A bold security move could nudge Pixel Watch users to rethink how they unlock their phones.
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
TL;DR
- New strings spotted in Google Play Services suggest that enabling Android Advanced Protection Mode (AAPM) will automatically disable the Watch Unlock feature on Pixel Watch.
- The shift prioritizes maximum security over convenience, stopping accidental phone unlocks when the watch is merely nearby.
- To regain Pixel Phone unlock via the Pixel Watch, users will likely need to turn off Advanced Protection Mode.
The Pixel Watch includes a Watch Unlock option that lets the smartwatch serve as a key to unlock a paired Pixel phone. This is incredibly convenient because, as long as the watch is worn and connected, the phone can unlock without a passcode or biometric check. However, there are times when unlocking with the watch isn’t desirable. Google may soon modify Watch Unlock so that it won’t work when Android Advanced Protection Mode (AAPM) is active.
In the Google Play Services beta version 25.49.31, developers found code indicating that enabling AAPM will disable Watch Unlock:
AAPM is a security feature introduced with Android 16 designed to harden protection against threats from malicious apps, external attackers, and harmful websites. It makes security a one-tap setting that enables Android’s most stringent protections across the OS and first-party Google apps, trading some convenience for stronger defense.
Looking ahead, turning on Android Advanced Protection Mode on your Android device would disable Watch Unlock, preventing phone unlocking via the Pixel Watch. Re-enabling Watch Unlock would require disabling AAPM.
At first glance, this restriction might feel overly strict. Yet the change aligns with the core intent of Advanced Protection Mode: reduce the risk of unauthorized access when someone is physically close to you. If security takes priority, this adjustment may be worthwhile. For many users, Watch Unlock already offers a solid balance between ease of use and security.
Google has also been seen testing an Authorized Apps feature for Watch Unlock, which could unlock the phone and open a specific page or app within a linked application.
⚠️ APK teardown insights can reveal features under development that may or may not appear in a final release. Predictions based on in-progress code are not guarantees of public availability.
Would you value stronger protection even if it means sacrificing seamless unlock via the Pixel Watch, or do you prefer keeping Watch Unlock enabled for convenience? Share your thoughts in the comments.
