Google is bringing a life-saving upgrade to your wrist. 
With the June 2025 Google Play services update (version 25.21), Wear OS smartwatches are gaining access to Android’s earthquake alert system. Originally launched on Android phones in 2020 and rolled out globally by 2022, this feature now expands its reach to even more users.
The earthquake detection system works by tapping into the massive network of Android smartphones, turning them into tiny seismic sensors. When shaking is detected, the system analyzes the data almost instantly and sends warnings to users who may be in danger-often seconds before the quake hits. Those few seconds can mean the difference between safety and disaster.
On Android phones, the alerts come in two types: a subtle “Be Aware Alert” for mild tremors, and a more aggressive “Take Action Alert” when stronger shaking is imminent. The latter overrides Do Not Disturb settings, blares a loud alarm, and shows on-screen safety tips
. Wear OS smartwatches will replicate this behavior, showing the quake’s strength and how far it is from your location-right on your wrist.
While this may sound like a minor tweak, it’s actually a major step for emergency tech. Many people wear their watches all day, even when their phones are out of reach. Receiving alerts directly on the wrist ensures faster response times in critical moments. It’s especially useful for those who are hearing impaired or in loud environments, where vibrations can be more effective than sound alerts.
This update underlines the evolving role of wearables. Beyond fitness tracking and message notifications, smartwatches are stepping into public safety. And while it’s a feature we hope you’ll never need, it’s reassuring to know it’s there-ready to help when it counts the most.
As with any rollout, performance may vary by device, but the direction is clear: smart tech isn’t just getting smarter-it’s getting more human, too.