Your Pixel Watch could soon offer unprecedented control over your Pixel phone

Sep 15, 2025 - 11:15
 0
Your Pixel Watch could soon offer unprecedented control over your Pixel phone
google pixel watch 2 unlock pixel 8 pro
Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
TL;DR
  • Google is testing new functionality as part of the Pixel Watch Unlock feature, which allows you to unlock your Pixel phone using the Watch.
  • The upgrade could enable you to not only unlock your Pixel phone using a Pixel Watch but also launch a specific section of the app.
  • The feature is intended to work with a set of specific “Authorized” apps that you will be able to manage from the phone’s Settings.

The Watch Unlock feature offers a convenient approach to automatically unlocking a Google Pixel phone — and keeping it unlocked — when your Pixel Watch is nearby. When enabled, it allows you to unlock the phone by simply swiping up or tapping a notification on the lock screen. Now, Google is testing new ways to unlock the screen and launching specific actions within certain apps on the phone.

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We’ve learned that Google is experimenting with a new aspect for Watch Unlock, called “Authorized Apps”. This functionality primarily caters to the “Open on phone” feature on many apps, such as Google Messages or WhatsApp.

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