Use the Google Pixel Watch Watch Unlock feature as a key to unlock your phone instead of using a traditional passcode or a biometric like a fingerprint or facial recognition.
What you'll need to get started
Note: Watch Unlock may take 24-48 hours to complete setup.
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Watch Requirements |
Phone Requirements |
|---|---|
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A Google Pixel Watch with a passcode set up. |
A Google Pixel 4a+ that supports Android 13 or higher Note: Other devices like tablets can't be unlocked with Watch Unlock. |
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Your watch must be on and properly positioned on your wrist. |
A phone with a passcode or biometric set up. Phones with no passcode set up will not be able to set up Watch Unlock until they complete this step first. |
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Your watch must be paired to your phone's Bluetooth before setting up Watch Unlock. |
Unlock your phone with a passcode or biometric at least once a day to keep Watch Unlock active. |
Set up Watch Unlock
Set up Watch Unlock by first unlocking your watch while it's on your wrist. Pixel Watch will stay unlocked while on your wrist. Set up Watch Unlock through either the Google Pixel Watch app or through Android Settings. To extend watch battery life on Pixel Watch, turn this feature off.
Setting up Watch Unlock through the Google Pixel Watch app
- On your phone, open Google Pixel Watch
.
- Tap Watch preferences
Security
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up Watch Unlock.
Security Setting up Watch Unlock through Android Settings
- On your phone, go to Settings.
- Tap Security & privacy
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up Watch Unlock.
Once you've successfully added the Pixel Watch, your Watch and the Pixel Watch app will display a confirmation screen and you can now use Watch Unlock.
Use Watch Unlock
When you’re close to your phone, you can unlock it by swiping up on the lock screen or tapping a notification. You can also use your Watch to unlock your phone when your face or fingerprint isn’t recognized.
Your watch needs to be:
- Unlocked
- On your wrist
- Near your phone
If your face isn’t recognized and you have Skip lock screen turned on, your phone will unlock and show your last used screen.
If you have Skip lock screen turned off, your phone will unlock and stay on the home screen.
Turn off Watch Unlock
On your phone
- On your phone, open the Google Pixel Watch app
- Tap Watch preferences
On your watch
- On Google Pixel Watch, swipe down
.
- Tap Security
.
Get notified when your phone has been unlocked
Your watch will notify you when your phone has been unlocked by Watch Unlock. If the unlock was unintentional, press Lock on your watch to relock your phone.
Note: After relocking from your watch, Watch Unlock needs to be reactivated by using a passcode or biometric on your phone.
Turn off the vibration of the Watch Unlock notification in Settings.
- On Google Pixel Watch, swipe down
- Tap Vibration
Fix Watch Unlock issues
If Watch Unlock isn't working, check your settings and try these fixes: