yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Gear S2] Avatiach:
Might be - I'm using a note 4 with a modded TW rom. I was able to control 2 non-samsung players - Shuttle+ and DSub. In my setup the phone was playing music to a Bluetooth headset and I was able to skip tracks, pause etc from the S2.
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
I 'm sure that some watch functionality is lost since I use it on a Nexus 6; I can pair a BT headset to it though, and make and receive phone calls, so who knows what does and doesnt work on a non samsung phone setup!

So far, everything I want and expect to work does so fine, so I am very happy with this thing..
[Samsung Gear S2] cerchiara:
Anyone have issues with the Gear manager? When im in the manager and click on notifications for example it opens to the next page where i want to configure notifications but im unable to do so as that page opens up and then just goes back to gear manager homepage.

Figured it out do not keep activities was enabled.
[Samsung Gear S2] corranhorn22:
Connecting Remotely

My S2 has been inconsistent when connecting remotely. Sometimes, when I am out of range of my phone, it connects right away (and notifications are pushed to the watch). More often, though, the watch stays in Standalone mode, which means it will only get texts and calls made to the T-Mobile number assigned to the watch. I initially thought it could be an issue with battery optimization in Marshmallow (I am connected to a Nexus 6P), but the problem persists even after disabling optimization in the three Gear-related apps.

The number one reason I bought this version of the watch is to be able to leave my monster phone at home once and a while, but still be connected.

Anyone else have this issue or a fix?
[Samsung Gear S2] jwhedberg:
I have had a great experience with it for two weeks, until it stopped allowing me to install apps yesterday, even after a hard reset. Samsung is replacing the unit.
[Samsung Gear S2] phxtravis:
I too had a great first week or two, and now the Google Messenger app notifications are not showing on my watch. I've always had little faith in Samsung smartphones, I am hoping this feature randomly starts working just like it randomly stopped.
[Samsung Gear S2] NinjaMom:
When connected remotely is it using the 500mb of data or the cell service from the plan for the watch?
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
Its using the watchs' data...at least thats the theory....
[Samsung Gear S2] NinjaMom:
500mb of data is not a lot. Wonder how much of the data a call would take.
[Samsung Gear S2] Bladder61:
The T-Mobile plan is unlimited Calls & Text with 500 mb of Data.
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
500 megs of data on a watch seems like plenty to me.
[Samsung Gear S2] zzyzxcalifornia:
500 megs

Yeah, I've been using Milk Music to stream music and haven't hit my 500 mb cap yet.

I had network issue with TMO the first few days but it's been good for the last few weeks. Battery wise I get about 4 hours of streaming music over 4g.
[Samsung Gear S2] NinjaMom:
How long have you had the watch? How often do you stream music not bluetooth connected? I'm assuming if you are bluetooth connected you are using your phone data for it.
[Samsung Gear S2] NinjaMom:
Yes, I am aware of this.
[Samsung Gear S2] mahst68:
The Gear S2 has Music Freedom so Milk Music is 4G LTE data free and doesn't count against your 500MB cap. In theory, if Samsung or someone would build more music apps for the watch, this would also apply to them if they are on the Music Freedom list.

I just got mine and deciding whether the watches standalone mode on T-Mobile is going to meet my needs. Has anyone tried to use it all day in standalone, moderate mix use say using it with Milk Music and maybe receive a phone call or 2? Wanted to see if this can get me through a 4 to 6 hour skiing session listening to music and able to receive phone calls, so I don't got to take my $700+ phone with me :eek:

I know there's plenty of factors to consider like signal strength, etc. that may waste more battery... any help would be appreciated!
[Samsung Gear S2] zzyzxcalifornia:
Ninjamom, I'm traveling internationally now, but used it often for 2 weeks. Almost everyday I would run the battery out listening to music over 4g & BT headphones. Sometimes I'd recharge.

