Bold statement: The Pixel Watch just got dramatically more convenient, letting you pay with a tap without ever opening the Wallet app. And here’s how this change matters for you.
Google is rolling out a new feature called “express pay” to the Pixel Watch 2 and newer models. With express pay, you can complete a range of payments by simply tapping a retail terminal, all without launching the Wallet app. To use it, you’ll need to opt in, and the watch must be unlocked when you make a payment. This builds on the existing ability to tap to pay for transportation without opening Wallet, previously available to Pixel Watch users.
Compared to older behavior, where a double-tap of the crown was required to access Wallet for a payment, express pay streamlines the process. It’s akin to Apple’s express mode, which lets compatible cards be used without waking the device, though Google’s implementation emphasizes user consent and device security.
Beyond payments, Google is adding several features to Pixel Watch 2 and later that reinforce the watch as a robust companion to the Pixel phone. For starters, the watch will automatically lock your phone when you move out of range, and there’s a new alert if you ever leave your phone behind. These two updates work with Pixel 8 and newer devices.
Another speed-up upgrade targets digital security: when your watch and phone are linked, Google aims to speed up identity checks for sensitive actions—like turning off Find My Device—by requiring a quick PIN. This faster flow is currently available on Pixel Watch 3, Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel 8 Pro or newer devices (excluding Pixel 8 and Pixel 8A).
The March update also extends Find Hub to the original Pixel Watch and other Wear OS wearables, adds one-handed gestures to Pixel Watch 3, and broadens the Satellite SOS feature on Pixel Watch 4 to more regions, including Europe, Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska.
If you’re following these devices and updates, you’ll likely notice a smoother, more interconnected experience between your Pixel phone and wearable, with quicker payments and smarter safeguards built in. Do you think express pay will noticeably change how you use your Pixel ecosystem, or does it raise concerns about privacy and security? Share your thoughts in the comments.
