on your Apple Watch
1. Install Strava on an Apple Watch
1. Start by downloading the Strava app from the App Store and getting logged in on your phone if you haven't already.
2. Then open the Apple Watch app, go to the My Watch section, find Strava, and tap Install.
2. Authorize permissions
1. When you first open Strava on your Watch, you should see a prompt appear on your phone asking you to authorize Strava for Apple Watch.
2. Once that's done, you're nearly ready to start recording, but you'll want to make sure that Strava can use your Watch's built-in heart rate monitor.
3. Launching the Strava app on the watch should trigger another prompt on your phone and the watch screen, asking you to grant Strava permission to access and update your Health data.
4. Scroll down within the Health app to find Allow Strava to Read and activate heart rate (and all your Health data unless you have a good reason not to). You can always find this data in the Sharing section of the Health App.
3. Record a workout
1. The Strava Watch app is much more streamlined than the iPhone version, and only gives you the option to start, stop and pause activities, plus show your progress during those activities.
2. To start recording an activity, tap the Strava icon on your Apple Watch, scroll and tap to pick the activity, then press the start button to begin.
3. Once the activity has started, there are two screens to swipe between. The main screen displays elapsed time, distance and heart rate in real-time, while a swipe to the left brings up the Pause and Finish buttons, Settings and a Screen Lock perfect for when you're running in the rain.
4. When you're done running, cycling, skiing or activity-ing, hit the Finish flag to end your session and sync the data with the full smartphone Strava app. Any miles logged will count towards your weekly progress automatically.
While using Strava on your Apple Watch is convenient, it does come with limitations. The app doesn't support Strava Live Segments (so no real time updates as you go) and you can't see maps or Strava Routes on the display.
How to use Strava with your Samsung Watch
There's a standalone Strava app for Samsung Gear and Galaxy smartwatches, but the installation method depends on how new your device is. Devices after and including the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic use Wear OS, which I've covered below.
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If you've got an older Samsung smartwatch (pre-2021), you can still install the Strava app on your Samsung Gear device from the Galaxy Store. You'll need to visit this Strava page from a desktop to connect your Strava account and receive a four-digit code to link up your device.
Just like with Strava for Apple Watch, the interface is simplified. Once you've opened up the Strava app on your Samsung device, select an activity and you'll see the time, pace, or speed, plus distance and heart rate. A swiping motion lets you change settings, Pause, Finish, or cancel the activity.
How to use Strava with Wear OS Watch
Strava supports the best Wear OS Watch from Wear OS 3.0 and above, and that includes the likes of the Google Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, plus our current favorite Wear OS device, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review.
1. Install Strava on your Wear OS watch
1. Open the Google Play Store from the watch, search for Strava, and tap to install it. Once you've done that, the button will show as Open instead of Install.
2. You'll be asked to sign in to Strava on your paired phone, too (you can't use a Samsung or Pixel watch with iPhones, but you probably know that already). When you open Strava on your smartwatch, it should automatically be signed in, but there's a quick authorization step to add your credentials if not.
2. Record a workout
1. Using Strava on a Wear OS Watch is super simple. The first time you open it up from your app drawer you'll be asked to permit it to access your location and health data. Accept the terms to get started.
2. To record a workout from the app, select your activity type, and hit Start. You might have to wait a few moments for the GPS to lock onto your location, but then you're ready to get moving.
How to use Strava with Garmin
Most people buy a Garmin Watch for serious fitness tracking. Garmin devices are definitely more fitness trackers than smartwatches, and there aren't any products in the Garmin range with a dedicated Strava app.
But, by syncing your Garmin watch with Strava via the Garmin Connect Mobile app and Bluetooth on your smartphone, any new activities be they runs, cycles, or swims will sync toStrava automatically. Head to the settings section of the Connect app, Go to Connected Apps, select Strava, and set up your connection and preferences.
How to use Strava with Fitbit
As with Garmin wearables, not everyone counts Fitbit devices as smartwatches. And while there's not a dedicated app for Strava on Fitbit devices, you can sync up your activities in just a few taps, so that your Fitbit workouts get sent straight to Strava.
The easiest way to connect your Fitbit device is at this Strava link. If you're on an iPhone, then you'll also find the option nestled with settings. Once synced up, Garmin sends activity data from the last 90 days, while Fitbit only sends new ones after you've synced up your devices (unless you export and add them manually).
Using a smartwatch with Strava can give a real boost to your fitness journey, integrating powerful tracking technology with your active lifestyle and letting you go hands-free without your smartphone. I've loved the freedom of going running without my iPhone, while still being able to track my miles and listen to music.
Whether you're using an Apple Watch or the latest Wear OS device, the smartwatch-Strava combination gives you instant insights into your performance, so that you can push boundaries and smash your PBs. Try using Strava with your own smartwatch and get more motivation on every stride or pedal.
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How to use your smartwatch as a camera remote
Most people think of a smartwatch as a fitness gadget or a way to discreetly view notifications. But did you know that you can also use your smartwatch as a camera remote? Instead of scrambling to beat the timer for your next group photo or selfie, you can instead use your smartwatch to control your phones camera shutter.
Some smartwatches, like the Apple Watch, have this feature built in. Others require you to download a separate third-party app. Youll also need to be within Bluetooth range, since thats how smartwatches communicate with your phone. This probably wont be an issue in most scenarios, but its something to keep in mind if youre thinking of using this feature on a more ambitious photo project.
In any case, heres how to enable the feature on some of the most popular smartwatches.
