Companion apps have a habit of becoming the landfill of gadget ecosystems: they carry features for the newest toys and slowly shed support for bargain wearables. Samsung’s latest Galaxy Wearable release makes that shift explicit.
Version 2.2.17.26020951 of the Galaxy Wearable app lands with four changes: an updated software‑update screen using the One UI 8.5 visual style, tightened Smart Switch security, added support for Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, and removal of support for the Galaxy Fit and Galaxy Fit e.
The most obvious change is cosmetic: the Wearable app’s update screen now mirrors elements of One UI 8.5. The changelog even lists ”Applied One UI 8.5 UX.” Users on X noticed the new layout while testing the app on beta builds of One UI 8.5.
Functionally, the update signals two things at once. First: Samsung is preparing the ecosystem for two new TWS models – the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro – a soft confirmation that those earbuds are real and likely to ship alongside the Galaxy S26 family at Galaxy Unpacked on 25 February 2026. Second: Samsung is quietly pruning its device roster by dropping support for the Galaxy Fit and Fit e.
Tightening Smart Switch security is the other notable item. Smart Switch handles device transfers and a lot of personal data; making it stricter will frustrate a few edge-case transfers but is a reasonable move given how tempting migration flows can be for attackers.
Why this matters
App updates that add flagship accessories while removing entry‑level ones are a clear resource signal. TWS earphones and smartwatches bring higher margins and more frequent software churn; cheap fitness bands do not. For owners of the Fit and Fit e, the change raises two immediate concerns: you may no longer get firmware tweaks or pairing fixes through the official app, and future phones could lose easy setup support.
It’s not unique to Samsung. Apple keeps AirPods functionality tied to iOS updates and will retire features for older models over time; Google and other Android partners also prioritize current‑generation earbuds in companion apps. The difference here is the bluntness: a compatibility cut rather than a gradual feature sunset.
Who wins, who loses
Winners: buyers of the next Galaxy Buds pair and owners of recent Samsung phones running One UI 8.5 betas (Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy S25 Ultra). They’ll see smoother setup and an interface that matches the rest of the phone.
Losers: Galaxy Fit and Fit e owners, who should expect diminished official support. If you still rely on one of those bands, back up any data you care about and consider switching to a device whose vendor commits to longer support.
What to expect next
Think of this as pre‑Unpacked housekeeping. Samsung is aligning its companion app UX with the phone beta and making room for new peripherals. After the Galaxy Unpacked event on 25 February 2026, expect the Wearable app update to roll out more widely and firmware updates for the Buds 4 family to follow quickly.
For anyone holding onto a Fit or Fit e: don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either. Seek out alternative ways to export your fitness history and check whether third‑party communities provide unofficial pairing or sync options. The pragmatic move is to treat this as a retirement notice and plan accordingly.
Finally, this is a reminder that the ecosystem you buy into matters. Cheap trackers fill a quick need, but platform makers are increasingly selective about what they support once the product lifecycle advances. Samsung’s Wearable app update is a small event; its message is not.