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
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.
Smart Lock is quite easy to abuse (you can easily relay the signal for kilometers if you have a receiver close to your smart watch). In freak conditions, stray Bluetooth packets may just be received from a hundred meters away, and that’s all you need for your phone to spontaneously unlock. This setup works for stopping annoying coworkers snooping on your conversations when you leave your phone on your desk during a quick coffee break, but terrible if you’re trying to protect your phone from unlawful searches or other targeted break-ins.
Apple’s security feature, and I presume the Pixel Watch one, is harder to spoof. It’s still theoretically possible, but incredibly difficult to the point where it’s not much of a concern.
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.
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
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.
Smart Lock is quite easy to abuse (you can easily relay the signal for kilometers if you have a receiver close to your smart watch). In freak conditions, stray Bluetooth packets may just be received from a hundred meters away, and that’s all you need for your phone to spontaneously unlock. This setup works for stopping annoying coworkers snooping on your conversations when you leave your phone on your desk during a quick coffee break, but terrible if you’re trying to protect your phone from unlawful searches or other targeted break-ins.
Apple’s security feature, and I presume the Pixel Watch one, is harder to spoof. It’s still theoretically possible, but incredibly difficult to the point where it’s not much of a concern.
Where is this setting? I have a Pixel and a Garmin, and I can’t find any such setting on the Pixel.
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6093922
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.