Google says the Pixel Watch 5 offers the most proactive assistance and health experience yet — but it’s only for Android phones.
This means that if you’re carrying one of the top iPhones, you simply won’t be able to pair your handset with a Pixel Watch 5. That’s certainly a shame, especially since the recently launched Fitbit Air and many of the best Fitbits can be paired with Android or iPhone devices.
We explain why the Pixel Watch 5 is Android-only, the minimum compatibility requirements, and whether you should pair the device with a Pixel phone.
If you’re wearing an iPhone and want to see the options in action, check out our best smartwatches and best fitness trackers guides.
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The Pixel Watch 5 is for Android phones only
Like the Pixel Watches before it, the Pixel Watch 5 runs on WearOS 7, which includes Android-exclusive features like Android Live Updates and support for Gemini Intelligence. With that in mind, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Pixel Watch 5 is only designed to pair with compatible Android phones.
However, there are still some caveats to keep in mind. Google explains that the Pixel Watch 5 works with “most phones” running Android 12.0 or later, so be sure to check your smartphone’s current operating system and update it if necessary.
There are workarounds that involve downloading third-party apps, but you’ll lose many of the Pixel Watch’s features. With that in mind, we recommend avoiding the Pixel Watch altogether if you have an iPhone, and avoiding the Apple Watch if you’re also an Android user.
Is the Pixel Watch 5 compatible with Samsung phones?
Yes, the Pixel Watch 5 is compatible with Samsung phones running Android 12.0 or later. Pairing the two over Bluetooth should be easy, and you’ll be able to enjoy the vast majority of Google’s health and fitness tracking features.
Pair the Pixel Watch 5 with a Pixel phone?
Although Google claims the Pixel Watch 5 can be paired with most compatible Android phones, ideally should you pair the device with a Google Pixel since they’re from the same manufacturer? For example, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 can technically be paired with most Android phones, pairing it with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone unlocks many features, including an EKG app, sleep apnea detection, and more.
The main benefits of pairing your Pixel Watch with your Pixel phone include slightly easier setup and seamless data syncing between devices. When it comes to health and fitness features, it’s thankfully not missing any major tracking devices.
Basically, as long as you have a Google account and your compatible phone supports the Google Health app, it should work pretty smoothly.
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