Wear OS smartwatches can now deliver earthquake warnings without a connected smartphone for the first time, transforming them from phone companions into independent emergency devices.
Google Play Services version 26.07, released on February 23, includes a changelog entry stating "[Wear] With this feature. You can now get earthquake alerts on your Wear devices even [when] it's unpaired from the phone." However, features appearing in changelogs don't necessarily mean they're widely available yet.
The update means Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch owners will receive seismic warnings during runs, gym sessions, or any activity where they leave their phone behind.
Previously limited to mirroring alerts from paired Android phones, Wear OS watches now function as standalone safety tools. The system likely requires cellular connectivity rather than Bluetooth-only connections, though Google hasn't specified hardware requirements and this remains speculative according to reports.
Earthquake alerts provide estimated magnitude and distance to the epicenter along with instructions to take cover.
Google's earthquake detection network launched in 2020 and expanded to Wear OS in June/July 2025. It aggregates accelerometer data from millions of Android devices to identify seismic activity before ground shaking reaches populated areas.
The system has detected over 18,000 earthquakes and delivered 790 million alerts across nearly 100 countries.
During a magnitude 6.7 earthquake in the Philippines in November 2023, Google issued the first alert just 18.3 seconds after the quake began, giving up to a minute of warning time depending on distance from the epicenter. Nearly 2.5 million people received alerts before feeling any shaking.
The February update represents a subtle but significant shift in how wearable technology handles emergencies. While smartphones remain primary alert sources, smartwatches now offer redundant protection during physical activities when users are most vulnerable to being separated from their phones.
Google's changelog notes only one other change in version 26.07: improved password syncing through coordinated autofill dialogs between Google and Credential Manager services.