You'd need to load mp3 music on the device to make it 6-8 hours. Streaming music lasts me 3-4 hours max in standalone. But you shouldn't have a problem getting through a 8hr day using some combination of streaming/mp3 listening. Caveat here is that signal strength might not be good on the mountain, so your battery could drain faster.
[Samsung Gear S2] mahst68:
Not a big deal.... and I wouldn't call skiing in Indiana mountains... more like foot hills... :silly:

Anyway sounds like I could make it through a decent outing with the watch. Thanks for the info!
[Samsung Gear S2] mdbrock7:
I am not a current tmobile customer. Can I walk in to a tmobile store and purchase a S2 3g version? What would the plan cost if I do not have a phone plan with tmobile?
[Samsung Gear S2] Bladder61:
I think you can. The plan would probably be $15 per month plus some taxes and other fees they always tag on. For those of us that are already with T-Mobile we pay $15 for the smartwatch plan but they give us a $10 credit for already having a qualifying account. Before you go to a store call them and tell them what you want to do. Good Luck.
[Samsung Gear S2] dnanj:
Did you guys get charged $15 for a Sim starter kit? Just recently ported my Gear S lines from ATT to Tmobile and picked up a pair of S2 watches from Tmobile and they told me that there is a $15 charge per watch.

I know they charge this for devices they sell that take sim cards to begin with but I just now realized that this device does not actually take a physical sim card.
[Samsung Gear S2] ocjelf:
Yes 15 for the sim
[Samsung Gear S2] dnanj:
YMMV...I called TMobile after I posted earlier and asked them why I was charged $15 for a sim starter kit when the watch does not even take a physical sim and the rep I spoke with did not have an answer so he went ahead and credited my account $30 for the 2 watches.
[Samsung Gear S2] ocjelf:
Nice ya I had the store credit my account to for it
[Samsung Gear S2] darekz:
Looks like I have to wait till Monday to have tmobile representative with at least half of the brain, on phone since last two didn't even know what is esim. I'm also had been charged $15 + tax for starter kit.
[Samsung Gear S2] kjdBonez:
Has anyone tried forwarding their Google Voice number to the number assigned to the watch's e-sim and can confirm that this works while in standalone mode? I.e. Can you make and receive texts and calls from the watch using your Google Voice number? Thanks
[Samsung Gear S2] Lotusmaster:
It works
[Samsung Gear S2] Moniclock:
I'm in Germany and I have buy a Gear s2 sm-r730v through eBay. Should I change the firmware? I don't need to use the esim, I will use bluetooth calls.

Or I can use it directly without changes?
[Samsung Gear S2] joeyakaspce1130:
I got my Gear S2 Classic yesterday and so far I'm enjoying it. I have the 4G T-Mobile variant. I almost got it from Best buy because they were selling them for $299 and T-Mobile had it for $349 but Best buy was selling the vacant with no speaker or Sim card and that didn't sound very appealing. I just wish their were more features and apps. I had no connectivity issues. The WiFi, Bluetooth and 4G connections are all working great and switch over very fast. Everything is working great and stable. So far so good.
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
I just wish it was easier to get calls to forward from my Nexus phone to the watch when they are not near each other..Its always a challenge to get that to work for me..
[Samsung Gear S2] kjdBonez:
What kind of apps are lacking that you really wish it had? I'm debating getting a wearable and looking at the Gear S2 since I have T-mobile and they sell it... I'm mainly concerned the calling and texting features when out of reach of my phone, GPS (for both navigation and tracking runs/bike routes, etc), and listening to music ( stored on the watch and streaming if/when that is possible). I use mostly google for all my e-mail/calendar/etc so I'm assuming there must be apps for a lot of the Google products on Tizen, no?

The interface on the Gear S2 looks so much nicer than the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition based on the video reviews I've seen. I'm trying to think of how limiting the fact that the Gear S2 is not Android Wear would be for me - particularly since I haven't owned a smart watch at all yet.
[Samsung Gear S2] joeyakaspce1130:
Well everything you mentioned the Gear S2 can do. You may want to make sure you get the 3G or 4G version so you can make calls when your phone isn't around. Something weird that I didn't expect is that when the watch and phone aren't connected and you call someone through the watch, you are actually calling from a whole different phone number (the watch has its own phone number).

