• Off Topic
  • Min-maxing privacy invasion and functionality in WearOS

  • Edited

I would like to buy a smartwatch with WearOS, currently I am looking at a used Pixel Watch 2.

Since I am not planning to buy an LTE version the watch depends on the phone for an internet connection. Could I use it the same way I use Google Apps like Photos where I simply don't let the watch connect to the internet while keeping all functionality that isn't cloud syncing?
I might want to allow it access through apps like Google Maps for navigation, but that only matters when biking to unknown locations, so it's not super critical since I can just stop every now and then and check my phone.

In instances like Google Maps I am willing to give up some privacy for convenience if it is voluntary and I am educated about my choices, so even if complete internet blocking is not an option, I would love to know how much I can get away with.

In terms of privacy I am familiar with Garmin, but their watches don't really fit my needs for a watch, as I would like to develop my own apps for it and features like navigation are only available on the more expensive models.

If any of you have a Pixel Watch and can/do block its internet access, would you please provide feedback on which of these use cases function as they should? I assume most of these would work, but to be sure I'm listing them all.

Critical

  • Telling the time
  • Notifications
  • Fitness/Workout Tracking
  • Uploading custom apps to it via Android Studio

Important

  • Calls (via phone, no need to be standalone, same as notifications)
  • Navigation
  • Health tracking (e.g. Heartbeat)
  • Media control

Nice to have

  • Timers and stopwatch
  • Sleep tracking
  • Quick access to calendars

Fluff

  • Camera remote control
  • Voice Memos

Maybe??

  • NFC Payment

(This last one's interesting, as the watch would be running WearOS and so the blocking that happens on GrapheneOS shouldn't happen, right? No problem if not, this feature would go in the fluff category anyways, I'm just wondering how that interacts with the watch and phone OS.)

TLDR
Does a Pixel Watch work fine if you cut its internet connection? Can you even cut its internet connection fully via GrapheneOS' permission system? Can you selectively allow a connection for specific WearOS apps, e.g. Google Maps?

Thanks in advance for any information, I'd love to know as much as possible!

Does it count as off-topic if the main point is how WearOS interacts with GrapheneOS' permission system? Hm, I'll keep that in mind for the future then.

The pixel watch has very shitty privacy. Use a Garmin rather. I know its not your favorite, but thats the only real-ish option for privacy.

  • Nyan replied to this.

    As far as i understand you can't use the Pixel Watch the way you'd intend by blocking its network. But I don't have one so people might correct me if im mistaken.

    • Nyan replied to this.

      Rizzler I appreciate the concern, but as I have noted in the post, Garmin watches simply do not fit my needs. At that point I'd just go without one at all or keep using my old apple watch se for fitness tracking and telling the time, after all smart watches are certainly in the realm of convenience add-ons more than anything.

        Rizzler How so? It should, to my knowledge, be able to function normally enough when your phone doesn't have an internet connection, so I'm curious about what issues would occur, since I believe this would mostly just simulate that environment? Does it expect periodic connections maybe?

          Nyan Your Apple watch is 100% better for privacy than a Pixel Watch. In this case, you could still use it (or get a newer model if you want) and still be miles ahead in terms of privacy.

          • Nyan replied to this.

            Nyan

            Does it expect periodic connections maybe?

            I'd think it does. There is not technical reason why it shouldn't work since it only uses Bluetooth to send data right? Then again always on Bluetooth exposes attack surface and makes you easier to track by BT beacons and BT enabled devices, so you're making a sacrifice in all cases.

            In case OS updates are deliverd to the watch via your phone, then it would need network to obtain those. In that timeframe, it would send your info to Google.

            Nyan "...after all smart watches are certainly in the realm of convenience add-ons more than anything..."
            Yes, but it'd be VERY nice if you could use your watch (or glasses) for, e.g., phone/txt usage or navigation while walking - without taking the phone out of your pocket and exposing it to snatch and run.

            • Nyan replied to this.
              • Edited

              Rizzler Well yeah, but there's a reason I'm trying to get rid of it. I switched from iOS to GrapheneOS after all and now the smart watch only fulfills purposes of timekeeping and fitness/sleep tracking, which are handy, but not really all I'm after, especially since I want to try making apps for my watch and don't have a mac so that's not an option.

              newbie24689 Well yeah, that's why I'm looking to get one, I just wanted to clarify that it's not a critical issue, I can live without one, it's just convenient

              I bought a Pixel Watch 1st Gen. about a month ago and was very sceptical about all the privacy implications. Especially location and bluetooth tracking are something I don't like, yet offer the best functions and reasons to use a smart watch. I specifically wanted it for notifications (not necessarily phone calls) and navigation. Unfortunately, the Watch App needs network for those and play services needs at least the Nearby Devices permission to even connect to the app - even when the phone itself is connected to it via bluetooth, the app requires play services to have this permission. I really don't like that.

              I don't know how you would transfer custom apps to it, but I know it is possible to enable developer options. I don't know how good - if at all - fitbit sync would work without network, but I think everything in Critical and Important except Navigation would work without network.

              I'm not sure if I'll keep it. Maybe I'll try out a watch with asteroidOS. Have you looked into this? According to ChatGPT the LG Watch R or LG G Watch Urbane would meet your requirements when paired with AsteroidOS.

              • Nyan replied to this.

                Clueless

                but I think everything in Critical and Important except Navigation would work without network.

                Alright, that sounds good. I can probably get almost as much for my current watch than I'd need to pay for a used pixel watch 2, so that'd be basically an exchange and if both of those categories work, then that'll still be an upgrade. Lovely, thanks for the info!