- Android Earthquake Alerts is expanded to carry us
- The feature is supported on phones in 98 countries
- It is included in the latest update of Google Play Services
For several years now Android phones have been able to warn you of an impending earthquake, so you have a few minutes to prepare yourself and those around you -and the feature is finally expanding to carry us -smartwatches too.
According to June 2025 release notes for Google Play Services (via Android Authority), you now receive “Alert about wear when an earthquake is expected to cause shaking”. Google Play Services is a separate update to Android and must be used for your phone and is automatically worn in the coming days.
It makes warnings about earthquakes much more useful for wearing us owners, especially those who like to leave their phones in pockets and bags (or that have watches with cellular connections, leaving their phones completely behind).
Google has not said anything else about the new feature, but presumably any Smartwatch that is currently wearing wear and tear on us updates will also be entitled to get the early earthquake warning functionality.
How it works
We don’t know exactly what this will look like on the best Android watches, but we know how it works on phones. Google gets its data from seismic sensory reports as well as anonymous accelerometer measurements from billions of Android phones.
Expected earthquake with a size of 4.5 or larger triggers a warning: You get the estimated size and distance to the episent that appears on the screen and you can press the alarm for more information.
If significant shakes are expected, the alarm will ignore any volume and do not interfere with settings on your phone and play a loud sound. You will get advice on the screen on how to best protect yourself from the upcoming earthquake.
The Android Earthquake Alert system is currently active in 98 different countries around the world and you can check the list here. On pixel telephones can be found warnings Security and emergency In settings.
