Google Pixel Watch will receive Unlock Device feature to unlock Android smartphones securely. The company announced at CES 2023 that users would be able to unlock their android devices using their Pixel smartwatch.
This will serve as a backup security feature in case your smartphone doesn’t recognize your face or fingerprint ID. A similar feature was introduced by Apple which allows users to unlock their iPhones using the Apple watch.
Although Android smartphones already have the Google Smart Lock feature which uses trusted connected Bluetooth devices, the Pixel Watch Unlock appears to be an improved version of this feature.
Google introduced Active Unlock API with Android 13, and it adds a second layer of security to Smart Lock. It requires you to authenticate yourself on the Smartwatch, and your smartphone stays unlocked as long as you’re actively wearing your smartwatch.
The Smart Lock feature has yet to be officially released.
