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To restart a responsive Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2, hold the Home/Power key, tap Power off, then hold Home/Power again after it shuts down. If the watch is frozen, hold Home/Power for at least 7 seconds, until the rebooting message appears, and release it.
Restart the watch when its screen responds
- Press and hold the watch’s Home/Power key to open the power menu.
- Tap Power off and wait for the watch to shut down.
- Press and hold Home/Power again to turn the watch back on.
This power-off-then-start sequence is Samsung’s normal restart procedure for the Active2. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active2 support page identifies the 44mm variant as model SM-R820 and lists its manual.
Force-restart a frozen Galaxy Watch Active2
If the watch is unresponsive, press and hold Home/Power for at least 7 seconds. When the rebooting message appears, release the key and allow the watch to restart. Samsung Japan gives this method for the model group that explicitly includes Galaxy Watch Active2: Samsung’s force-restart instructions (updated March 12, 2026).
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchButton combinations can differ across Galaxy Watch models and software versions. Samsung’s newer general guidance describes holding Home and Back together for at least 7 seconds, but its Active2-specific group instructions say to hold Home/Power alone; use the latter for this model. See Samsung US troubleshooting guidance for the broader model-dependent instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- PUSH PAST YESTERDAY: Looking for a great way to bring out your personal best every day. Challenge yourself to excel on your next run or bike ride using tracking with Galaxy AI¹ that lets you compare your current performance to your last one²
- START YOUR DAY WITH YOUR ENERGY SCORE: Know how ready you are to take on the day using your personalized Energy Score with Galaxy AI¹; It calculates today’s physical readiness based on what you did yesterday
- KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON YOUR HEART HEALTH: Get the most out of your fitness workouts using improved Heart Rate Tracking³ with Galaxy AI¹ that filters out your body’s movements for a more accurate reading
- GET A BOOST TOWARD YOUR GOALS: Stay on track toward your goals using personalized suggestions from Wellness Tips⁴; Your Watch collects the insights and then they’re analyzed on your phone
- BETTER SLEEP. A HEALTHIER YOU: Learn better habits for more restful nights using sleep tracking⁵ with Galaxy AI¹ — it also helps detect moderate to severe sleep apnea⁶; Get helpful insights collected by your Watch and analyzed by your phone
If the screen stays black or the watch will not power on
- Place the watch on its charging dock and let it charge.
- After charging, try turning it on by holding Home/Power.
- If it starts but then freezes, use the Active2 force-restart procedure above.
A fully discharged battery can leave the screen blank. Samsung’s power-on and charging guidance includes the Active2 among models supporting Qi wireless charging.
Restarting is not a factory reset
A restart powers the watch off and starts it again; it is not the same as a factory reset. A factory reset deletes stored data, so treat it as a later troubleshooting option rather than a restart method. If you decide to reset, back up the watch first.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Vibrant 1.6” AMOLED Display – Large, high-res screen with smooth touch for easy navigation
- 5ATM & IP68 Water Resistance – Swim-ready and dust-resistant for active lifestyles
- Up to 14 Days Battery Life – Powerful 208mAh battery for long-lasting performance
- 101+ Workout Modes with Auto Detection – Automatically tracks common workouts for seamless fitness tracking. Advanced Health Tracking – Includes sleep coaching, SpO2, heart rate, and snore detection
- International Model No Warranty in the US. ONLY compatible with Android devices. Samsung Pay - Not Supported. NOT compatible with iPhone or iOS devices.
Rank #4
- PUSH PAST YESTERDAY: Looking for a great way to bring out your personal best every day? Challenge yourself to excel on your next run or bike ride using tracking with Galaxy AI¹ that lets you compare your current performance to your last one²
- START YOUR DAY WITH YOUR ENERGY SCORE: Know how ready you are to take on the day using your personalized Energy Score with Galaxy AI¹; It calculates today’s physical readiness based on what you did yesterday
- KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON YOUR HEART HEALTH: Get the most out of your fitness workouts using improved Heart Rate Tracking³ with Galaxy AI¹ that filters out your body’s movements for a more accurate reading
- GET A BOOST TOWARD YOUR GOALS: Stay on track toward your goals using personalized suggestions from Wellness Tips⁴; Your Watch collects the insights and then they’re analyzed on your phone
- BETTER SLEEP. A HEALTHIER YOU: Learn better habits for more restful nights using sleep tracking⁵ with Galaxy AI¹ — it also helps detect moderate to severe sleep apnea⁶; Get helpful insights collected by your Watch and analyzed by your phone
Rank #3
- LTE Unlocked (carrier agnostic) - with LTE connectivity, you can leave your phone behind
- Samsung Galaxy watches feature the Tizen OS. Samsung’s proprietary OS is flexible. If your organization has a mix of Android and non-Android smarphones, the Tizen-equipped Samsung watches will be compatible with all devices. ch Active2. Its advanced sensors keep your pace to help you better achieve your run goals.
- Comfortably sleek the Galaxy Watch Active2 is light enough to wear anywhere comfortably. It comes in aluminum casing and with a variety of faces, bands and finishes so it goes with anything.
- Keep your beat. You can see if your heart rate is where you want it with Galaxy Watch Active2. Get automatically alerted if your watch detects a high or a low heart rate. This Device and related software are not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease
- Battery built for endurance The Galaxy Watch active2’s long-lasting battery can go for more than a Day on a single charge, and you can always get a quick boost from your compatible Galaxy phone with wireless power share. Works with Qi compatible Samsung
Rank #2
- WHY GALAXY WATCH8: Advanced health and sleep tracking features.* A lighter, more snug design for all day comfort.* Improved user interface.* Personal AI assistant for hands free help.⁴* 2-Year Warranty.
- SLEEP SMARTER. LIVE BETTER: Energize your days with a great night’s rest using Advanced Sleep Coaching¹ - improved with even more ways to keep your nights on track. Plus, Bedtime Guidance² helps you find your optimal bedtime.
- YOUR RUN, YOUR COACH: Step up your running routine with a Running Coach³ that analyzes your performance and gives you real-time feedback. Training for an event? Try specific programs built for 5Ks, marathons and more.
- NEW DESIGN. LIGHTWEIGHT FEEL: Maximize your days with a minimalist design. The sleek, thinner-than-ever silhouette makes Galaxy Watch8 look as good as it functions. With a snug fit and sporty style, it gives you readings without getting in your way.
- A PERSONAL ASSISTANT, RIGHT ON YOUR WRIST: Your Watch just became your personal assistant.⁴ Stay one step ahead of your day with a watch that helps you navigate your tasks and to-do lists.
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