Now the problems I have is that there is a lack of apps. Basically don't expect many games (which I don't care about), but there is like 1 app that I found where you can customize the watches face and apps few already made faces. Everything I searched Google Play for a watch face and found a cool one it was made for android wear and doesn't work for the S2. Basically, you know how you can go on Google play and find loads of apps, then you go on the Samsung Store and there is hardly any any apps? Well, that is basically the only place you can get apps for the S2 from and most of them aren't even made for the S2. I found maybe 20 apps total? Other than that, the watch is amazing. It's well built.

Devices:

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (SM-G935T) Stock

Samsung Gear S2 Classic (SM-R735T) Stock
[Samsung Gear S2] mjon13:
I have mine paired to a Nexus phone also. I set up call forwarding through the phones dialer settings. I just put the watches phone number in the “Forwarding to” space for “When busy, When unanswered and When unreachable.” Then I set up the watch to use google voice as my voicemail. It seems to work pretty well.
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
how did you set up the watch to use google voice as your voice mail? I use Better Voice Mail, but not sure how you change the voice mail provider on the watch..

thanks
[Samsung Gear S2] mjon13:
I added my watches number to voice online, then dialed **004*mywatchesnumber#. I've had to redo it once after I powered off the watch, but it seems to have held better this time.
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
thanks for the info!
[Samsung Gear S2] kjdBonez:
I'm assuming that you have the 4g version since that's the thread we're posting on. I just wanted to clarify something after reading some other threads. When you are away from your phone and using the watch's 3G connection are you still able to send text messages? Do you only have the ability to reply to text messages or can you iniate a new one? If you can send them, do these messages also come across with the watch's phone number (not your phone number) on the recipients end?
[Samsung Gear S2] joeyakaspce1130:
You can always create or send/receive text messages at any time and calls as well. Text messages always send using the phones #, only calls use the watches # when not in range... and yea, I'm using the 4G version from T-Mobile (SM-R735T).

Devices:

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (SM-G935T) Stock

Samsung Gear S2 Classic (SM-R735T) Stock
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
when I send text messages from my watch, the watch phone number is the one that shows up on the recipients phone, not my cell phone number.

also on T-mobile, in Chicago land if that makes a difference..
[Samsung Gear S2] kjdBonez:
What app do you guys use for SMS on the watch?
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
I use the built in messages app..
[Samsung Gear S2] joeyakaspce1130:
Same here, built-in

---------- Post added at 01:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 AM ----------

Weird, maybe it's a setting? I just know I was using the watch to make calls and text and the first time I called my girl while I was out of Bluetooth range from my phone, it came up a totally different number... but when I texted, whether in or out of range it always was sent through my mobile number. I'm on T-Mobile in New York
[Samsung Gear S2] kjdBonez:
I caved and bought the watch today. So far I'm really liking it, although I'm sure I haven't even scratched the surface. The first thing I did was to try to get the texting and calling stuff figured out.

With remote connection (i.e. no bluetooth to phone) my watch would make calls with the watch's number but will still text with my phone's number. When I go to the messaging app it shows my "profile" number being my cell phone number and not the watch's number. I'm not sure if there is an ability to change that for wase4711 who says his watch is texting with the watch's number still.

I use Google Voice for all of my calls and texts on the phone - and by that I mean that calls made through my native phone dialer and all SMS through Google Hangouts shows up on other people's phones as my Google Voice number and not my actual phone number. I was able to add the S2 to my Google Voice account such that all calls to me (to my GV number that everyone knows) immediately ring to the phone AND the watch without setting up any sort of fowarding through the Gear app which is nice (I have auto call forwarding turned off and there is no delay between when a call hits my phone and when it goes to the watch). The only downside at that point was that without a Google Hangouts app I was only able to see the notifications on my watch and not respond to them - it would ask if I wanted to send from the phone and set it up for me to type a message on the phone. Then I found an old thread on Androidcentral from the Gear S where some guy said that after he installed Android Wear from the Play Store all of a sudden he was able to reply to hangouts from his watch. I did this and miraculously it works for some reason - I didn't even have to set anything up, just isntall Android wear and now I can reply. And best of all these SMS messages that I reply to via Hangouts on the watch come from my Google Voice number on the other persons phone!! So far the only thing keeping this watch from being awesome for all communications like this is that when I'm away from my phone all calls made from the watch show up as the watch's phone number. Supposedly there is a workaround for people who use Google Voice as their primary number and it involves compiling a list of Google Voice alias numbers and adding them as the primary contact number for the people you call frequently - the alias number a unique static number assigned by google to each of your contacts that your phone calls in the background so that your GV shows up on peoples caller ID. This is a somewhat archaic method and I'm not sure where to find these numbers anymore now that GV has gotten so much more user-friendly.

