RWATCH M26 Smartwatch Review and Help w/ "Please Install BT Notifier in Smartphone" Error
***edit: link to download "SmartWatch7.1.3.apk" file to make your RWATCH work with Lollipop OS is now in comments section below****
So for Christmas I asked for a Samsung Gear smartwatch to pair with my Samsung Galaxy s5. Well I didn't get one. Not surprising b/c they're $200+. I thought about buying one for myself but then...*I* didn't want to spend $200 either! I mean I almost did, but I haven't yet. After a little internet research I ended up buying one of these doodads from China for $35 from www.gearbest.com. I got it after a few weeks...slow shipping b/c it's from China and who wants to pay for expensive shipping? That's one of the points of this is that I'm trying to save money here! So after I went and got it from the post office (b/c it required a signature) I took it to my office and started playing with it at lunch. It came with a charging cable so I plugged it in (using my own usb "box") and charged it. The 1st problem I encountered was the software: the instructions came with a QR code to download the software for the phone, problem was when you use the QR code you're directed to a Chinese website. Well that's a problem if, like me, you don't read Chinese. So I went to the Play Store and searched "RWATCH" and downloaded the RWATCH app! Installed it, turned the watch on and bluetooth-paired it with my Galaxy s5...everything seemed to work until I tested to see if I could get a text message, I got an error: "Please install BT Notifier in smartphone". Uh oh. So I started Googling. Based on some android forums I had read, I installed, tried and then uninstalled 3 more apps that did not solve the problem, including an app actually named "BT Notifier". I was still getting the dreaded "Please install BT Notifier in smartphone" error. Very frustrating! I have the new (as of Feb 2015) "Lollipop" android OS and I suspect this was part of the problem. Finally, buried in one of the many forums I found a suggestion to get an app called " EDIT: SmartWatch7.1.3.apk (See 2nd comment below) " This was totally the solution! I downloaded and installed the app and it made me register with an email address, login and password, which I then had to use to actually log into the app. After some setup to allow push notifications, etc I tried it out and it totally works! When the phone is BT paired with the RWATCH I can call and make calls, receive and read SMS, and even use the OK GOOGLE/Google Voice commands to open apps, send SMS, etc. My "Assistant" app (android version of Siri) even talks to me thru the speaker and reacts to commands from the mic on the watch! It's pretty cool! I'm having fun with it! Hopefully if someone googles "Please install BT Notifier in smartphone error", this post may come up and save them some grief! Good luck saving money out there!
So for Christmas I asked for a Samsung Gear smartwatch to pair with my Samsung Galaxy s5. Well I didn't get one. Not surprising b/c they're $200+. I thought about buying one for myself but then...*I* didn't want to spend $200 either! I mean I almost did, but I haven't yet. After a little internet research I ended up buying one of these doodads from China for $35 from www.gearbest.com. I got it after a few weeks...slow shipping b/c it's from China and who wants to pay for expensive shipping? That's one of the points of this is that I'm trying to save money here! So after I went and got it from the post office (b/c it required a signature) I took it to my office and started playing with it at lunch. It came with a charging cable so I plugged it in (using my own usb "box") and charged it. The 1st problem I encountered was the software: the instructions came with a QR code to download the software for the phone, problem was when you use the QR code you're directed to a Chinese website. Well that's a problem if, like me, you don't read Chinese. So I went to the Play Store and searched "RWATCH" and downloaded the RWATCH app! Installed it, turned the watch on and bluetooth-paired it with my Galaxy s5...everything seemed to work until I tested to see if I could get a text message, I got an error: "Please install BT Notifier in smartphone". Uh oh. So I started Googling. Based on some android forums I had read, I installed, tried and then uninstalled 3 more apps that did not solve the problem, including an app actually named "BT Notifier". I was still getting the dreaded "Please install BT Notifier in smartphone" error. Very frustrating! I have the new (as of Feb 2015) "Lollipop" android OS and I suspect this was part of the problem. Finally, buried in one of the many forums I found a suggestion to get an app called " EDIT: SmartWatch7.1.3.apk (See 2nd comment below) " This was totally the solution! I downloaded and installed the app and it made me register with an email address, login and password, which I then had to use to actually log into the app. After some setup to allow push notifications, etc I tried it out and it totally works! When the phone is BT paired with the RWATCH I can call and make calls, receive and read SMS, and even use the OK GOOGLE/Google Voice commands to open apps, send SMS, etc. My "Assistant" app (android version of Siri) even talks to me thru the speaker and reacts to commands from the mic on the watch! It's pretty cool! I'm having fun with it! Hopefully if someone googles "Please install BT Notifier in smartphone error", this post may come up and save them some grief! Good luck saving money out there!
update: still working out kinks. the device constantly becomes "unbound" (blue tooth disconnects). have tried multiple fixes but nothing yet that has made a difference. again, I suspect it's b/c I have the BRAND NEW lollipop iOS
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thank you! Thank you! How do you do "ok Google" work?
