A report from Android Authority suggests Google is preparing a “Notify when left behind” feature for Pixel Watch. Their findings include UI strings pointing to alerts, Bluetooth requirements, and warnings if the phone gets too far from the watch.
We’ve taken a look ourselves, and can confirm a server-side feature flag already exists inside the official Wear OS companion app. That flag, LeftBehindReminder__enabled, appears in version 4.2.0 of the app and follows Google’s standard naming pattern for remote toggles. It shows the company is actively wiring up the backend even if the UI isn’t live yet.
What the Android Authority report uncovered
The original teardown revealed strings like “Notify when phone is left behind” and “To use this feature, your watch must be on your wrist and Bluetooth must be on.” There’s also a fail message telling users to unlock their watch, and a not-supported warning that suggests only newer models will get access.
That’s useful context because it matches the type of proximity behavior already seen on Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch. On those platforms, users get a ping if their phone is left behind, either at home or somewhere more accidental. Google’s version adds a security angle by auto-locking the phone when it loses contact.
The strings also mention trusted locations, suggesting the system may include exemptions for safe places like home. One line even mentions Airplane Mode disabling the connection and triggering the feature. Another string notes that auto-lock will only apply to one watch at a time, which could be relevant for users juggling multiple wearables.
Our own teardown confirms backend work is underway
In the latest version of the Wear OS companion APK, we found a reference to a boolean flag named LeftBehindReminder__enabled. It appears in classes2.dex, and it’s the kind of toggle Google uses when prepping a feature for remote rollout. It doesn’t trigger anything visual yet, but it means the internal machinery is being laid out.
We didn’t find the UI strings quoted by Android Authority, which likely means those are stored in another system app or module. But the presence of a companion-side flag supports their conclusion. It also lines up with earlier signs of an “auto-lock when disconnected” feature spotted back in mid 2025.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Taken together, this points to a cohesive experience that not only warns you when your phone is left behind but may also lock it automatically for safety. It could roll out as part of a future Pixel Watch feature drop, especially now that both the visual strings and the backend flag exist.
⚠️ An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Check out our YouTube channel.
And of course, you can follow Gadgets & Wearables on Google News and add us as your preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.
