Can I Use Apple Watch With Pixel Phone?

As an owner of both an Apple Watch and a Pixel Phone, I had been increasingly frustrated at not being able to use them together. After countless hours of searching for answers, I finally made it happen – and I’m here to share how I did it, as well as to provide some alternative solutions for anyone else in the same boat! In this post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about how to use an Apple Watch with a Pixel phone.

The Apple Watch is only allowed to pair with a compatible iPhone. However, it’s not impossible to use the Apple Watch with the Google Pixel phone. It’s slightly complicated, and you’ll still need an iPhone for the process.

Step	Solution	Description
1	Get Both Phones	You will need both an iPhone and a Pixel phone. Use an old iPhone or purchase a used one compatible with your Apple Watch. Pair the watch with your iPhone.
2	Download the Apps	Install all necessary apps on both your iPhone and Pixel phone (e.g., Outlook, Gmail). This will ensure incoming notifications are in sync between your iPhone, Apple Watch, and Pixel phone.
3	Set Up Internet Connection	To maintain a connection between your iPhone and Apple Watch while on the go, consider purchasing an Apple Watch with GPS + Cellular features or set your Pixel phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to provide internet access to your Apple Watch via the iPhone.

Table of Contents

Can I Connect Apple Watch to Pixel Phone?

It’s hard to give up the smartwatch when it has so many impressive features. Unfortunately, Apple is aware of that and makes it hard for you to let go.

When you switch from using an iPhone to another brand of phone, like the Google Pixel, leaving your Apple Watch behind could seem like the easiest way to go on. That’s because Apple watches can only be paired with iPhones. They’re programmed that way, unfortunately.

But luckily, there’s still a way for you to use the watch with the Pixel phone.

Why You Can’t Pair an Apple Watch With a Pixel Phone

When you try to connect your Pixel phone to an Apple Watch, you’ll face two main issues:

The Apple Watch App

The Apple Watch app is a small companion to the iPhone’s primary operating system. It allows users to customize the watch, adjust notification settings, install apps, and more.

While the Apple Watch app is available on the Apple App Store, you won’t find it anywhere on Google Play Store.

So, if you have an Android phone and want to use the Apple Watch app, you’ll be disappointed to learn that you can’t customize many important features.

The Apple Ecosystem

Apple’s ecosystem includes all of its hardware and software products, with your Apple ID being the center of it all.

They also have access to iCloud storage for backup storage and other services from Apple. This allows users to sync their data across all Apple devices in their position.

Sadly, Apple’s closed ecosystem makes it impossible for any third-party applications or devices to interfere with its digital domain.

Apple has a valid reason for this stance. Security and privacy are paramount to them, so when you try to pair the watch with another device that’s not an iPhone, it won’t connect.

How to Use an Apple Watch With a Pixel Phone

You can’t pair the Apple Watch with a Pixel phone, but you can still use it with the Pixel phone. It may sound confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll make perfect sense!

Here’s how:

Step One: Get Both Phones

The first step is, unfortunately, the main drawback. To use an Apple Watch with an Android phone, you’ll need to sync them using an iPhone. Hence, you’ll need both phones.

You can use an old iPhone or purchase a used one on eBay for cheap.

You’ll need an iPhone that works, can connect to iCloud, and is compatible with the Apple Watch you already own.

Once you’ve made sure these requirements are present, pair the watch with your iPhone.

Step Two: Download the Apps

Now that the watch is connected to the iPhone, you’ll need to install all the apps you need on your iPhone and the Pixel phone. For example, Outlook, Gmail, etc. You’ll easily find those apps available on both Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

When you do this, all your incoming notifications will be in sync. Whatever notification pops up on your iPhone, you’ll also see it on your Apple Watch and Pixel phone.

However, this only works if both the iPhone and the Apple Watch are connected to the internet.

So that’s another issue to solve.

Step Three: Set Up Internet Connection

As soon as you step outside your home and lose the Wi-Fi connection on your watch, it goes back to just telling the time. Your iPhone is still getting the notifications, but now you’re out with a not-so-smart watch.

To solve this dilemma, you can opt for one of the following solutions:

For one, you can purchase an Apple Watch with GPS + Cellular features. This feature allows you to use cellular data and forgo Wi-Fi altogether.

Alternatively, you can set your Pixel phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to provide the Apple Watch with Wi-Fi. You’ll just need to connect the network to the iPhone first to sync it to the watch.

Now, you can use both your Pixel phone and your Apple Watch however you like!

Final Words

So, can I use Apple Watch with Pixel phone?

Well, yes and no. It’s slightly confusing because you can’t directly pair the Pixel phone with the Apple watch. However, there’s a workaround for that!

To enjoy both products at the same time, you’ll just need an iPhone as a connecting link between them.