Loss Of Pulse Detection Is Finally Rolling Out To Pixel Watch 3 Users In The US

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Summary

Google Pixel Watch 3 now detects loss of pulse in users.
The feature prompts emergency services when triggered.
It’s rolling out to Pixel Watch 3 users in the US now, following an initial release in European countries.

Keeping tabs on your health and fitness is easier than it has ever been with most smartwatches now packing advanced tech for monitoring telltale signs of other significant health risks through sleep apnea and irregular heartbeat. Google’s Pixel Watch is one of these smartwatches we swear by, and a long-awaited software feature is now rolling out. Google just announced its flagship wearable can now detect instances where there is a loss of pulse.

A person wearing a Google Pixel Watch and getting ready to ride a skateboard

Given that watches constantly track heart rate, loss of pulse might seem like a logically obvious feature the company could have added to the repertoire years ago. In fact, it debuted in a few European countries in September last year, and is now available in 14 markets. However, the US was not on this list, and the last we heard, Google got FDA clearance for Loss of Pulse detection late in February. Just a week after the tentative late-March launch schedule, the company just announced this feature is going live stateside for Pixel Watch 3 users.

Loss of Pulse Detection works a bit like Fall Detection or Collision Detection, prompting a call to emergency services when triggered. Google rather vaguely says the feature is the first of its kind, but reassuringly adds that it performed testing and evaluation for over 100,000 hours to strike a balance between sensitivity and accuracy. The company’s testing also focused on minimizing the possibility of false alarms.

Rolling out already

Only for the Pixel Watch 3

Source: Google

This new feature is already rolling out to customers who bought a Pixel Watch 3, and will be delivered as an OTA update to the watch. However, the March 2025 update that started reaching devices earlier this week doesn’t include this feature. We checked for availability with the Pixel Watch app version 3.4.0 on an Android device. Other features in the latest update include a fix for the delayed notifications with Fitbit, and Scam Detection features for the Pixel Watch 2 and 3 in the US.

That said, the uncannily close timing could mean it is included in the March update, but will be server-side activated. It should arrive on all compatible devices in a couple of weeks and users aren’t forced to use it either. Google clearly states Loss of Pulse Detection is opt-in only.