Samsung’s One UI 8 replace is breaking Galaxy Watch 4 sensors

[ad_1] <img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="eager" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="samsung galaxy watch 4 classic samsung health app" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-watch-4-classic-samsung-health-app-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-watch-4-classic-samsung-health-app-scaled-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-watch-4-classic-samsung-health-app-scaled-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-watch-4-classic-samsung-health-app-scaled-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-watch-4-classic-samsung-health-app-scaled-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-watch-4-classic-samsung-health-app-scaled-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-watch-4-classic-samsung-health-app-scaled-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-watch-4-classic-samsung-health-app-scaled-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic showing the Samsung Health app on wrist" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/samsung-galaxy-watch-4-classic-samsung-health-app-scaled.jpg"/> Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

TL;DR

As a substitute of enhancing efficiency, the One UI 8 Watch replace is outwardly breaking core Galaxy Watch 4 Basic options for some customers. Wrist detection stops working, which disables well being options like ECG and physique composition. Experiences counsel Samsung has paused the rollout, and a repair could also be coming.

If in case you have a Galaxy Watch 4 Basic, you would possibly need to wait earlier than updating to One UI 8 Watch. What was presupposed to be a recent lease on life for Samsung’s 2021 fan-favorite smartwatch is inflicting issues for some customers.

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<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge light@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge light@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png"/><img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge dark@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge dark@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png"/> One consumer shared on the Samsung Neighborhood discussion board that after the replace, the watch not acknowledges when it’s on a wrist (by way of SamMobile). Since wrist detection fails, vital well being options like ECG and physique composition (BIA) can’t be used.

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Galaxy Watch 4 Classic sensors failed" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Galaxy-Watch-4-Classic-sensors-failed.jpg 466w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Galaxy-Watch-4-Classic-sensors-failed-30w-64h.jpg 30w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Galaxy-Watch-4-Classic-sensors-failed-403w-864h.jpg 403w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Galaxy-Watch-4-Classic-sensors-failed-177w-380h.jpg 177w" alt="Galaxy Watch 4 Classic BIA and ECG sensors failing" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Galaxy-Watch-4-Classic-sensors-failed.jpg"/> The safety facet can be irritating. In the event you use a PIN, the watch retains locking itself as a result of it thinks you’ve taken it off.

Oddly, the consumer found that inserting the watch face on the within of the wrist — the palm facet — typically tricked the sensors into working. Sadly, frequent fixes like clearing the cache haven't solved the issue.

It’s not simply the sensors performing up. Some customers on Reddit say the One UI 8 Watch replace drains the Galaxy Watch 4’s battery and stops Samsung’s watch faces from loading. The All the time On Show additionally reportedly stops working after the replace.

In equity to Samsung, holding four-year-old units working is hard on the earth of wearables. The Galaxy Watch 4 Basic stays a fan favourite due to its bodily rotating bezel. The One UI 8 Watch replace was supposed to assist these watches keep helpful for an additional yr, however updating older {hardware} with new software program is all the time dangerous. Right here, it appears the older sensors didn’t deal with the replace effectively.

In the event you haven’t up to date but, it’s greatest to attend. Discussion board complaints have most likely reached Samsung, and studies say the replace rollout has been halted in some areas. We’ve requested Samsung for a remark and can replace this text after they reply.