Bold claim: your Pixel Watch could soon stop unlocking your Pixel phone when Android Advanced Protection Mode (AAPM) is enabled. And this is a change that actually makes sense for security, even if it feels inconvenient at first.
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
TL;DR
- New strings in Google Play Services suggest that turning on Android Advanced Protection Mode will automatically disable the Watch Unlock feature on Pixel Watch.
- The move prioritizes maximum security over convenience, reducing the risk of an accidental unlock if the watch is merely nearby.
- To regain the ability to unlock your phone with the Pixel Watch, users will likely need to disable Advanced Protection Mode.
The Google Pixel Watch offers a Watch Unlock function that lets the watch act as a key to unlock the Pixel phone. This is highly convenient because it removes the need to enter a passcode or use biometrics as long as the watch is worn and connected to the phone. While convenient, there are times you may not want the watch to unlock the phone. Google could soon modify Watch Unlock to block phone unlocking with the Pixel Watch when security features like Android Advanced Protection Mode are active.
In Google Play Services beta version v25.49.31, code hints indicate that enabling Android Advanced Protection Mode will disable the Watch Unlock feature.
Code excerpt
Android Advanced Protection Mode is a security feature introduced in Android 16 that strengthens device protection, though it reduces convenience. It’s a one-tap setting that enables Android’s strongest security measures across the OS and first‑party Google apps to guard against threats from malicious apps, remote attackers, and dangerous websites.
Soon, activating Android Advanced Protection Mode on your Android phone will disable the Watch Unlock capability, preventing unlock via the Pixel Watch. You can re-enable Watch Unlock by turning off Advanced Protection Mode.
This may feel restrictive, but it aligns with the core purpose of Advanced Protection Mode: boost security and limit exposure from nearby devices that could otherwise unlock your phone. If security is the priority, this change is reasonable. For many users, Watch Unlock already offers a solid balance between security and convenience.
There are hints that Google has been developing an Authorized Apps feature for Watch Unlock, which could allow unlocking the phone and automatically directing you to a specific app page or section.
⚠️ APK teardown analyses can reveal features that might arrive in future builds based on in-progress code, but these predictions aren’t guarantees of a public release.
Would you sacrifice a bit of convenience for stronger protection, or do you prefer to keep Watch Unlock available even when Advanced Protection is on? Share your take in the comments.
