According to reports from Play System updates, Google is integrating a feature into the Pixel Watch that will notify users when their paired Android phone is separated from the smartwatch. Critically, this upcoming functionality will also automatically lock the connected Android device if it is left behind. Further analysis of discovered code strings suggests that users may have the option to disable these alerts in trusted locations, such as their home. Additionally, the system is designed to trigger alerts and automatically lock the phone if Airplane Mode is activated on the device while it is separated from the watch, a measure that could prevent unauthorized access attempts. This leak is consistent with earlier indications that automatic phone locking was in development for Pixel devices.
This security enhancement arrives amidst a global concern over smartphone theft. ZipDo Education Reports indicate that losses from smartphone theft globally cost consumers over $3 billion annually. Approximately 1 in 3 smartphone owners in the U.S. have experienced their device being stolen or lost. In , an estimated 1.4 million mobile phones were stolen across the U.S.. The problem is escalating in various regions, with London experiencing a 150 percent increase in street thefts, reporting 78,000 phones stolen between and . The average cost of replacing a stolen smartphone in the U.S. exceeds $800.
Security experts emphasize the importance of such features. InfinityIT states, Locking your devices automatically after a short period of inactivity is a simple yet effective security measure. It helps protect sensitive information by ensuring that only authenticated users have access to your devices.
This new capability would bring the Pixel Watch closer to the security offerings of competitors like Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, which already provide similar forgotten device alerts and locking functionalities.
The primary motivation behind this development appears to be the need to bolster smartphone security and protect user data in an environment of rising device theft. Given that only about 10% of stolen phones are ever recovered and 75% are used for criminal activities within days of theft, features that automatically secure a lost or stolen device are critical. The integration into the Pixel Watch leverages the constant connectivity between the wearable and the smartphone to create a proactive defense mechanism against unauthorized access.
Google has not yet issued an official announcement regarding this feature, meaning a definitive release date remains unconfirmed. The exact distance at which the phone-locking mechanism will activate when separated from the Pixel Watch is also currently unknown. Furthermore, it is not confirmed if all Pixel Watch models will support this feature, as some functionalities may require specific hardware or software compatibility.
Should this feature roll out, it is expected to provide Pixel Watch users with an additional layer of security and peace of mind, particularly in public or high-risk environments. This enhancement could intensify the competition between Google and other smartphone manufacturers in the wearable and mobile security space, especially as the Pixel ecosystem continues its expansion. Users can anticipate further details from Google regarding availability and configuration options once the feature is officially announced.
Follow us on Bluesky , LinkedIn , and X to Get Instant Updates
