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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!