FAQ

What are the main features of the Samsung Health Sensor SDK?

The main features of the Samsung Health Sensor SDK include:

  • Track raw and processed health sensor data on Galaxy Watch
  • Receive data from multiple health sensors

For information about the available trackers, see What data is provided.

The continuous health tracker types are:

  • Accelerometer
  • Heart Rate
  • Photoplethysmogram (PPG)
  • Skin temperature

Continuous tracker types measured sensor data and periodically invokes a tracking event listener. This enables the watch’s sensor data to be tracked continuously and provide more granular results while conserving battery life.

How do I get access to the Samsung Health Sensor SDK?

You can download the Samsung Health Sensor SDK on the Samsung developer site and develop your application and develop the application with enabling the Health Platform's developer mode. To distribute your application using the Samsung Health Sensor SDK, Request for the Samsung Partner Program.
When your request is reviewed, you receive information about how to access the SDK content.

For more information, see Process.

Does the Samsung Health Sensor SDK work on Android phones?

No. The Samsung Health Sensor SDK supports only Galaxy Watch4 and later models running Wear OS powered by Samsung. It does not support other mobile devices, such as smartphones.

Can supported health tracker types of the Samsung Health Sensor SDK differ depending on the Galaxy Watch model or Wear OS version?

Yes. The supported health tracker types can differ depending on the specific Galaxy Watch model and the watch software version.

The Samsung Health Sensor SDK provides a capability check API. It retrieves which tracker types are available on the user’s watch and can therefore be used by your application.

Can I read data from more than 1 health tracker type simultaneously?

Yes, depending on the tracker type. There are 2 tracker types:

  • On-demand tracker type, such as BIA (body composition) and ECG (electrocardiogram)
  • Continuous tracker type, such as Accelerometer and Heart Rate

Only 1 on-demand tracker type can be used at a time. Multiple continuous tracker types can be used simultaneously.

The Measure Blood Oxygen Level and Heart Rate on Galaxy Watch code lab demonstrates how to implement running on-demand and continuous tracker types.



Is an emulator available for developing applications with the Samsung Health Sensor SDK?

No. The Samsung Health Sensor SDK doesn't support the emulator. Development with the SDK requires the Galaxy Watch device.

Can I detect when users take the Galaxy Watch off their wrist?

Yes, depending on the tracker.

For the Heart Rate, SpO2, BIA (body composition), and Sweat Loss trackers, you can use the Samsung Health Sensor SDK to monitor the STATUS field with the update listener. For example, a Heart Rate STATUS value of “-3” means that the wearable is not being worn. For information about other status values and trackers, refer to the API Reference.

Alternatively, you can check the Sensor.TYPE_LOW_LATENCY_OFFBODY_DETECT value. For more information, see Heart Rate Tracking with the Off-body Sensor.

Does the Samsung Health Sensor SDK receive its data through Samsung Health?

No. The Samsung Health Sensor SDK does not share data with Samsung Health.

Health Services also provides heart rate tracking. How is heart rate tracking with the Samsung Health Sensor SDK different?

The Samsung Health Sensor SDK provides heart rate data tracking with IBI (inter-beat interval), which can be used to calculate HRV (heart rate variability). This information can be used for more detailed analysis.

The Android sensor manager also provides accelerometer tracking. How is accelerometer tracking with the Samsung Health Sensor SDK different?

The accelerometer tracking provided by the Samsung Health Sensor SDK records data samples with 25Hz resolution continuously. The SDK gathers sensor data in an application processor without waking up the CPU and sends an event at specific periods to a watch application. This minimizes the watch's battery consumption and enables a watch application to track the user's status for the entire day.