I already use a (Garmin) smartwatch to unlock my phone using the Smart Lock feature (which can use any Bluetooth device to unlock your phone when in range). From the sound of it, the difference here is that the range is way shorter. I guess that's a tiny improvement over what I have now, as in theory somebody in the same room as me could unlock my phone if I wasn't looking, but it's not exactly a game-changer
this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2023
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It looks like this works like Apple watch on iOS: there's an extra security layer as the watch also has to be unlocked. Smart lock just requires a paired device to be within range.
An Apple Watch locks itself when you take it off, so if someone took your iPhone and Apple Watch from you they couldn't unlock either device. I presume this is the same?
Edit: the article implies that this feature allows verification when you initiate the unlock, whereas Smart Lock actually keeps the deviced unlocked the entire time the paired device is nearby, which in practice is very different and less secure.
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Where is this setting? I have a Pixel and a Garmin, and I can't find any such setting on the Pixel.
Outstanding! Thanks!
That doesn't say anything about watch unlock
I assure you if you use your Pixel phone and go through the prescribed steps you will be able to use your watch, or ANY Bluetooth device of your choosing, to keep your phone unlocked.