Google’s March update makes paying with your Pixel Watch stupidly fast

Source: Android Authority

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

TL;DR

• Google’s March Pixel Drop introduces Express Pay, letting you check out at retail terminals by simply turning your Pixel Watch toward the terminal—no need to open the Google Wallet app.
• Express Pay is rolling out exclusively to the Pixel Watch 2 and newer models.

Express Pay on Pixel Watch

Google’s latest feature rollout, part of the March Pixel Drop, adds Express Pay to Wear OS devices. With this update, you can pay by raising your wrist and tapping the terminal, eliminating the extra step of launching the Wallet app.

The feature builds on the announcement from the June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, which said Wear OS watches would receive Express Transit in Google Wallet—allowing tap‑to‑pay even when the screen is off. Express Pay brings that capability to everyday retail purchases.

How It Works

1. Ensure your Pixel Watch 2 (or newer) has the latest software update.
2. Add your payment cards to Google Wallet on the watch.
3. When you reach a contactless terminal, simply turn your wrist so the watch faces the reader and tap.
4. The transaction completes automatically—no additional authentication required unless you’ve set up extra security measures.

Security

Google emphasizes that Express Pay does not compromise security. It isn’t an open NFC system; the watch only transmits payment data to verified terminals, and the information remains encrypted and tokenized within Google Wallet.

Device Compatibility

• Supported: Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch 3, and any future Wear OS devices that receive the update.
• Not supported: The original Pixel Watch (unless a future update adds compatibility).

If you’re still using the first‑generation Pixel Watch, you may want to consider upgrading to take advantage of Express Pay and other upcoming Wear OS enhancements.