Key Points of This Article
- Discovered descriptions of “Watch Unlock” feature enhancements in the app code of Android’s “Google Play services” app v25.37.31.
- Suggests a feature to not only unlock Android devices but also directly launch specific apps installed on an Android device from specific apps on the “Google Pixel Watch” series.
- This means a more seamless experience of unlocking the Android device screen and launching apps from the “Open on phone” button on the “Google Pixel Watch” series.
Around Tuesday, September 16, 2025, an update for the Android version of the “Google Play services” app, v25.37, was rolled out. The version is 25.37.31 (build: 260400-806001533).
While the new features to be rolled out with Android’s “Google Play services” app v25.37 are not yet disclosed in the latest “Google System release notes” from “Google System Updates,” interesting descriptions have been found within the app code that I would like to share. These relate to enhancements of the “Watch Unlock” feature implemented on Google’s smartwatch series, the “Google Pixel Watch.”
The “Google Pixel Watch” series features “Watch Unlock,” which automatically unlocks a paired Android device when it’s nearby. This feature was initially rolled out in the December 2023 “Feature Drop” for Google Pixel devices.
The descriptions found in the Android version of the “Google Play services” app v25.37.31 suggest an enhancement to this “Watch Unlock” functionality. It goes beyond simply unlocking the Android device; it indicates the ability to directly launch a specific app installed on the Android device from a specific app on the “Google Pixel Watch” series. Specifically, tapping the “Open on phone” button within an app on the “Google Pixel Watch” series would unlock the Android device and launch that app.
Previously, it was possible to launch apps on an Android device from the “Open on phone” button on Wear OS smartwatches, but the screen lock was not automatically released. Therefore, unlocking the screen was necessary to view the launched app on the Android device.
In other words, the enhancement to “Watch Unlock” will make the process of unlocking the Android device’s screen and launching an app from the “Open on phone” button much more seamless.
<string name="explanation_continue_on_phone_subtitle">Watch Unlock is a convenient way to unlock this phone when you open a linked app on the phone from the authorized apps on the watch.</string>
<string name="explanation_continue_on_phone_lock_open_description">When you tap the “Open on phone” button in authorized apps on the watch, your watch can unlock this phone then open the linked app on the phone. nnYour watch and phone need to be nearby. Your watch needs to be on your wrist, and unlocked. You won’t need to unlock your watch again while it’s on your wrist.</string>
<string name="explanation_continue_on_phone_keep_in_mind_description">Using your watch to unlock this phone may be less secure than a strong pattern, PIN, or password.nnIn some cases, your watch may unlock this phone even if it's out of reach.nnOnly authorized apps on watch can unlock your phone when opening linked app on the phone.</string>
<string name="explanation_continue_on_phone_learn_more_about_authorized_apps_title">Authorized Apps</string>
<string name="explanation_continue_on_phone_learn_more_about_authorized_apps_description">Authorized apps are permitted to unlock your phone directly from your watch to continue an activity. This list is initially preloaded but you can manage allowed apps in Settings and it can grow if you grant permission to a new app.</string>
<string name="explanation_continue_on_phone_learn_more_about_authorized_apps_ok_button_label">Got it</string>The seamless launching of specific apps through the “Watch Unlock” feature enhancement appears to be applicable only to apps designated as “authorized apps.” It is expected that the management of these “authorized apps” will be possible within the “Watch Unlock” settings.
However, this “Watch Unlock” feature enhancement has not yet been officially rolled out and has only been confirmed as a development feature. While it is anticipated to be officially released in the future, the specific deployment timeline remains unknown.
Google Play Services App Link
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