Your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Series Is No Longer Getting Software Support - Here's Why

All modern tech receives updates. These can strengthen device security, add new features, or fix glitches. If you own a gadget long enough, you might become complacent and assume it will always receive updates. However, every device has an "end of life" date. Your Android phone has an "end of life" date, and even your smartwatch has an "end of life" date. However, sometimes companies blindside customers and quickly end support.

Earlier this month, Samsung released the September 2026 security update, along with the list of supported devices, which you can find on the Samsung Security Updates Scope page. However, many people noticed a glaring omission. Multiple Galaxy devices, most notably the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series, have been delisted. The implication is as straightforward as it is disappointing: Samsung will no longer provide any software support. The prior security patch, released in August 2026, was the Galaxy Watch 4's last hurrah.

Obviously, this news came as a surprise since Samsung didn't say anything; the company just pushed out the update and removed Galaxy Watch 4 from its list of supported devices, no announcement or anything. Since the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 was released in 2021, the device was officially supported for five years and one month, give or take a few days. That's on par with the predicted average Android watch lifespan, but it's still a bummer, especially since the revelation ambushed customers.

What time is it when you slip and fall on your wristwatch and break it? Time to get a new watch. What time is it when your smartwatch still functions but won't receive any more updates? See above.

Ask almost anyone who owns a smartphone, and they will say you shouldn't keep phones after they stop receiving update support. Without updates, software problems likely won't get fixed; more importantly, without security updates, hackers can find new ways to steal your data, and your phone can't defend itself. The same is also true for smartwatches, including the Galaxy Watch 4. Moreover, if your smartwatch is paired with devices like your smartphone, hackers could use your unprotected Galaxy Watch as a backdoor into your phone and other devices and networks. The result could be a daisy chain of infections that provides hackers with a treasure trove of data.

If you own a Galaxy Watch 4, your best course of action is to replace it with a newer model, preferably a Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 or Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. These are the latest entries in the Galaxy Watch family and will receive support longer than other models; presumably another five years, as did the Galaxy Watch 4. You can buy a 40mm Galaxy Watch 9 for $379.99 and a 44mm Watch 9 for $409.99 through the Samsung store, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 comes in only one size (47mm) and costs $699.99, also through the Samsung store. These devices are expensive, but you can't put a price on your digital safety.