Left your phone behind? Pixel Watch wants to save you from that

For all the advanced features that the Pixel Watch packs, it still misses some surprisingly basic functionality. One such glaring omission is the lack of alerts on your watch if you accidentally leave the paired phone behind. This is a feature that Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch users have enjoyed for years. And it now appears that Google will also soon join the bandwagon.

The Android Authority team has discovered code strings in a system app on the Pixel Watch related to a new “Notify when left behind” feature.

Based on the strings, it appears that the Pixel Watch will display an alert if you leave the paired phone behind. It does not appear that the feature will work both ways.

Previous reports indicate the paired phone may automatically lock itself in such scenarios. The strings also point to Google letting you turn off the alerts on your Pixel Watch when in a trusted location.

A small Pixel Watch upgrade that will solve a big annoyance

Like similar features on other platforms, “Notify when left behind” will require a few basics to work properly, including having Bluetooth enabled on both the phone and watch. Unfortunately, it does not look like the feature will use Ultra Wideband for precision tracking.

Still, even Bluetooth-based alerts would be better than not having the feature entirely. And in most real-world scenarios, such as your bedroom, office, or hotel room, it should work just fine.

Google may limit the feature to newer Pixel Watch models, most likely only bringing it to the Pixel Watch 4 and 3. The “Notify when left behind” option could roll out as part of the next Feature Drop in March 2026. It should pair nicely with the Find Hub app for Wear OS, which launched for the platform only a month ago.