Samsung's new update enables more accurate menstrual cycle tracking by leveraging the Galaxy Watch 5's skin temperature sensor. Indeed, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are equipped with skin temperature sensors, but in case you weren't aware of this feature, it's likely because the skin temperature sensor on the Watch 5 isn't freely usable like others, such as the heart-rate monitor. Instead, it works in the background. Now, Samsung is putting it to good use.

Better Cycle Tracking via Samsung Health

Although users can't take skin temperature readings on their Galaxy Watches whenever they want, this sensor has now allowed Samsung to implement new, more accurate ways of tracking menstrual cycles.

BBT (basal body temperature) varies by menstrual phase. The company explains that, by reading the wearer's skin temperature after waking up and before physical activities, the skin temperature sensor on the Galaxy Watch 5 has enabled accurate menstrual cycle predictions.

Once Galaxy Watch 5 users receive the update, they can activate this feature by selecting Cycle Tracking in the Samsung Health app, adding their recent cycle information to the calendar, and enabling “Predict period with skin temp” in the settings menu.

At the moment, the skin temperature-based cycle tracking feature is rolling out gradually in the USA, Korea, and across dozens of European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K.

Samsung will likely bring this feature to more markets as time goes by. But as of now, the company hasn't revealed when and where that might happen next.