Pixel Watch Wear OS 5 update resumes after September setback
After a two-month hiatus, Google has resumed the rollout of Wear OS 5 for Pixel Watch 1 and 2 users, bundled with the November 2024 update that applies to all Pixel Watch models, including the Pixel Watch 3.
This phased approach means that users will begin receiving update notifications over the coming week, with this release intended to address issues that had previously halted the rollout. The update also brings performance and security improvements, as well as some new functionality.
To remind, the initial rollout of Wear OS 5 in September had been abruptly suspended after some users reported that their devices became unresponsive or even “bricked” during the update process. Many of them, including the author of this article, encountered blank screens, leaving watches unusable until a factory reset was performed. Given these issues, Google chose to investigate and re-engineer the software to iron out the bugs.
This new update includes the resumed Wear OS 5 features for Pixel Watch 1 and 2, along with security patches. Play Store updates for improved camera controls, and Pixel Recorder are also available.
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In the Pixel Watch community, users have been actively sharing tips to initiate the update early. One popular workaround involves navigating to Settings > System > System Update and repeatedly tapping the update icon. That sometimes works but it does require multiple attempts. The other option is to simply wait until the new software reaches your region.
The next planned update for Pixel Watch devices is scheduled for March 2025. So no more updates till then. This means that the November release will need to be reliable. Fingers crossed Google has really squashed all the bugs. So far there have been no reports of the update bricking devices.
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