Google has released several new features over the past six months that smartwatch users with one of the newer Pixel Watch models or a non-Pixel Wear OS compatible device should experience right away. The list of added features includes support for new gestures, a new way to pay for goods and public transportation, and an improved way to quickly respond to messages with on-device AI. Google has also added a few safety features that will prove useful in specific cases, including standalone earthquake alerts on Wear devices and support for satellite emergency communications. Finally, the smartwatch can also be used to ensure you don’t leave your Android smartphone behind, a feature that goes hand-in-hand with Find Hub updates for Pixel watches that allow users to find connected devices directly from the wearable.
The Wear OS 6.1 update rolling out in December is available for the Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Watch 4 models. The original Pixel Watch will remain on Wear OS 5.1, however, meaning owners won’t be able to take advantage of any of the new features without upgrading their devices. It’s also worth noting that the March 2026 Pixel Drop specifically targets Pixel Watches. Other devices supporting Wear OS 6 and later may gain some of these features in the future, but it’s unclear when that will happen. For now, here’s a look at some of these more intriguing updates.
Pay for goods and transportation faster
Google added a new Express Payments feature to Pixel Watch 2 (and newer) devices in March 2026. This feature should appeal to Android users who already use their smartphones for wireless payments in stores and on public transportation. Express Checkout allows users to tap the Pixel Watch to pay without opening the Google Wallet app for authentication. Express Checkout will work automatically when Pixel Watch is unlocked.
To enable Express Payment in the Pixel Watch app on your handset, go to the Google Wallet menu under Google, tap your profile picture, and go to Wallet Settings. The “Tap to Pay & Transit” menu allows users to enable the “Express Checkout without opening the wallet” feature. You can customize the feature to work only for public transport tickets if you are concerned about security but want to enjoy a seamless experience when paying for public transport. If you want to use the Pixel Watch without opening Google Wallet to pay for goods in stores, you’ll need to enable the “Tap to Pay & Transit” feature.
Google explains in a support document that users must unlock the laptop once in the last 24 hours for Express Checkout to work. Otherwise, the laptop will request an unlock before allowing you to pay for goods. Wrist movement also matters. You have to turn your wrist completely towards the payment terminal, according to Google. This way the watch detects the movement and starts the transaction. Otherwise, the Pixel Watch will ask the user to confirm the payment. If a payment is successful, the wearable provides feedback, displaying a blue check mark on the screen and vibrating or making a sound.
Manage Pixel Watch faster than before
The December update brought new ways to control the Pixel Watch that should help users navigate the device faster than before. For example, Wear OS 6.1 enabled new AOD media controls that ensure media playback controls remain visible and accessible when the Pixel Watch screen is in always-on display (AOD) mode.
Google also introduced new gestures in Wear OS 6.1, including Double Pinch and Wrist Wrap features. Double pinching is a gesture that involves tapping the index finger and thumb twice to control the phone. To Rotate the Wrist, you will need to turn your wrist quickly from side to side. Double pinching allows users to scroll through notifications, send the first smart reply suggestion in Messages, snooze alarms, start and stop timers, take photos, start and stop video recordings, and play or pause music. A flick of the wrist will allow users to close notifications and silence calls.
Gestures are available on the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 4 models and can be enabled in the Google Pixel Watch app on your handset. Go to Settings > Gestures > Hand Gestures to turn dual pinch and wrist gestures on or off. The same menu is available directly on the laptop.
Use AI for smarter message responses
Speaking of sending a smart first reply with a double pinch gesture on the Pixel Watch, Google has improved the smart replies experience in Wear OS 6.1 by allowing users to take advantage of the AI-powered functionality even when a phone isn’t nearby. The enhanced Smart Reply feature involves an on-device language model based on Google’s Gemma AI models that helps users generate replies to incoming texts in Google Messages directly on the wearable. This feature can be useful when quickly composing text responses on a handheld device, such as responding to incoming text messages while walking or running without the Android phone nearby. You will need a cellular Pixel Watch model to use Smart Reply in these scenarios.
The improved Smart Replies should be “twice as fast and nearly three times more efficient in terms of memory usage” compared to the previous version, according to Google. That said, the feature requires newer hardware to work. You’ll need a Pixel Watch 3 or Pixel Watch 4 to take advantage of the enhanced Smart Replies.
Never leave your phone behind again
You may not want to take your phone with you when you exercise outside, but this is one of the few scenarios in which you will voluntarily leave your device behind. More often than not, you’ll want to make sure your phone is with you, rather than leaving it on a desk at work or in a public place like a grocery store or bar. In March, Google added a new feature to Pixel Watch models to achieve this. The smartwatch can send an alert if you leave the handset behind and lock the phone when it’s out of range. The feature requires a Pixel 8 or newer and a Pixel Watch 2 or newer to work.
Pixel device users may want to track other valuables using Bluetooth trackers, and that’s where Find Hub comes in handy. You can see items connected to the tracker on a map and search for missing devices. In March, Google brought Find Hub support to the Pixel Watch, allowing users to locate missing items right from their wrist. The smartwatch allows you to play a sound on a missing item as long as the device is within Bluetooth range. You can also use the Pixel Watch to see and navigate to the location of the missing device.
The Pixel Watch may also offer faster ID checks (Pixel Watch 3 or newer) when paired with a Pixel 8 Pro or newer, thanks to the March update. This feature can be useful for faster access to passwords, app authentication, and managing sensitive settings (including Find Hub’s tracking and anti-theft features).
Discover the new security features
The Pixel Watch may also improve your security after the March update, as Google has expanded support for Satellite SOS to more markets, including Alaska and Hawaii in the United States, Canada, and Europe. This feature requires a Pixel Watch 4 (LTE) model paired with a smartphone running Android 11 or later. Satellite SOS will be available free to users for two years after activation. This feature should prove useful in emergency scenarios where users do not have access to a cellular connection or Wi-Fi network. By tapping the Satellite SOS feature, users can start a conversation with emergency contacts. On-screen prompts help the user correctly position the laptop so that a satellite connection can be established. The conversation with first responders begins on the device once it connects to the satellite. People who regularly travel to remote locations should make sure they know how Satellite SOS works on the Pixel Watch so they are prepared to use it in an emergency. Google has a support document to help you with this.
The March update also brought standalone earthquake notifications to the Pixel Watch, a feature that can be useful in earthquake-prone regions. Google’s earthquake detection service, also available on Android phones, provides real-time alerts. Even though such detection methods can only offer a few seconds’ warning, they still give users time to make a quick decision and seek protective shelter. Earthquake alerts can be turned on and off on the Android phone by going to the Settings app and looking for a toggle in the Security & Emergency menu or in the Advanced section of the Location menu.
