Pixel Watch Users Upset by New Touch Lock Functionality in WearOS 5.1 Update.
If you own a Pixel Watch, you may have noticed some changes to the Touch Lock feature following the WearOS 5.1 update. Previously, enabling Touch Lock would disable the touchscreen while still allowing users to navigate notifications or Quick Settings using the rotating crown.
However, with the new update, Touch Lock now deactivates both the touchscreen and the crown, frustrating many users. According to a report from *9to5Google*, this change means that if you want to interact with your watch while Touch Lock is enabled, you will have to turn it off completely.
This can be done by long-pressing the rotating crown for two seconds, which now leads to difficulties in accessing notifications or checking battery status without first disabling the feature. The reaction to this update has been largely negative, with users voicing their frustrations online.
A Reddit user described the situation as “ridiculous,” prompting numerous others to express their support for this sentiment, with some even suggesting they may switch to a future model, like the Pixel Watch 3. The intent behind this change remains unclear.
While the Reddit user reported that Google Support indicated it was an intended behavior, Google has yet to make an official statement or update the Touch Lock description. If this alteration turns out to be a bug, it’s possible that a fix will come with the next Pixel Watch update, which is expected in June.
Until then, users will have to adjust to the new functionality of the Touch Lock feature.
