It’s not yet possible for you to use your Pixel phone to unlock your Pixel Watch smartwatch. However, it is possible to do things the other way around. Your Pixel Watch can unlock your Pixel phone. This works by allowing the watch to automatically unlock your phone. It does require a one-time setup process to get going, and you will still need to swipe up on the screen to use it. However, you won’t need to type in a PIN or use face unlock or the fingerprint unlock to get to the homescreen. The Watch Unlock feature takes care of this for you.
Now it’s being rumored that Google is developing this same kind of process for people who want to unlock their watch in the same way. According to Android Authority, there are strings of code that have been found in the Connected Phone and Watch Services app.
The Pixel Phone watch unlock feature doesn’t have a release date
The strings of code in the app indicate that Google has worked on this feature to some degree, but it’s mentioned that the feature has no current release date, nor is it confirmed that this function will be released at all.
The feature is labeled as “Phone to Watch Unlock” in the strings of code which indicates that Google was working on this feature and testing it out. Much like the Watch to Phone Unlock, the Phone to Watch Unlock would let users bypass entering the PIN to get into the watch homescreen and other menus.
There are also strings present that mention being able to transfer this automatic authentication to a new Pixel Watch. For example, if you upgrade to a newer model and transfer over your account to it. It’s also mentioned that some of the strings suggest there will be a setup process that requires verifying the watch credentials before the phone can unlock it.
The post Unlocking your Pixel Watch could be a lot simpler with this feature appeared first on Android Headlines.
