How to check your heart rate with your Pixel phone

You can now use your Pixel phone to check your heart rate and respiration rate without using a third-party app or fitness device.

Until now, if Android users wanted to check their heart rate or breathing without a smartwatch or fitness wearable, they had to go to the Google Play Store and grab a few apps. While some of these apps are free to use, it’s hard to judge their accuracy – which is obviously extremely important when you’re checking your cardiovascular health. A wellness app cannot help you stay healthy if it gives you bad data. In any case, the new Pixel functions seem to be very reliable; Google says the heart rate monitor is accurate to within 2%, according to its tests

The new heart rate and respiration monitors are rolling out today for “supported” Pixel devices, but they are also planned for non-Pixel Android devices in the future. Google’s announcement didn’t mention specific devices, but it likely includes all phones in the Pixel 3, 3a, 4, 4a, and 5 series.

The new vitality tests are displayed in the Google Fit app. Both features use your device’s cameras to monitor your vital signs. Your rear camera measures color changes in your finger to calculate your heart rate, while the front camera uses facial recognition to count how many breaths you take. You can also save your results after each test if you want to track your vital signs over time.

Check your heart rate

1. Open Google Fit.
2. Select “Check your heart rate.”
3. Crane “The next” to scroll through the on-screen instructions.
4. Allow the Mobile Vitals app to take photos and videos.
5. Place your finger on the rear-facing camera when prompted.
6. Wait while the app takes its measurements. You will see the progress bar fill up on the screen.
7. When the test is complete, you will see your heart rate. Crane “Save” to save the results to Google Fit, or “X” Close.

Check your breathing rate

1. Select “Check your breathing rate” in the Google Fit app.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your camera correctly. You must put the phone upright so that it remains completely still during the test.
3. Allow the app to record video when prompted
4. Use the guides to make sure your face and chest are in view, then keep still.
5. The app will measure your breaths as the progress bar fills up.
6. You will see your results once the test is over. Crane “Save” to save the results to Google Fit, or “X” Close.

Keep in mind that these monitors are for occasional testing. You still need a smartwatch or fitness band if you want constant readings.