How to use the Galaxy Gear with a Nexus 5 or Z Ultra/HTC One GPe
Considering the massive combo deals and sheer numbers of Galaxy Note 3's shipped over the holidays I can only assume that plenty of people ended up being stuck with a Galaxy Gear. While I may not be much of a fan in its current incarnation, the device still has its uses, especially if you want to re-gift it to a friend that owns a Nexus 5 or a Google Play edition Xperia Z Ultra or HTC One. While the Gear initially only worked with two Samsung devices and now more via the Android 4.3 update, a simple hack exists to pair the Galaxy Gear with other stock Android devices, the only non-Samsung devices to work with the chunky smartwatch.
There's not much to it, so let's get down to it:
- First off you need to download an APK called gearmanagerstub onto your device.
- Then, download the APK called Gear Manager 1.6.111801 and rename the .apk extension to a .zip extension.
- Open the .zip and go to assets/preinstallapks and install all of the APKs found there.
- Rename the .zip back to .apk and install that on your device too.
- Now you just have to pair the Gear to your device. Use NFC or manual pairing.
- Install ATNManager 1.2.2 and allow it to access your notifications via Settings > Security > Notifications Access.
- Launch ATN Manager and give it whatever notification permissions you want to receive on your Galaxy Gear.
This hack will undoubtedly be Nexus 5 and if the hack works on the Z Ultra and HTC One Google Play editions, it also stands to reason that it may well work on other Google Play edition devices running KitKat.
Did you get your non-Samsung Android paired with your Galaxy Gear? Do you think Samsung should open the Gear up to all devices?
Source: Smartwatch Fans
Finally, after work of two and half an hour, my Nexus 5 is connected to Galaxy Gear. Thanks a ton!!!