Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 just got a great free health tracking upgrade

It taps into an underused sensor to provide useful information

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review images
(Image credit: T3)

One of the biggest benefits of a great smartwatch is the range of health tracking on offer. Whether you go old school and track your step count, or monitor your blood oxygen saturation, there's a whole host of tech on offer, which can keep you in the loop with your body.

Now, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 gets a great upgrade in this arena. Utilising the temperature sensor on the device, Galaxy Watch 5 users will now be able to track their menstrual cycle from their smartwatch.

The feature works by tracking the users' temperature when they first wake up. This can then be mapped over the course of the month, giving users accurate, data-driven insights around their cycle, including predictions for ovulation and fertility windows.

The watch will also use this information to make suggestions around lifestyle changes which could help users. Those prompts include scheduling time to relax or address fatigue, or working out to relieve pain.

To activate the feature, users need to head into the Samsung Health app and add details about their last cycle manually. Then, in the settings, check the "Predict period with skin temp" option, to start the process.

The data is displayed as a month-to-month graph in the Samsung Health app, giving you a quick insight at a glance. All of the data is stored securely and locally on your device, with encryption to prevent sensitive data from becoming available without permission.

The update is rolling out gradually across a host of markets, so don't panic if you haven't got access right away. As ever, keep an eye out over the coming weeks to snag the upgrade on your own device.

Sam Cross
Staff Writer

Online news writer at T3.com, Sam has five years of experience in online and print journalism, with work featured in publications like Metro and Last Word on Sports. After years writing about music and football, Sam now turns his hand to bringing you news about new phones, smart home products, smart watches, laptops and TVs. Sam is a longtime fan and user of Apple products, including iPhones, MacBooks and Apple Watches.He’s also T3’s resident football expert, bringing you everything you need to know about the big games, including how to watch them. In his spare time, Sam is a keen guitarist, watch lover and (very) amateur golfer.