Google confirms Wear OS 4 availability for Pixel Watch but with missing Pixel Watch 2 features

Google has confirmed its intentions to update the Pixel Watch to Wear OS 4, which is already shipping in the Galaxy Watch6 series and the TicWatch Pro 5. However, the Pixel Watch 2 will be the first opportunity to experience true stock Wear OS; the TicWatch Pro 5 misses out on native Google Assistant support. Unfortunately, Google's commitment to delivering OS updates to its devices does not extend to the Pixel Watch.

Instead, the original Pixel Watch will be left waiting for Wear OS 4 until 'later this year'. In other words, the OS update could be up to two months away from reaching the Pixel Watch. Either way, Google's first smartwatch is well behind the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch5 series, which started receiving Wear OS 4 in August. Please see our Wear OS 4 launch article for more changes that Google has made to the Wear OS platform from Wear OS 3.

Currently, it remains to be seen whether the original Pixel Watch will support all the software features that Google has brought to the Pixel Watch 2 through Wear OS 4. However, a recent Google support document for Watch App 2.0 (2.0.0.567628986) implies that this will not be the case, including DND and Bedtime Mode mirroring. For reference, version 2.0 of the Pixel Watch app makes the following changes from 1.4.x builds:

• Support for Pixel Watch 2
• Support for Wear 4 features and updates, which include:
• Back-up with Google One
• Restore during watch setup from the available back-ups
• Ability to transfer Watch to a new Phone without factory reset
• Factory reset protection during watch setup
• Redesigned experience for the Pixel Watch app
• New settings and education under "Safety & emergency" section *✝
• DND (Do Not Disturb) and BTM (Bedtime Mode) mode mirroring for Pixel Watch 2 users under the "Notifications" setting for Pixel phone users *
• Bug fixes to improve the quality of the app

Device Applicability

• Fixes are available for all supported Pixel Watches devices.
• *Certain features are available only for Pixel phone and / or Pixel Watch 2 users.
• ✝  Not available on Pixel Watch 2 (Wi-Fi). Safety Signal requires location enabled and, in cases of emergency, provides Fitbit Premium subscribers without a 4G LTE watch line with access to a 4G LTE network for use of safety features only. When your watch is not connected to your phone, Safety Signal does not support Wi-Fi calling.

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