Galaxy Watch Sleep Mode Glitch After Restore: A Practical Solution

After restoring a Samsung Galaxy Watch from a backup, some users have encountered a specific issue where the screen does not turn off completely during Sleep Mode. Instead of going dark, the watch displays the Always On Display (AOD) watch face. This can be disruptive for sleep and defeats the purpose of the feature.

This problem is often tied to the “Sync modes with phone” setting within the Galaxy Wearable app. When enabled, this feature allows the phone to control the watch’s Sleep Mode behavior. Following a restore, this synchronization can sometimes become misaligned, leading to the AOD bug.

The Solution: Disable Mode Syncing

The most reliable fix for this issue is to disable the mode synchronization between the watch and the phone. This allows the watch to manage its own Sleep Mode functions independently.

1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your smartphone.
2. Go to Watch settings.
3. Select Modes and routines.
4. Locate the “Sync modes with phone” option and turn it off.

By unlinking the two devices, the watch’s Sleep Mode will function as intended, with the screen properly turning off.

Personal Preference: A Benefit of Un-syncing

For some users, this separation of modes is a welcome change. For example, a user may wish to set their watch to Sleep Mode to avoid notifications and screen light during the night while still using their phone for reading or other activities. When the devices are synced, enabling Sleep Mode on the watch also activates it on the phone, which can limit the phone’s functionality by dimming the screen or turning it monochrome. Disabling the sync allows for independent control, providing a more tailored experience.

Alternative Solutions

If disabling the sync does not resolve the issue, a few other steps can be considered:

• Create a custom routine: You can set up a routine on the watch to explicitly turn off AOD when Sleep Mode is deactivated.
• Wipe cache partition: Clearing the cache on the watch may resolve minor software glitches.
• Factory reset: As a final option, a factory reset of the watch without restoring from a backup can ensure a clean slate and eliminate any corrupted settings.

This issue is a known post-restore bug, and disabling the sync is a straightforward and effective solution that often provides the added benefit of more flexible control over your devices’ sleep settings.

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