The biggest downside I've found so far is that the GPS navigation, HERE Maps, still requires you to be linked to your phone via bluetooth as far as I can tell if you want turn-by-turn directions. If I had my phone with me I'd just use Google Maps. If there is a way to get turn-by-turn navigation without the phone being in my pocket or car with me (i.e. even if connected through Remote Connect), then this watch would be even more awesome. Anyone know of a way to do that??
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
wow, thats alot of work to get Google voice to work that way on your phone and watch!

not sure about the turn by turn nav question though; fortunately, I have nav in my car, so I dont need it on the phone/watch..
[Samsung Gear S2] Moniclock:
S-Voixe for German language aren't installed on my us version. Should I change the firmware? Where can I download gear s2 3g firmwares?
[Samsung Gear S2] oxygin22:
I join a question
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
on T-mobile, getting a big (80 meg) update right now..
[Samsung Gear S2] ThinkD:
... to version... .??
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
R730TUVU2BPC6 is what my software version on the phone says now
[Samsung Gear S2] 风君子:
I bought a t-mobile gear s2 classic on ebay for $240

And I found it's due $500, of course I'm not going to pay the bill for somebody I don't know, however, is there a chance for me to get it working as a new device?
[Samsung Gear S2] _Dennis_:
For those using Google voice I found a way to dial out using Google voice number, it's a pain though.

Make one phone number for the contacts you want to call their number (obviously) then make a second number for them like this:

<Your Google voice number> ,(Pause) , (Pause) <Your Google voice PIN># ,(Pause) ,(Pause) 2 ,(Pause) ,(Pause) <contacts phone number>#

So you call your self, put in your pin with a # after, hit 2, put in contacts number with # after it. With 2npauses between to give the robot lady time to process.
[Samsung Gear S2] kjdBonez:
How do you put the pauses in if you're putting it in as their contact number? And if you make a call in this manner does it seem to cause any significant delay in making the connection? Thanks
[Samsung Gear S2] _Dennis_:
When typing in the number (with the Samsung keyboard) press the sym key then the ,(PAUSE) key.

It takes a while to connect through everything, but it's the best way I've found for calling from the watch.
[Samsung Gear S2] kjdBonez:
Do you know if there is a way to create a separate contacts list that can be synced tot he watch from a phone or Google Voice or something so that only contacts on the watch have the fowarding number with pauses and such??
[Samsung Gear S2] _Dennis_:
Not sure, I just made it a second phone number on the contacts I have to use my GV number for (daughter's gizmo pal only accepts numbers that are whitelisted, and only 4 can be whitelisted.
[Samsung Gear S2] n0ve:
Overall I regret buying it with the EIP or Whatver the financing is called. I would trade it for a gear s any day. Circular face became annoying. Not enough development. Wish it had 8mm headset port. List goes on....

I honestly have owned it about 5 months and worn it a week. I'm gonna try to force myself to get used to it and try more apps.
[Samsung Gear S2] knotrkr:
I never ever wore a watch in my life, but being the tech junky that I am, after watching multiple unboxing and reviews of the watch I figured I'd give it a try, worst case scenario I could return it within 30 days. Surprisingly it's super comfortable, I even sleep with it on, and I have the more bulky 4G version, I've had it about 6 weeks now and I absolutely love it, I really didn't think I would. My favorite app is Mr. Time maker. I love checking out and trying all the different watch faces and making my own.
[Samsung Gear S2] snowlin:
i feel like a headset port on your watch would be kind of dumb... the wires would be in the way all the time and get tangled constantly, no?

I love the watch, using it with my LG G5 for the past few days. Really hoping Android Wear could get ported though, i feel like Tizen is not nearly as polished. I used to have the G Watch R and the link between my watch and phone was seamless, not to mention the thousands more watch faces available for android wear.
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
perfect review; I agree with everything you say here!

