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Google Enables Earthquake Alerts on Wear OS Watches Without a Phone

The update comes via Google Play Services v26.07 with activation controlled server-side.

Overview

  • Google’s changelog states Wear OS can display earthquake warnings even when a watch is unpaired from a smartphone.
  • Wear OS added earthquake alerts in June 2025, but they previously depended on a connected phone to deliver notifications.
  • Google has not confirmed which smartwatch models are supported or whether the feature requires cellular connectivity.
  • The Play Services v26.07 package is available, though the capability is expected to appear after a server-side rollout.
  • Android’s alert system detects quakes using device sensors and anonymized signals from nearby devices to issue early warnings.