This article is part of a directory: Wearables Week 2023: Our big smartwatch and fitness tracker celebration
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It took years of waiting, but Google finally released its own smartwatch in the fall of 2022. Google's first Pixel Watch quickly rose among the ranks of other wearables to become one of the best smartwatches you can buy. The first one was sleek. Its compact design and innovative band mechanism impressed us, even though there was plenty of room for improvement, which was fixed in the Pixel Watch 2.

If you recently got your hands on a Pixel Watch, or you're looking to pair it with a new smartphone, setting it up is easy. Here's how to pair your new wearable, no matter which Android phone you own.

An illustration with the Android Police logo, smartwatch, and smart ring

Follow these steps before you pair your Google Pixel Watch

Google Pixel Watch on an arm.

You should do a couple of things before setting up your Pixel Watch. This makes the setup process as seamless as possible.

  • Download and install the most up-to-date version of the Google Pixel Watch app on your phone. If you boot up your Pixel Watch near your smartphone, you're prompted to install it.
  • Make sure you use an Android phone with Android 8 or newer (9.0 or newer for Google Pixel Watch 2).
  • Download the Fitbit app and sign in. If you want to hold off on this step — say, if you're new to Fitbit — you're prompted during setup.
  • Fully charge your Pixel Watch and your Android phone.
  • Turn on Bluetooth and Location settings on your Android phone.

How to pair the Google Pixel Watch with your Android phone

Setting up the Pixel Watch with an Android phone is easy. Make sure you have both the watch and your phone handy. The steps are also applicable to Pixel Watch 2.

  1. Press and hold the watch crown for three seconds.
  2. Your phone displays a pairing notification.
  3. On your watch, select your desired language and accept the terms of service.
  4. Open the Pixel Watch app on your phone, follow the on-screen instructions, and select Google Pixel Watch to initiate the pairing process.
  5. A pairing code appears on both devices. If the codes are the same, tap the Pair button on your phone. If the codes do not match, restart the watch and try again.
  6. Sign in to your Google Account or create a new one.
  7. The app prompts you to select some settings for the Pixel Watch, including the wrist you'll wear it on and the direction of the crown. Set both of these and continue with the process.
  8. Your Pixel Watch prompts you to turn on Assistant, screen lock, Google Wallet, and download apps from the Play Store. None of these are essential, though they make up some of the best features of the Pixel Watch. Keep in mind you can always come back to these steps.
  9. When you finish the setup on your Pixel Watch, swipe down on the screen and tap Settings.
  10. Tap System and then tap System Update. This checks for available updates for the watch.

Can you pair a Google Pixel Watch with an iPhone?

An iPhone 14 Pro series smartphone with the always-on display illuminated sits on gray, red, and blue fabric.

No, you can't pair your Google Pixel Watch with your iPhone. Although the Mobvoi TicWatch E3 and many of the best Android smartwatches can be paired with an iOS device, the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 are outliers. But all hope is not lost. Since iOS and Wear OS generally play well together, there's a chance Google will offer limited iPhone support in the future.

The Pixel Watch on an arm with the quick setting toggles selected.

How to set up your Fitbit account on your watch

The Google Pixel Watch's integration with Fitbit puts several fitness tools and statistics at your disposal. You can also follow along if you have a Pixel Watch 2.

  1. Press the crown on your Pixel Watch.
  2. Select Fitbit.
  3. Tap Log in.
  4. Complete the login on the Fitbit app on your phone.
  5. If you're a new Fitbit user, tap Install, tap Open, and tap Join Fitbit. While creating your account, select Google Pixel Watch on the list of devices.
  6. Click your profile picture in the upper-left corner of the Fitbit app on your phone.
  7. Tap Set up a device.
  8. Turn on any app permissions that pop up.

Set up LTE service through your mobile carrier

Someone spinning the Pixel Watch crown while it rests on fabric.

If you have an LTE-activated Pixel Watch, turn on LTE services to use mobile data. If you are an AT&T, Google Fi, T-Mobile, or Verizon subscriber, you should be able to complete this step without contacting the carrier with these steps:

  1. Swipe down from the top of your Pixel Watch and tap Settings.
  2. Select Connectivity.
  3. Tap Mobile.
  4. Make sure the status is set to On.
  5. Open the Google Pixel Watch app on your phone.
  6. Select Mobile network.
  7. Tap Set up a new profile.
  8. Tap Set up a new profile via your cellular carrier.
  9. Follow any on-screen prompts to finish the setup.

If you run into issues while adding LTE service to your Google Pixel Watch, contact the carrier or go to a carrier store. You may be required to share device identifiers listed on your smartphone, so you may want to use a friend or family member's phone to make the call.

Google Pixel Watch: Troubleshooting tips and tricks

As much as setup processes are supposed to be seamless, things don't always work out that way. Here are a few tips and tricks for common issues during the setup process.

If a pairing notification doesn't show up

If a pairing notification doesn't show up during the setup process:

  • Download the latest version of the Google Pixel Watch app.
  • Turn on Nearby Share.
  • Open the Google Pixel Watch app and follow the on-screen instructions to pair a new watch.
  • Check the list of paired devices in your phone's Settings app.

Check your Pixel Watch for all paired devices:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Select Google.
  3. Tap Devices & sharing.
  4. Tap Devices.
  5. Tap Saved devices. If the Pixel Watch is correctly paired, it appears in this list.
A gray Google Pixel Watch laying on a blue plate.

Settings you need to activate on your Google Pixel Watch

Several settings must be turned on for this pairing process to be successful.​​​​​​

  • Turn on Bluetooth on your phone.
  • Turn on Location permissions on your phone.
  • Make sure your phone and watch are within 0.5 meters or 1.6 feet of each other.
  • Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
  • Your watch must be fully charged.
Someone spinning through Pixel Watch options while holding it in their hand.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2 make a perfect pair

Google's Pixel Watch is a great addition to the Google Pixel and Android ecosystems. It has many great features, but to use them, you must set it up and pair it with your phone. And now, after the launch of the Google Pixel 8 Pro, its combination with Pixel Watch 2 offers unparalleled convenience, making your daily tasks more streamlined and efficient. Check out our Google Pixel 8 Pro review to learn more about Google's flagship phone.

Google Pixel Watch 2

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is the sequel to Google's first self-branded smartwatch. The second generation doesn't reinvent the wheel, instead offering a handful of low-key improvements like a redesigned digital crown, Wear OS 4 out of the box, and a newer chipset that should offer better performance and battery life.