Samsung recently expanded the rollout of the One UI 8 Watch update (based on Wear OS 6) to older models, including the Galaxy Watch 4, following its debut on the Galaxy Watch 7. While the update appeared stable on newer devices, Galaxy Watch 4 users are now reporting several serious issues.
According to multiple reports on Samsung Community forums and Reddit, the update has caused abnormal battery drain and sensor malfunctions on the Galaxy Watch 4. Due to these complaints, Samsung has reportedly paused the update rollout to investigate and resolve the issues.
Severe Battery Drain After Update
Battery life degradation is common after major system updates, but the situation on the Galaxy Watch 4 seems far from normal. Users report that the watch now drains completely within 12–15 hours, compared to over 24 hours on a full charge before the update.
Some affected users claim that clearing the cache partition has slightly improved battery performance, suggesting the issue may be software-related. However, this workaround has not worked for everyone.
Sensors Not Working, Health Features Disabled
More concerning are reports of non-functional sensors following the One UI 8 Watch update. As noted by SamMobile, many users say their Galaxy Watch 4 is no longer detecting when it’s being worn.
As a result:
- Health tracking features stop working
- The watch remains constantly locked if a passcode is enabled
- Google Wallet becomes unusable
- Notifications fail to function properly
These issues significantly impact the core functionality of the smartwatch.
Hardware or Software Issue?
While the problem does not appear to affect all Galaxy Watch 4 Classic users, its cause remains unclear. One user reported that wearing the watch on the underside of the wrist (palm side) temporarily restores sensor functionality—an unusual workaround that raises questions about whether the issue is software-related or tied to specific hardware units.
Samsung Pauses Rollout
Following these reports, Samsung has seemingly halted the One UI 8 Watch update for the Galaxy Watch 4, as users no longer see the update available for download. At the time of writing, Samsung has not issued an official statement explaining the root cause or confirming when the rollout will resume.
What’s Next?
We expect Samsung to release a follow-up update or hotfix in the coming days to address these problems. Until then, affected users may want to avoid updating if the option becomes available again.
We’ll continue to monitor the situation and share updates as soon as more information becomes available. For faster updates, you can also follow our Telegram channel.
