Min-maxing privacy invasion and functionality in WearOS

Rizzler

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

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

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

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?

Rizzler

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.

newbie24689

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.

Rizzler

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.

Nyan

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.

Rizzler

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

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

Clueless

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

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!