DeleteAnother update: after "rebinding" it nearly every hour I finally went thru the steps to email the developer. They emailed me with an attachment to the latest update. I installed it and it works awesome! Everything works. No unbinding. I am now using SmartWatch7.1.3.apk which AFAIK is not yet in the Google play app store.
ReplyDeleteThank you sooooo much! I sent my first watch back thinking it just didn't work, and I've downloaded and uninstalled countless BT notifier apps!i googled, and you came up and gave the solution I've been looking for! Thanks so much!
DeleteTried your apk download on my Samsung S5 running Android 5.0 with the M26 smartwatch. The Package Installer states "xApp not installed" or I get a Parse error. Tried many times. Any ideas? Still have the same dropout problem and no communication with the BTNotification. Frustrating!!
DeleteI'm surprised you didn't buy yourself the Gear S especially given you already have a compatible Samsung phone. I have that and a Galaxy S4.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit underwhelmed by the latter and the samsung ecosystem but the Gear S is fantastic (and frustrating) at the same time
$$$$$$ :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteCould you please give me the link for the SmartWatch7.1.3.apk
I'm having trouble finding it.
Thanks
yeah it's not out there yet. I can email it to you...or maybe I'll make a public dropbox file. gimmie a few min
ReplyDeleteok try copy & pasting this link and let me know how it goes
ReplyDeletehttps://www.dropbox.com/s/xq9la3vp8emu0ux/SmartWatchBT3.0-7.1.3.apk?dl=0
if that doesn't work try this one
ReplyDeletehttps://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/62512375/SmartWatchBT3.0-7.1.3.apk
I'm currently having the same issue with an iPhone 5s. I tried both of your links Nother weren't any other suggestions?
DeleteI tried the 2 links but it says it no longer exists, any other suggestions?
Deletetry this: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fon3lfdgol5avpr/AACywEaIYMfb6-JJqk5N9XEJa?dl=0
Deletelet me know if it works for you!
ReplyDeleteMichael, I don't how you found that, but it seems to work perfectly! I used the first one you suggested and downloaded it, registered, and turned on 'smart watch' in the settings and everything works (just need someone to text me for the final test)! Amazing! Even the camera works, which has never worked before, plus now I can access my old text messages. Something else that didn't work previously. I have text a friend and I can see that in the messaging sent box, so I'm sure this will work brilliantly. I'm delighted, thank you so much, you're a genius! And very kind for sharing and helping others, thanks a million!
ReplyDeletehaha I'm so glad it worked for you! I am no genius...I just got frustrated and went thru the steps of finding the developer's email and very nicely complained to them and they emailed me that file and it worked. then I posted about it and ended up sharing the file with you!
ReplyDeleteSeriouly, Michael, you should make a You Tube video about this. There will be hundreds if not thousands of people out there who have just updated their phone to Lollipop/Android 5, who will now be haing problems with their watch. Also, lots of sellers who can't sell their stock because only you and me know about the fix!! Hahaha :-D
ReplyDeleteAnyway, once again, thank you so much; I was seriously thinking about spending £100 on the LG G Watch as I was so disappointed that my watch (U8 Smart Watch) no longer worked, so you've saved me a lot of money as well as a lot of stress!!
And I can confirm that all functions on my U8 Watch work perfectly!! Better than before...brilliant. I am delighted!! :-)
haha maybe I will! glad it workes for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Michael, I just wanted you to know that I changed my phone; I now have a Samsung Galaxy S6. I've used your link again and once again it works perfectly!! So no need to spend a fortune on the Gear2 Watch!! Thanks again!! And Happy Christmas!!
