Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOn the watch, go to Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS. There you choose how SOS starts: Touch & hold to call or Automatically call. The Google Pixel Watch app on your phone has the same path. Which safety features you see depends on your watch generation, connection type, region and permissions, as covered below.
Change how Emergency SOS is triggered
- On the watch, swipe down from the watch face and tap Settings.
- Tap Safety & emergency, then Emergency SOS.
- Choose one option:
- Touch & hold to call: press the crown five times quickly, then hold the screen for three seconds.
- Automatically call: press the crown five times quickly and the watch calls after a five-second countdown.
Touch & hold needs a deliberate second action, which helps avoid accidental calls. Automatic calling suits situations where you may not be able to touch the screen. To turn Emergency SOS on or off from your phone, open Google Pixel Watch app > Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS. Google also documents a watch-side disable route under Personal Safety > Emergency SOS. (Google Pixel Watch Help)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Manage emergency contacts
- On the watch, open Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS > Manage contacts.
- Allow or deny access to your phone contacts when prompted.
- Choose a contact and the number to use.
- Select one contact as your primary emergency contact.
To remove a contact, use the delete control next to it under Manage contacts. Google says Emergency SOS can be configured to call a specified emergency contact instead of emergency services, so check this setting deliberately rather than assuming SOS reaches emergency services. Contact dialing is listed for Pixel Watch 2, 3 and 4. (Google Pixel Watch Help)
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Other safety features and where to find them
Fall Detection
Set it up from Safety > Fall Detection on the watch, or Google Pixel Watch app > Settings > Safety & emergency > Fall Detection. It is limited to adults, may miss falls, and can be triggered by high-impact activity. It needs location permission to share your 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, select contacts and share your real-time location. The watch also has settings for what information is shared. It needs location turned on plus LTE service or an internet connection, and is unavailable to supervised accounts.
Safety Check
Open Safety > Safety Check, then pick an activity, a timer duration and contacts. If you don’t check in, the watch can notify your contacts and escalate to Emergency Sharing. The same location, connectivity and supervised-account limits apply.
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
Set it up from Safety > Car Crash Detection on the watch, in the phone’s Safety app, or in the Pixel Watch app. Google says the setting syncs across supported devices on the same Google Account.
Emergency Location Service
Open Safety > Emergency Location Service and turn on Use emergency location service. Google notes this does not set up Emergency SOS on a Pixel phone.
Rank #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]
Location Accuracy
Find it at Settings > Location > Google Location Accuracy. This is a device-level setting, separate from each app’s location permission. (Google Pixel Watch Help: location)
Sources for the feature steps above: Google Pixel Watch Help.
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
Which feature your watch supports
Google’s availability table lists the following by generation. Menu items you can’t find usually mean your model doesn’t support the feature.
| Feature | Pixel Watch generations listed |
|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Fall Detection | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Car Crash Detection | 2, 3, 4 |
| Emergency-contact dialing | 2, 3, 4 |
| Safety Signal | 2, 3 |
| Loss of Pulse Detection | 3, 4 |
| Satellite SOS | 4 |
| Emergency Sharing, Safety Check, Medical Info | Original Pixel Watch with Wear OS 4 or newer, and 2, 3, 4 |
Availability also varies by country and language, so confirm current support for your region on Google’s page. (Google Pixel Watch Help)
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]
Connection requirements
- Wi-Fi models: call emergency services through a nearby phone connected by Bluetooth.
- LTE models: can call without the phone nearby, but need active LTE connectivity. Some regions require an active carrier plan or Safety Signal.
- Safety Signal: described for LTE versions of Pixel Watch 2 and 3, requires a Google Health Premium subscription, and is available in the US, Canada, UK and Germany. Set it up in the Pixel Watch app under Safety & emergency > Safety signal; eSIM activation can take up to 24 hours. (Google Safety Signal Help)
Google’s own warning: “Google Pixel Watch operates using radio signals, which cannot guarantee connection in all conditions.” Detection features can also miss falls or crashes, so treat them as a backup, not a guarantee. (Google Pixel Watch Help)
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
