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FAQ

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Note

This section applies only to Samsung Galaxy Watch Wear OS devices (Galaxy Watch 4 and newer models).

Samsung disables background activity by default by forcing apps into the "Sleeping apps" list and disabling "Background Activity". Developers cannot specify that their apps are allowed to run in the background. For Gear Tracker to operate effectively and responsively, users must manually configure these settings through the following steps:

Managing Sleeping Apps

  1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your connected mobile device.
  2. Navigate to Watch settings > Device care > Battery > Sleeping apps.
  3. If Gear Tracker is listed, remove it by:
    • Tapping the three-dot menu in the top right corner and selecting Remove from list.
    • Selecting Gear Tracker II and then tapping Remove at the bottom of the screen.

Enabling Background Activity

  1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your connected mobile device.
  2. Go to Watch settings > Apps.
  3. Find and select Gear Tracker II.
  4. Turn on Allow background activity.

Samsung Health Sync

To get your activities to SHealth you can use a free Strava account, then, connect Strava to SHealth in SHealth connected services.

Once the SHealth to Strava connection is established, upload your activities to Strava and they will sync to SHealth.

Note

Direct uploads to Samsung Health is currently not available, although I'm working on this.

Bluetooth Issues

Gear Tracker supports most standard BLE devices for the following metrics:

  • Run Distance, Speed, and Cadence
  • Cycle Distance, Speed, and Cadence
  • Running Power
  • Heart Rate
  • Altitude

If you're having trouble pairing your device, make sure it supports BLE, as Wear OS does not support ANT+. Additionally, most BLE devices only allow one connection at a time.

Warning

Ensure that your BLE device is not already paired with another app or device, or Gear Tracker will not be able to discover it.

GPS Issues

Experiencing GPS connection or accuracy issues with Gear Tracker (GT) can be frustrating. It's important to note that GT simply initiates the GPS and waits for a response; it does not alter or filter GPS data. Therefore, most issues are likely due to external factors rather than the app itself.

Common Causes and Solutions

  • GPS Driver Issues: Sometimes, the problem can be as simple as a glitch in the GPS driver. Restarting your watch will generally resolve this issue.

  • GPS via Mobile Device: If your mobile device is within Bluetooth range, your watch may use its GPS instead. This can be problematic if the mobile device is stationary while you move, such as leaving it in your house or bag while you run around a track. This setup might cause your watch to connect intermittently to the stationary device, leading to erratic GPS readings and incorrect distance tracking. To avoid this, disable Bluetooth on your mobile device if you are not carrying it with you.

  • Mobile Device Settings: If you do carry your mobile device, ensure it is not in power-saving mode, as this setting can reduce GPS accuracy.

Using Standalone GPS

Most Wear OS watches are equipped with built-in GPS, allowing them to operate independently of a mobile device. While native apps like S Health may automatically activate Location (GPS) for tracking sessions, third-party apps like GT require you to manually enable Location in your watch settings to ensure accurate tracking when used standalone.

Connected Services

Connection Issues

If you're experiencing issues with GT connecting to services like Strava™ on your mobile device, please check if your device is set to a power-saving mode. Power-saving settings can restrict background app activity, which may disrupt the connection process. Disabling or adjusting these settings might resolve the issue.

Strava Differences

Q: My data is different on Strava, why?

A: When uploading your activities to Strava, Strava will calculate a 'Moving Time' for your activity. Essentially this is removing data from your activity to account for pauses and very slow segments. The rule for removing time(pauses) is anything under a 30min/mile pace. So if you have sections that are slow or you are stopped Strava will cut this time out and generate the 'Moving Time'. There's currently no option to stop Strava from doing this, although if you set your activity type to 'Race' Strava will honor the activity in it's entirety.

Reviews

I encourage all users of Gear Tracker to leave reviews on the Google Play Store . Your feedback supports the ongoing development of GT, and a little bit of encouragement for me to keep plugging away

Note

If you are participating in the test version of the app via the Play Store, remember that feedback for test versions is private and will not be visible to the public. Make sure you are not signed up as a tester if you want your review to be public.