DeleteHi, this application know if it applies to other types zgpax smartwatch s29, which also gives the same error lollipop or be a different processor to rwatch uwath u8 m26 or not okay? I hope your answer because I want to buy a cheap Chinese smartwatch but of course want it to be compatible with android L. Thank you for your contribution. You have helped many people. I from Spain I appreciate it, because there are many what they needed. Thank you and please reply when you can.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the s29. The linked update above does work with the m26 for sure.
DeleteThere is a separate one for the u8. I have it but I have not yet uploaded it to my Dropbox. I now plan to do so, however it will likely be next week as I am on vacation
DeleteHi, thanks for the reply. And for the pro u8 you know if it will work? Thank You.
I don't know. I'll just have to make it available next week and have someone try it and find out
DeleteOK I finally got around to it. Sorry for the delay! I *THINK* this is the one for the U8 smartwatch. Since I don't own that one I have not tested it. Here's the link to download it from my dropbox:
Deletehttps://www.dropbox.com/s/0pbo2nl8qtpztmp/SmartWatchBT4.0-6.1.9.apk?dl=0
Thanx, just upgraded my s4 to lollipop today and my smart watch stopped working immediately and your info and link resolved the problem completely! !
ReplyDeleteyay! I'm so glad it worked for you!
DeleteHello, I have a quick question. My watch seems to be giving the temperature in F and it doesn't seem right at all! Do I need to configure something to have it in celcius and more accurate? Thnaks
ReplyDeletehuh. mine is in celcius and I don't think it can be changed. if it can be changed I don't know how! sorry!
ReplyDeleteFinally I found this site and could get my RWATCH R26 working again! Huge thanks for posting this information and helping others!
ReplyDeleteNow I only need the sleep tracker to work... If anyone knows how to do this, please let me know here :)
Did you find out how to use the sleep tracker? I can get the pedo working and syncing to my phone app but cant start the sleep tracker
DeleteI have installed this app and it has resolved my app exit error everytime there is new notifications in mobile but although i have swtiched on this app in accessibility, still none of the app notificaitons are pushed to smart watch. what could be the issue?
ReplyDeleteI have GV08 as smart watch and mobile with lollipop.
any help would be highly appriciated.
I'm sorry. I only have experience with the m26 and u8. That's what this app is for. Other models... I have no idea. Sorry!
DeleteWhen i download your link and try to install it says "parsing error" iv linked my watch and phone (samsung s4) but the remote camera doesn't work amd i receive no notifications. Please help :(
ReplyDeleteDo you have an m26? or a u8? Did you make sure and download the corresponding file?
DeleteAlso, do you have lollipop OS?
Deletetry this one http://www.chrsz.com/download.aspx U8.apk
ReplyDeleteWOW, Thank you Michael! I have a GV08 smartwatch and a Samsung galaxy s5. I tried a handful of BT sync apps, including the one that was recommended by the smartwatch itself. I tried every combination of installing, reinstalling, connecting, etc, I could think of, but nothing. I was just days away from returning this product. Came across this forum and downloaded the following https://www.dropbox.com/s/xq9la3vp8emu0ux/SmartWatchBT3.0-7.1.3.apk?dl=0
ReplyDeletefrom Michael's post. I had to reconnect the watch a few times through BT, but everything is working Perfect now. Thank you!
Hi, I have a m26, and I tried to download this new app, but after a minute of use it stops working until I reinstall it but still only works for a minutes, I have z3 compact which is running on 5.0.2, please help as I can't use the watch right now. Many thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're having trouble! I don't know the answer to this problem, but here is the developer's email...this is the person who sent me the files I have linked:
ReplyDelete49985659@qq.com
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.galapad.btnotification&hl=en
ReplyDeleteThe above app worked fine for me.
Raza
Thank you very much for sharing this info with me. My u8 smart watch finally working! Before this, only can make call through the watch. You save my day.. :)
ReplyDeletecan u explain how you do it because i tried many times but still not working
DeleteHi, great blog, have you succeeded in using the sleep monitor, and how did you get it to work? I have the same watch as you and love it. Thanks for your help.
ReplyDeleteI have never tried it! if you do, please post your experience!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I have noticed: after any upgrade (and there have been several) it seems necessary to stop and start the Bluetooth to get the connection back.
ReplyDeleteI can't say the U8 is all that brilliant an idea. It has a barometer and thermometer. but do I really want to know the temperature of the battery or my wrist?
Thank you! The apk file delivered with the watch didn't work properly. I could not receive any notifications. With the new apk file you posted my problems with the M26 watch were solved! Great!
