Keep your Pixel Watch ready to go at all times
Source: Google
Google’s Smart Lock feature allows you to keep your Android phone unlocked by keeping your Google Pixel Watch nearby. This is a useful reason to own a Pixel Watch, but you’ll need to be aware of the security implications of the feature before you use it.
We show you how to activate and use Smart Lock on your Pixel Watch. Unsure what else you can do with it? Try these helpful tips and tricks for your Google Pixel Watch.
How to activate Smart Lock
You don’t need your Pixel Watch to activate Smart Lock. Just make sure it’s on and connected to your Android phone via Bluetooth.
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Security & Privacy.
- Scroll down and tap More security settings at the bottom of your screen.
- Tap Smart Lock at the top of your screen.
- Enter your PIN or password if prompted.
- Tap Trusted devices.
- Tap Add trusted device.
- Select your Google Pixel Watch from the list
- Tap Add from the pop-up window.
Your phone stays unlocked for four hours or until it is no longer connected to your Pixel Watch. You can also force-lock your phone by opening the power menu and tapping Lockdown.
At CES 2023, Google unveiled Active Lock. This improved version of Smart Lock only keeps your phone unlocked when your Pixel Watch is on your wrist. We’ll update this article when the feature is released.
How to use Smart Lock
All you need to do to use Lock is keep your phone connected to your Pixel Watch via Bluetooth. However, you must unlock your phone once (and at least every four hours afterward).
You can disable Smart Lock by repeating the above steps, but you can also turn off Bluetooth temporarily if you wish to turn it off.
While your phone locks as soon as it’s disconnected, this still leaves a window for rascals to access your phone. If you lose your phone, we recommend turning off Bluetooth on your watch until it is found. Use Find My Device to locate a missing phone, or ring it from your Pixel Watch.
In addition, Smart Lock works while not wearing your Pixel Watch. If a ne’er-do-well gains hold of both devices, they can use your phone without hindrance.
Why isn’t Smart Lock working?
If Smart Lock isn’t working, it’s likely an issue with your Bluetooth settings. Try these steps to resolve the issue.
- Disable Bluetooth on both your Android phone and Pixel Watch.
- Enable Bluetooth on both devices.
- Open the Trusted devices menu on your phone and double-check that your Pixel Watch is connected.
Discover all the features of the Pixel Watch
Smart Lock is useful, but it makes your phone vulnerable to unwanted access. However, when you’re home, you can use Smart Lock to keep your phone unlocked while connected to a Chromebook or smart speaker.
