Samsung’s One UI 8 Update Is Breaking Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Units

Samsung’s latest software update, One UI 8 Watch, was intended to be a major "thank you" to loyal users of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Instead, for many, it has turned their reliable smartwatches into frustrating paperweights. Tech experts are now urging owners of the 2021 classic to skip the update entirely until a fix is released.

The most critical issue involves the watch’s sensors. Since the update, many users have reported the "wear detection" feature. They said it just stopped working. Because the device no longer knows if it is actually on your wrist, it won't allow you to use health tools like the ECG or Body Composition scans. These features require skin contact to function, and the software bug effectively locks them out.

Beyond health tracking, the sensor failure has created a major security annoyance. For those who use a PIN or pattern lock, the watch constantly thinks it has been taken off, causing it to lock the screen repeatedly. Users find themselves typing in their password every time they want to check the time. To make matters worse, battery life has plummeted, with some reporting that their watch barely lasts half a day after the update.

Even the basic look of the watch is suffering. Many official Samsung watch faces won't load, and the Always-On Display (AOD) feature has completely stopped working for many users. While some have tried to fix this by clearing the system cache or wearing the watch on the inside of their wrist, these are only temporary fixes for a much deeper software problem.

The update, which is based on Google’s Wear OS 6, was originally meant to modernise the device with new gestures and a cleaner layout. However, the rollout has been so problematic that Samsung has reportedly paused the update in several countries to investigate. If you own a Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and see a notification for a 1.7GB update, the safest move is to ignore it. Waiting for a more stable version will save you from a major headache.