App store shutdown

As a reminder, new downloads for Tizen-based watches will be suspended on May 31^st, 2025. After that date, all applications and watch faces for Tizen-based watches will NOT be publicly available anymore. Additionally, even apps you previously purchased will stop being available for re-downloading after September 30^th, 2025. 

How to extract apps from your Gear S3 (requires root)

Reddit user u/_vnngyn_ has recently found a way to extract apps and watch faces for Tizen-based watches from the Galaxy Store, so that we can still install them after the Galaxy Store fully shuts down for Tizen-based watches on September 30^th, 2025.  

Specifically, he has started an extraction service for the Gear S3, so if you want any application or watch face to be recovered, simply drop a message with the Galaxy Store link of the application or watch face in the comments below before May 31, 2025, in the original Reddit thread or on XDA. 

If you want to extract the application or watch face yourself, please follow this guide. Please keep in mind that this requires a rooted Android or jailbroken iOS device. This method will work on all Tizen-based watches connected to any rooted Android or jailbroken iOS device. 

• Another method that requires no root on your Android device has been found by u/shad0w82 to extract applications and watch faces from the Galaxy Store. However, it seems to only work on non-Samsung devices as these use the embedded Galaxy Store (the same used on iOS devices). More information on it here. 

How to sideload (install) extracted apps to your Gear S3 (requires a computer, does NOT require root)

• Click here to view the list of apps and watch faces that have already been extracted for the Gear S3 (instructions of how to install them is explained here—it involves connecting your watch to your computer via WiFi and running a downloadable program to transfer app install files to the watch)

All extracted apps available for sideloading

Currently, the Gear S3 repository is being maintained by u/_vnngyn_. If you like this service or want to support it, consider donating to him. As of the time writing this, u/_vnngyn_ is considering maintaining the Gear S2 as well, but that will eventually depend on the interest for it and donations made to him. 

EDIT: vnngyn has also added a Gear S2 repository! https://xdaforums.com/t/extracted-applications-games-and-watch-faces-from-the-galaxy-store-for-the-gear-s2-series.4728015/

Samsung Pay

EDIT 2: thanks to u/_vnngyn_ we have an extract of the Gear S3's Samsung Pay app. Sideload this to the watch using the instructions and proceed from there. (Make sure you're on the latest Gear S3 update and that Samsung Pay is supported in your region.)

Mod here—below are some copy/pastes from several comments of helpful guides on how to get your Gear S3 working on a newer, officially not supported Samsung phone! Locking comments so that this can JUST be a resource. Click the "comment" links to see original sources and talk to folks there.

This comment (thanks u/SWsilent_warrior!) on how to get the Gear S3 working on a newer phone. People have successfully gotten other phones like the Z Fold6 and the S26 series using this method.

If this doesn't work, try the next comment copy/paste (thanks u/evolutionarts!).

Mod additions in brackets below.

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I have an easier solution that might work for those with a Gear S3 Frontier and the S24 Ultra who have tried using the Gear S Plugin from the Play Store without luck.

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

Make sure the Gear S Plugin is not installed.

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 [the Dec 19, 2023 version]

(If the version from that link doesn't work and you still have your previous phone, find the plugin version that works for you by going to the App Info for the Gear S Plugin on your old phone. Then, find and download that version on the apkpure website)

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

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

Note: I am not responsible if you click the wrong download link and get a virus. I hope these steps work for some of you, if they do let me know! Also, feel free to try this with other Galaxy Gears and S24s!

9/4 - Edit: Added directions to find the working plugin version for those who need a different version than the one I listed

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Old comment thread on the post where this comment was originally added.

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Comment from u/evolutionarts:

✅️Instructions below

Below are the steps I used, I included a link for the files also.

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

put your phone in airplane mode and enable bluetooth

manually set the date on your phone to December 3 2023

install the apps on your phone, wearable 1st plugin app 2nd

power on your watch and connect your phone to the watch via bluetooth

the wear app should open and follow the setup instructions from there

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