Google Brings Step-by-Step Workouts to Pixel Watch 3, 4 and 5, With Phone-to-Watch Unlock Coming Next
Google began rolling out step-by-step workouts to the Pixel Watch 3, 4 and 5 on Nov. 10 as part of its November Pixel Drop. A feature that unlocks the watch when you unlock your nearby phone is due within weeks.
Author’s Review
This is a genuinely useful update, not a gimmick. Gym sessions are where smartwatches often feel unfinished, and logging reps on your wrist beats juggling a phone between sets. Two caveats: Coach-built workouts need a paid subscription, and the unlock feature is not live yet. Give the staged rollout a few days, then judge it after real workouts.
What Google Is Rolling Out
Google announced its November Pixel Drop on Nov. 10. The main watch feature is step-by-step workouts for the Pixel Watch 3 and newer, which covers the Pixel Watch 3, 4 and 5.
Per Google’s own announcement, the watch shows live guidance for each exercise, and the phone can show it too. The two stay synced. You can log reps and weights on your wrist, watch live metrics, and see your stats afterward on the watch and in the app. Google’s community post, as reported by Android Authority, says the rollout continues over the coming week, so some owners may not see it yet.
How Workouts Are Built
You have three routes, according to Android Authority’s summary of Google’s post: pick a plan from Google Health Coach, ask Coach to build one on the spot, or assemble your own routine from a library of more than 1,000 exercises in the Google Health app.
Google first announced this on-wrist strength experience with the Pixel Watch 5 on Aug. 12, labeling it “coming soon.” For an early creator look at that watch and its strength-training feature, see this YouTube overview of the Pixel Watch 5.
Phone-to-Watch Unlock: What to Know
Google says that when your watch is on your wrist and your nearby phone is unlocked, the watch unlocks automatically, so you skip the PIN or pattern. Google lists it as coming in the next few weeks.
It needs a Pixel Watch 3, 4 or 5 with Ultra Wideband (UWB) and a supported Pixel phone, starting with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. It works only in regions where UWB is supported. Because your phone’s lock now effectively guards the watch too, keep a strong screen lock on the phone.
Compatibility at a Glance
| Feature | Works with | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Step-by-step workouts | Pixel Watch 3, 4, 5 | Rolling out since Nov. 10 |
| Phone-to-watch unlock | Pixel Watch 3, 4, 5 (UWB) + supported Pixel phone | Coming in a few weeks |
What It Costs
Workouts created by Google Health Coach require a Google Health Premium subscription, sold separately, plus the Google Health app and an internet connection. Android Authority notes that Google’s post does not attach that requirement to routines you build by hand. Google also says the features are not intended for medical purposes.
Why It Matters
Wearables are turning into AI and ecosystem hubs. Wareable reported the same day that Meta is bringing its Muse AI agent to Apple Watch and Wear OS. Phone-and-watch handoffs like this unlock also echo the wider push toward connected devices, as with Apple’s homeOS smart-home software.
If you own a Pixel Watch 3 or 4, this is a free upgrade worth checking for. Update your watch and the Google Health app, build one simple routine, and test it at your next gym session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Pixel Watches get step-by-step workouts?
The Pixel Watch 3, 4 and 5. Google describes it as “Pixel Watch 3 and newer.”
Do I need a subscription?
Only for workouts created by Google Health Coach, which need Google Health Premium. Manual routines are not tied to it in Google’s post, per Android Authority.
When does phone-to-watch unlock arrive, and what do I need?
Google says within the next few weeks. You need a UWB-equipped Pixel Watch 3, 4 or 5, a supported Pixel phone (Pixel 8 or newer on Google’s list), and a region where UWB is supported.
Elena Rostova
B2B Operations Consultant & Business Editor
Elena Rostova is a B2B strategy consultant specializing in digital operations, regulatory risk management, and scaling business models. She writes on corporate licensing, operational frameworks, and enterprise growth.
