Google's earthquake alerts now on Wear OS smartwatches
Google is rolling out its earthquake detection feature to Wear OS smartwatches. Already popular on Android phones, this tool uses built-in motion sensors to spot ground vibrations and sends you early warnings—complete with the quake's magnitude and how far away it is—so you get a few precious seconds to find safety.
How the detection system works
When lots of devices in an area detect shaking at the same time, Google's servers quickly confirm if it's an earthquake and push out alerts. This crowdsourced method means warnings can reach you seconds before the tremors hit. It's especially handy for anyone wearing a cellular smartwatch who might not have their phone nearby.
Another step toward safer tech
The feature arrives with Google Play Services version 25.21, although it may not be live yet. You'll get alerts just like on Android phones, including all the key details about each quake. It's another step from Google toward making tech that keeps people safer, wherever they are.