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To change Emergency SOS on a Pixel Watch, open Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS. There you can choose how the watch responds to five quick crown presses, turn SOS on or off, and manage emergency contacts. The Google Pixel Watch app offers the same SOS settings on your phone.
Change how Emergency SOS starts
- On the watch: Swipe down, tap Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS.
- Choose Touch & hold to call or Automatically call.
- With either option, press the crown quickly five times. For touch-and-hold, hold the screen for three seconds to place the call. With automatic calling, the watch starts a five-second countdown after the presses.
You can also open Google Pixel Watch app > Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS to turn the feature on or off. Google documents another watch-side off switch at Personal Safety > Emergency SOS. Menu labels can vary with software version.
Depending on the setting and supported features, SOS can call emergency services or a specified emergency contact. Review the selected contact and trigger before relying on the watch.
Add or change emergency contacts
- On the watch, open Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS > Manage contacts.
- Allow or deny access to phone contacts when prompted.
- Choose a contact and phone number, then select the primary emergency contact.
- To remove a contact, tap the delete control beside that contact in Manage contacts.
Set up other safety features
Fall Detection
Open Safety > Fall Detection on the watch, or use Google Pixel Watch app > Settings > Safety & emergency > Fall Detection. Google warns that Fall Detection may not identify every fall and can be triggered by high-impact activity. It is limited to adults; location permission is needed to share location externally.
#1 Best Overall
- The new Google Pixel Watch 5 offers a smarter way to a healthier you.[1,2]; Designed for Gemini Intelligence, get proactive help, and personalized insights from Google Health[3,4]; watch is compatible with Android devices only; not compatible with iOS devices
- Precision-crafted to do it all: The Google Pixel Watch 5 features the domed Actua 360 display with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass and up to 40 hours of battery life[1,5]
- Metrics that matter: Advanced sensors help you stay ahead of your health and wellness; and Google Pixel’s most accurate heart rate tracking is fine-tuned for your activity[6,7]
- Understand your sleep like never before: Your watch captures insights like the time spent in sleep stages to breathing regularity, then summarizes it all in a personalized Sleep Score[8,9]
- Detects loss of pulse, then calls for help: Pixel Watch 5 is the only smartwatch to feature Loss of Pulse Detection, which can prompt a call to emergency services[10]
Emergency Sharing
Open Safety > Emergency sharing, choose contacts, and review which information will be shared. The feature shares real-time location and requires location to be enabled plus LTE service or an internet connection. It is unavailable to supervised accounts.
Safety Check
Open Safety > Safety Check, choose an activity, set a timer, and select contacts. If you do not check in, the feature can notify those contacts and escalate to Emergency Sharing. It requires location and LTE service or internet access, and is unavailable to supervised accounts.
Rank #2
- The new Google Pixel Watch 5 offers a smarter way to a healthier you.[1,2]; Designed for Gemini Intelligence, get proactive help, and personalized insights from Google Health[3,4]; watch is compatible with Android devices only; not compatible with iOS devices
- Precision-crafted to do it all: The Google Pixel Watch 5 features the domed Actua 360 display with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass and up to 40 hours of battery life[1,5]
- Metrics that matter: Advanced sensors help you stay ahead of your health and wellness; and Google Pixel’s most accurate heart rate tracking is fine-tuned for your activity[6,7]
- Understand your sleep like never before: Your watch captures insights like the time spent in sleep stages to breathing regularity, then summarizes it all in a personalized Sleep Score[8,9]
- Detects loss of pulse, then calls for help: Pixel Watch 5 is the only smartwatch to feature Loss of Pulse Detection, which can prompt a call to emergency services[10]
Car Crash Detection
On supported watches, set this up at Safety > Car Crash Detection; Google also lists setup through the phone’s Safety app or the Pixel Watch app. Google says the setting syncs across supported devices linked to the same Google Account.