ReplyDeleteWith kind regards,
Berna
Hi! Your apk version works great, now I can even watch a preview of the camera before shooting...
ReplyDeleteBut there's no way I can register. There's a popup, phone has been registered, then nothing. When I try to log in it just keeps loading for a while... Then nothing.
And someone said he was using google now too. You can yell ok google on my m26, but google now won't recognise it.
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your link the watch works great with lollipop. I have only one problem. When I would like to control the music with the watch the sound comes from watch instead of the phone. Could you help me?
Thanks, Zoli
me too. I don't have a fix, sorry! I am not the developer. I am just the guy who figured out which app to use to make it not give you the "install BT notifier" error
ReplyDeleteCAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP? I paired it to my phone installed APK and I still keep getting a eror message "Please install smart watch in smartphone. Does anyone no what this means I can not get anything to work? I have a LG 4 phone
ReplyDeleteok unpair it
ReplyDeletere-install the software
then re-pair it
New software:
ReplyDeleteHttp://115.29.176.128/android/softwarelist.html
U8 smartwatch.
ReplyDeleteAfter many attempts to get the app working I have finally found a solutuion that makes all the functions work on the app. I have downloaded the app and stored it on my google drive this is the link to the apk. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8PeQVAmH22ydHppcU1FbVNyYWc. Install the app and then open it. The enable accessibility page will come and press ok. Then go to OXO notification and turn it on and press OK. Then go back to the app and turn on the Bluetooth and connect to the watch and you should get a notification on the watch saying that the watch has connected.
Hi, thanks for this. But I'm 3 steps behind this point and stuck! My new M26 **will not pair** with my LG G3. My LG G3 pairs with other devices, and my watch pairs with other phones (tested with an iPhone this morning...sacrilege, I know). But my phone never recognizes my watch as an available device, and though my watch recognizes my phone, it always fails to pair!
ReplyDeleteI'm a techie, so the issue isn't visibility or BT being off on either device. I've toggled those options endlessly. I updated to the latest APK you posted. But I don't know what to do. I don't see this problem anywhere else online, and I'm not sure how to contact the manufacturer. Any thoughts??
Hi Michael:
ReplyDeleteI read most of your response advice to people having problem with their phone and the M26. Now, I have the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime and my M26 is not working with it, I have tried many apps none of them work. Please, help.
sorry! I'm not actually a techie...you may know more about this than me! I'm just the guy who "found" the app that fixed a problem that a whole lot of people had with their m26 when Lollipop 1st came out. I'm not really a tech problem solver! sorry!
ReplyDeletenow eyes on the other hand...
Hi Michael, how did you get "OK Google" to work. Is there another app I need to install on the phone end? Sorry to bother you with this but I can't find a web site for the watch. Also the smartwatch app you recommended worked because the other one kept disconnected often. Only had the watch for the weekend but I really like it. Can you get MMS messages or pictures? Just curious,
ReplyDeleteThanks
Scott
Hi Micheal, how did you get " OK Google to work? Do I need another app on my phone ? I receive SMS but not MMS or pictures any ideas? I installed your suggested app and have kitkat4.4 on the phone. I'd also like to see the weather icon like they show in the pictures if your does that. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI have a new Smart Watch R26 and can't seem to find where I can change the units of measure e.g. feet to metres degrees F to degrees C Any help appreciated please.
ReplyDeleteI have a Note 4 with lollipop 5.1.1. and bought an Rwatch M28 and I was having the same issues, it would install Rwatch app from here; http://3cb155.l25.yunpan.cn/lk/QbCW3haEQaM4E
ReplyDeletebut BT was not working no matter what I tried. So I did install your app and updated it to 7.1.7. (upload it to dropbox, link at end) though it didn't work off at bat, I also unpaired and removed the devices from each others list and reconnected them and then it finally worked after I did it the 3rd time when I gave access in accessibility.
Just need to fix the sleep monitor and one error that pops up saying "Gsensor Stopped."
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l45vcwlcseoem8s/SmartWatchBt7.1.7.apk?dl=0
Thank you for the help, and if anyone can help with the other things, let me know, although it might be because of lollipop 5.1.1.
I wonder if Marshmallow will mess everything up when they update me. Here's to wishful thinking.
