Charge it fully first
Most smartwatches ship with a partial charge. A full charge before first use gives you an accurate read on real battery life from day one.
Download the companion app
Nearly every smartwatch needs a phone app to complete setup, even if you\’ll rarely open it afterward. Install it before turning the watch on.
Pair and update firmware
Let the app run any available firmware update during setup rather than skipping it — this often fixes bugs and improves battery life right out of the box.
Set up notifications selectively
Resist enabling every app\’s notifications at once. Start with calls, messages, and one or two essentials, then add more only if you find yourself missing them.