I think alot of folks forget this is a watch, not a smart phone, and expect it to be alot more than it ever was intended to be..
[Samsung Gear S2] bryankc14:
I just order the classic version tonight but afraid I didnt read up on it enough before hand because I am thinking now I may not be able to use it. I am hoping someone may be able to clarify somethings for me so Ill know for sure. I assumed that since it stated it was a 4g model that came with a sim card that Tmobile even charged me 20 bucks for that this was a stand alone product and unlike the blue-tooth version did not have to be paired with a phone. But from all that I am seeing as far as reviews go it seems like all are saying it still does have to be paired with a phone. So that is my 1st question.. Does It. My second question is if it does... do you have to pair it with a phone that is on a Tmobile plan. See I have a Tmobile account but it is not for a phone I only have a Tmobile Wifi Hotspot. My cell phone is on At&t. So if it does have to be paired will it be possible to pair The 4g watch that has a Tmobile Sim with a At&t network phone. I hope that I am making sense and someone will be able to let me know... Thanks
[Samsung Gear S2] Bladder61:
I can answer your second question; You can pair your T-Mobile watch with another carriers phone. I have my T-Mobile Gear S2/3g paired with my Verizon work phone which I carry all the time. When you are using Bluetooth pairing the watch is like any other Bluetooth device you would pair with android or ios. Call forwarding works fine. If I leave my phone on my desk and walk away at work I receive a forwarded call after it rings 4 times on my phone. If I turn the phone off then the call comes directly to my watch.

hope that helps
[Samsung Gear S2] bryankc14:
Yes it did Thanks... I got it today and it paired right up no problem. But I think I might have a problem with the battery. It died after 2 hours. Dont know if its the battery or not because Im at work and dont have the charger. So its either that or just plan dead. Either way Im guess I will be sending it back unless I can figure out if it is the battery why it died so fast
[Samsung Gear S2] pastorarnold:
G2 T-Mobile

I have my S2 the bulk is no problem it fast and easy to use love it..
[Samsung Gear S2] MrAwesome75:
I know this is an old post, but I can't find an answer anywhere. I have a Verizon work phone (S7 Edge) and a T-Mobile Gear S2 (Just switched to Gear S3, but still having the same issue). I can connect with BT just fine and forward calls just fine. But for some reason calls will sporadically auto answer, or the watch and phone won't ring at all and I'll get a voicemail notification. This never happened when I was using the Gear S2 with a T-Mobile (Note 5, S7 Edge, Note 7). It has happened since I stopped using my personal T-Mo phone and got my Verizon S7 Edge work phone; happened with the Gear S2 and now with the Gear S3. I can't figure out why it's doing this and since it's sporadic, makes it difficult to diagnose. I'm trying to find someone else with the same set-up, so I can find out if they have ever noticed this. If not, try to duplicate their settings to see if it fixes the problem. Since it has happened with more than one watch and not with any of the T-Mo phones, I'm convinced it has to do with how Verizon forwards calls to the watch or something; although this is always connected via BT when it happens.
[Samsung Gear S2] yougivemerash!!!:
I'm so annoyed of Tmobile ignoring pushing updates to this device since April! How can they charge $400 and then abandon it so quickly. If it's been 8 months since the last update, you can bet none are ever coming.
[Samsung Gear S2] wase4711:
agree; I would love to get rid of this watch for cheap if I could find someone to buy it..
[Samsung Gear S2] yougivemerash!!!:
Tmobile pushed out the update! I just received it at 6-something-am. Hallelujah!
[Samsung Gear S2] smarcin:
Sorry to answer you so late. I have a Sprint Note 4 and a T-Mobile S2. I haven't had any problems over BT, nor over 3G. I should say, my Note 4 is on Sprint's network; my S2 on T-Mobile's. Possibly you could try forgetting your BT connection with your S2 and start the pairing process again. That might help. I have an occasional call that doesn't ring, but is a missed call. I chalk that up to Sprint's network. It only happens maybe once a week or so.
[Samsung Gear S2] kof200440:
U received the update on gear s2 classic R735T 4G model ??