Wow, I was at a loss, worried about this added apk fix, but downloaded it and it is working on my Tufen Smart Wear watch. I love this watch, look, feel, and functionality, but so frustrated it wouldn't sync with my phone messaging. This fix has worked so far so good. I just tested it and received my first text that worked through my watch. Glad I found this blog, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAm I missing something or is it not possible to read an actual email? I get the notification with who it's from and time/date but not the contents.
ReplyDeleteyeah reading the actual email is not possible. just the preview
ReplyDeleteShame that. I've ended up buying a sony smartwatch 2 to replace it. The stainless steel version is currently £53 from Amazon brand new! Very happy with this one functionality wise and it looks great.
ReplyDeleteI have a Note 4 with lollipop 5.1.1. and bought an Rwatch M28 and I was having the same issues, it would install Rwatch app from here; http://3cb155.l25.yunpan.cn/lk/QbCW3haEQaM4E
ReplyDeletebut BT was not working no matter what I tried. So I did install your app and updated it to 7.1.7. (upload it to dropbox, link at end) though it didn't work off at bat, I also unpaired and removed the devices from each others list and reconnected them and then it finally worked after I did it the 3rd time when I gave access in accessibility.
Just need to fix the sleep monitor and one error that pops up saying "Gsensor Stopped."
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l45vcwlcseoem8s/SmartWatchBt7.1.7.apk?dl=0
Thank you for the help, and if anyone can help with the other things, let me know, although it might be because of lollipop 5.1.1.
I wonder if Marshmallow will mess everything up when they update me. Here's to wishful thinking.
Reply
2 - 3 days use RWATCH m26. My phone is Samsung GALAXY III_GT-I9300.
ReplyDeleteDo you know why when the phone is set to auto answer (with Bluetooth) watch incoming calls, but nothing is heard. Switch off automatic response, everything is OK.
I actually haven't tried automatic answering and I didn't see that function at all withing the app. But it may be that the watch is not coded for that type of functionality as it bypasses the common notification trigger that a regular call produces to the watch. I don't know if any other watch has it working yet but maybe newer watches in the future will come with it as they progresses.
DeleteDoes the watch works with blootooth version 3 ?
ReplyDeletedon't know, sorry!
DeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteI have m26 watch too. I've installed the app you linked, and everything works fine. The only problem is that if i hearing music on my phone with headphones: when i got a call, the m26 takes the speaker control over my phone. :( The only cause of i brought the watch, is to talk to the hand, while i can hear caller through my headphones.
Is there somebody solved this issue?
Hi bud yes therenis a simple way. Either you go to bluetooth menu hit the settings button on the smartwatch device and uncheck the audio for device or while in call hit the BT button amd should rerout to phone audio
DeleteGot the smartwatch app installed and seems fine with notifications for M26 watch. Has anyone been able to get the fitness stuff to sync. The pedometer that came with the original Mediatech software was called (codoon but its all in chinese)
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know how to get the sleep tracker to work? The oedometer syncs to my phone smartwatch app but I dont know how to activate the sleep tracker through the watch?
ReplyDeletehi just rec'd my new RWatch R11 but no way can I get it to connect with the BT Notifiers?? I have however had success with Fundo Wear. I am able to make and receive call, get SMS and email alerts. Not work out the health bit and sleep etc as yet. warwick
ReplyDeleteI'm trying this but I I still need help not shore how this works
ReplyDeleteMy Rwatch M26 just arrived 2 days ago and i try it yesterday. I'm not following user guide in watch box but i already install your link on dropbox. It works for my M26 watch and my Samsung J2! Include sync music, operating camera, messaging, phonebook, and call logs. Thought i can't use find phone cause i must scan something and i don't understand how to scan it but thank you very much for your link, Mr. Michael! Very very helpfully! 😀
ReplyDeleteCan this be made to work with an iPhone 5s....can anyone help ?
ReplyDeleteHi I have an m26 with a galaxy note.when I answer or call I can.only hear the person I am speaking to if I press speaker on my phone any ideas of how to get it all through the phone.
ReplyDeleteWhich Note? I still have my N4 and also the N7 but i havent used it yet on it but can try it.
Deleteno sorry I don't own this watch anymore. good luck!
ReplyDeleteI need help with my watch
ReplyDeletesorry I no longer own this watch
DeleteThe easy and working method for fixing the bt notification error https://youtu.be/PubQqVTgGDM
ReplyDelete