Why doesn't Google support this already?
Google does technically have an app for this, Wear OS by Google, still live on the App Store, requiring iOS 15 or later. It just doesn't work well. It's currently rated 1.9 out of 5 stars from 4.1K ratings, and it hasn't been updated since March 2023. Real users reviewing it report that calls and texts do not come through on the watch, even though the app markets that they will.
Google's own support documentation adds a specific limitation on top of that: "Watches that run Wear OS 3 are not compatible with the Wear OS app." Every Pixel Watch runs Wear OS 3 or newer, so Google's own official app doesn't meaningfully support any Pixel Watch on iPhone, not because Pixel Watch is unusually locked down, but because Google's iPhone app itself hasn't kept pace with its own watches.
This is where Lynio comes in, built specifically to do what Google's own app doesn't.
What to expect before you start
Setup depends on whether your Pixel Watch is brand new or already in use.
Brand new, not yet set up: you'll need an Android phone for the initial activation, that's a Google requirement for the watch itself, not something Lynio can skip. Once that's done, Lynio takes over.
Already set up and in use: if you can already open your watch's home screen, Lynio can finish the connection directly from the watch, no Android phone needed, and it works even if the watch doesn't currently have Google Play access.
Setup takes 5 to 10 minutes: closer to 5 if your watch is already set up and in use, closer to 10 if you're setting it up new and need Android access first.
Connect in 3 steps
- 1Download Lynio on your iPhone. Available on the App Store. Search "Lynio" or use the button below.
- 2Install Lynio Watch on your Pixel Watch. Open the Google Play Store on the watch, search "Lynio Watch," and tap Install. If your watch is already in use without Google Play access, Lynio's in-app guide covers the alternate path.
- 3Follow the in-app pairing guide. Open Lynio on your iPhone, it walks you through pairing step by step, 5 to 10 minutes depending on your setup above.
Compare every Pixel Watch at a glance
| Model | Case | Chip | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel Watch | Circular AMOLED | — | Fitbit health & sleep tracking, ECG |
| Pixel Watch 2 | Sapphire crystal | Snapdragon W5+ | Continuous ECG, on-device stress management, 24hr battery |
| Pixel Watch 3 | 41/45mm, thinner bezel | — | Most accurate sensors yet, loss of pulse detection, emergency SOS |
| Pixel Watch 4 | Refined aluminum, 3,000-nit display | Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 with a Cortex M55 co-processor | Deep Fitbit integration, irregular heart rhythm detection |
| Pixel Watch 5 | Actua 360, 3,000-nit, domed Gorilla Glass 5 | Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 | 3GB RAM, 64GB storage, cloud-based GPS post-processing |
What you get after pairing
Calls on your wrist, iPhone notifications, caller ID and contacts, health data synced to Apple Health, music control, and automatic reconnection, the same on every model listed above.
References
- Wear OS by Google in App Store: source for its rating, review count and March 2023 last-update date
- Google Wear OS Help: source for "Watches that run Wear OS 3 are not compatible with the Wear OS app"
- Lynio on the Apple App Store: source for the iOS 17.6 minimum and "any Wear OS 3.0+ smartwatch"
Quick Answers
Does Google have its own app to connect Pixel Watch to iPhone?
Yes, Wear OS by Google, but it's rated 1.9 out of 5 stars, hasn't been updated since March 2023, and Google's own documentation says it doesn't support Wear OS 3 watches, which is every Pixel Watch.
Do I need an Android phone to connect my Pixel Watch to iPhone?
Only if the watch is brand new and hasn't been set up yet, that's a one-time Google requirement. If your watch is already set up and in use, Lynio can finish the connection from the watch itself, no Android needed.
How long does it take to connect a Pixel Watch to an iPhone?
5 to 10 minutes: closer to 5 if the watch is already in use, closer to 10 for a brand-new watch that needs Android access first.
Does the Pixel Watch 5 work with iPhone?
Yes, through Lynio, the same three-step setup as every other Pixel Watch on this page.
What if my Pixel Watch doesn't have Google Play access?
Lynio can still connect it as long as the watch is already set up and you can reach its home screen.