Google releases Wear OS 5 update for Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2

The Google Pixel Watch, also known as the Pixel Watch 1, and Pixel Watch 2 wearables are receiving a September 2024 update with Wear OS 5. The company announced that a phased global rollout has begun, advising users that they can expected the software to arrive over the next week.

This Pixel Watch update is said to bring various features, improvements and bug fixes for the watches. Based on the Developer Preview, launched in May, these should include battery life enhancements. For example, the marathon running activity has been altered so it requires 20% less battery. Plus, the latest Watch Face Format is more efficient, as well as offering new features like weather and progress on goals even when completed. The update should also bring new running metrics like ground contact time and vertical oscillation.

In its release notes, Google mentions that separate app updates, available via the Google Play store, will bring further features such as a grid-view app launcher, enhanced camera controls and the Pixel Recorder app, which converts audio to text that can be shared, edited and searched. The Pixel Watch will get version AW2A.240903.005.A2, and the Pixel Watch 2 will receive version AW2A.240903.005.A1. These updates are being pushed to smartwatches over-the-air, triggering a notification when available. These are not the first models to use Wear OS 5 - they join the Pixel Watch 3, Samsung Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.