Emergency Location Service and Location Accuracy
To enable Emergency Location Service on the watch, open Safety > Emergency Location Service and turn on Use emergency location service. Google notes that this does not configure Emergency SOS on a Pixel phone.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #3
- The Google Pixel Watch 4 is a stunning display of precision craftsmanship, with Gemini, your built-in AI assistant, Google’s longest-lasting battery, and comprehensive tools for next-level health and fitness performance[1,2,3,4]
- See it all and do the most with the Actua 360 domed display; it’s 10% larger and 50% brighter than Pixel Watch 3, and as durable as ever with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass[1]
- The Google Pixel Watch 4 has Gemini built in[4]; just ask questions and your ultra capable AI assistant will deliver quick responses for personalized help; and stay connected when you’re texting with AI-powered quick replies that are hyper-relevant[5,6]
- Get up to 30 hours of battery life or up to 48 hours in Battery Saver mode[3]; plus, the new side charging dock gives you 15 hours of battery in 15 minutes or less[7]
- Train smarter with 40+ exercise modes and real-time stats on your wrist[8]; and with high-precision dual-frequency GPS, you get more accurate route tracking on runs and hikes[1]
For the watch’s location-accuracy setting, open Settings > Location > Google Location Accuracy. This device setting is separate from individual apps’ location permissions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check model, connection, and availability
Google’s feature table lists availability by watch generation as follows. Features can also depend on country, language, account, permissions, and connectivity, so check Google’s current guidance for your model and region.
Rank #4
- Google Pixel Watch has a beautiful circular, domed design and new experience with Wear OS by Google, so it’s easy to get help at a glance
- Stay on top of activity, calories burned, and more with Fitbit activity tracking
- Track your heart rate and get insight into your sleep
- Save time with things like Google Wallet for contactless payments, turn-by-turn directions using Maps, and event notifications from Calendar
- Stay connected and productive wherever you go; respond to messages, manage your inbox, and make calls right from your wrist
| Feature | Generations listed by Google |
|---|---|
| Emergency SOS and Fall Detection | Pixel Watch 1, 2, 3, and 4 |
| Car Crash Detection and emergency-contact dialing | Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4 |
| Safety Signal | Pixel Watch 2 and 3 (LTE versions) |
| Loss of Pulse Detection | Pixel Watch 3 and 4 |
| Satellite SOS | Pixel Watch 4 |
| Emergency Sharing, Safety Check, and Medical Info | Pixel Watch 1 with Wear OS 4 or newer; Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4 |
A Wi-Fi Pixel Watch relies on a nearby phone connected over Bluetooth to call emergency services. An LTE model can call without the phone nearby, but needs active LTE connectivity; some regions require an active carrier or Safety Signal. Emergency Sharing and Safety Check need LTE or internet access.
Safety Signal is documented for LTE Pixel Watch 2 and 3, requires a Google Health Premium subscription, and is listed for the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Germany. Set it up in Google Pixel Watch app > Safety & emergency > Safety signal. Google says eSIM activation can take up to 24 hours.
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Best Value
- The Google Pixel Watch 3 is designed for performance, with advanced fitness from Fitbit[1,2]; the 45mm screen is twice as bright and 40% larger than before, making it easier to see your stats and info[1]
- Maximize your performance with advanced running features; build custom run workouts and get real-time guidance and advanced form tracking[3]
- Enhance your run routine with Fitbit Premium; Google AI uses your goals, past runs, and readiness to power personalized run recommendations[3]
- Know what your body is ready for each day with readiness; it uses sleep, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability to show if you’re ready to take on a workout or prioritize recovery[3]
- Cardio load measures how hard your heart works so you can see how hard you’ve pushed; compare trends to see if you’re under- or over-training[3]
Google cautions that safety features and emergency communications are not guaranteed in every circumstance: “Google Pixel Watch operates using radio signals, which cannot guarantee connection in all conditions.” Fall or crash detection may also miss an incident. See Google Pixel Watch Help for feature details and regional availability, and Google Safety Signal Help for Safety Signal requirements.
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