Apple Watch
If youve got an Apple Watch, good news: as mentioned earlier, the Apple Watch already comes with a camera remote and timer app pre-installed. You can also use your watch as a viewfinder when setting up the photo, and review the picture directly from your wrist after youve taken it. Plus, you can use the watch to toggle other settings like flash, HDR, and Live Photo. Siri is also available as a hands-free option when using the feature.
To take a photo:
- Once youve set up your iPhone to take your photo, open the Camera app on your watch. Its the same icon as the Camera app on your iPhone.
- After you open the app, you should see what your photo will look like on your watch face. Take this time to compose your shot.
- Use the Digital Crown to zoom in and out
- Tap the shutter icon in the center of the watch screen to take your photo
Tips and tricks:
- You can review the photo you just took by tapping on the thumbnail in the bottom left. Double tapping will make the photo fill the screen. Swiping left or right will let you see other photos youve taken.
- Tap the three-dot button in the lower right to access the settings menu. With this menu you can add a three-second timer, switch between the front and rear cameras on your iPhone, edit flash settings, edit Live Photo settings, and toggle HDR on or off.
- If you want to fiddle with focus, you can tap on a specific area in the photo on your watch screen.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Samsung Tizen watches
If youve got a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 4 Classic, you dont have to worry about installing anything. The Camera Controller app comes preloaded onto your smartwatch. However, if youve got an older Samsung watch that runs on the proprietary Tizen OS, youll need to download the app.
For Tizen watch owners, heres how to install the Camera Controller app:
- Open the Galaxy Store app and search for the Camera Controller app
- Tap Install
- Follow prompts for granting permissions
- When prompted, agree to install the app on the phone the watch is paired to. You wont be able to use the app otherwise.
As on the Apple Watch, Samsungs smartwatch camera remote will let you review photos on your watch. You can also use the watch as a viewfinder, set timers, and pick which camera you want to take a picture from. Lastly, Samsungs camera remote feature also lets you record video.
To take a photo or video:
- Open the Camera Controller app
- Take this time to set up the shot
- For videos, switch to Video Mode on your phone
- Tap Capture for photos or Record for videos
Tips and tricks:
- To switch between the rear and front cameras, swipe up on the watch
- If you want to set a timer, theres a Timer icon at the top center of your screen
- To review any photos youve taken, tap the Gallery icon that appears next to the Capture button
Wear OS smartwatches
For Wear OS watches, youve got a few options. If your watch is paired to a Pixel phone, the easiest option is to download the Google Camera app. (Note: This app wont work with non-Pixel Android phones, but it is compatible with both Wear OS 2 and Wear OS 3.) If youve got a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, refer to the section above.If you have a non-Samsung Wear OS watch thats not paired to a Pixel phone, youve still got options which well address in the next section.
For Pixel owners:
- Navigate to the Google Play Store app
- Search for the Google Camera app and download it onto your watch
To take a photo with Google Camera:
- Navigate to your app menu
- Tap Camera
- Press the circular shutter icon in the middle of the screen
Tips and tricks:
- You can toggle the timer on or off by swiping up and tapping Timer. You cant customize the amount of time, however. Youre stuck with the default three-second timer.
- To zoom in and out, drag the slider to the right or left.
Third-party camera remote apps
If youve got a Garmin, Fitbit, or a non-Samsung Wear OS watch thats not paired to a Pixel phone, youre going to have to download a third-party app to get this feature. There are plenty of options available though you may have to pay for the app and your mileage may vary.
That said, third-party apps are hit or miss. Because the manufacturer isnt the one coding these apps, they can end up broken after an update and are at the whim of whatever software updates a manufacturer pushes through.Different Android phones may also have different power-saving settings that can impact how well the app works.
Keep in mind that because these arent native apps, you might have to follow a few extra steps to install and use the apps.
The upside is there are a variety of apps out there with different features and youre free to do a little hunting on your own to find which apps suit your specific needs. To find these apps, you can search the Google Play Store, the App Store, the Garmin Connect IQ store, and Fitbits App Gallery.
Keep in mind that because these arent native apps, you might have to follow a few extra steps to install and use them. This is particularly true for Fitbit and Garmin owners, as these watches dont have robust third-party app ecosystems. In general, youll have much fewer options to choose from on these platforms and the options that are available dont tend to be highly rated.
Below, weve listed a handful of options for third-party camera remote apps. The ones weve chosen offer a variety of features and support articles, and have been updated within the last year.
Samsung Galaxy Watch and Wear OS smartwatch:
This app is compatible with both Samsung Wear OS watches and Tizen watches. Its also available for any Wear OS smartwatch, like the TicWatch Pro 3. You can use it to take selfies, group photos, record audio, take time-lapse videos, and save photos onto your watch or an SD card, and has multiple timer options. Its free to install, but theres a premium version that affords more features and better picture quality.
This app mostly works with Wear OS 2 watches, and while its free to install, it does have in-app purchases. You can use your watch as a viewfinder, as well as adjust settings like zoom, exposure, and flash. You have the option of setting timers, recording video, and switching between front and rear cameras. In other words, its not terribly advanced, but you do get the basics.
Fitbit and Garmin:
Camera Remote Watch (iOS, Android, Fitbit, Garmin)
This $1.99 app can be used on certain Fitbits and Garmin devices regardless of which operating system your smartphone uses. For Fitbits, the app works on all Versa models, the Sense, and Ionic. Meanwhile, you can use the app on most Garmin devices you can find a list here. That said, there are more steps involved than with your usual camera app, which can make the photo-taking process tedious or prone to errors. The app developer includes several tutorial videos, FAQs, and step-by-step instructions on its website.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this app stores your photos on your phone, not on the watch. (Though you can review the photos on your watch.)
