Wear OS 5 Released For All Google Pixel Watches

Google just rolled out the highly-anticipated Wear OS 5 software update for the OG Pixel Watch and Watch 2 devices. The Pixel Watch 3 came with the latest Wear OS 5 out of the box. It is about time the original Pixel Watch received the same treatment.

Wear OS 5 rollout begins today, with a phased deployment worldwide over the coming weeks based on carrier and device specifications. Users can expect to receive a notification on their watches once the over-the-air (OTA) update becomes available, urging them to embrace the latest in wearable technology.

During the I/O 2024 keynote event, Google unveiled thrilling upgrades for wearable devices, including a refreshed Wear OS 5 software upgrade based on Android 14. It’s a big leap from Android 11 to 13 and now to Android 14.

However, Google is enforcing Watch Face Format for new Wear OS 5. So some watchfaces may not work, which previously worked on Wear OS 4 or earlier. Developers need to adapt to the new Watch Face Format, designed in collaboration with Samsung.

You may also want to download latest Google Pixel Camera 9.5 on your Pixel phones for and Wear OS for improved camera controls.

Wear OS 5 Full Changelog and Feature List

Starting today, the September 2024 software update is being released featuring Wear OS 5 upgrade. The rollout will unfold gradually over the next few weeks, tailored to specific carriers and devices.

Users can anticipate a notification on their watches as soon as the over-the-air (OTA) update becomes available for their device. We strongly recommend updating to ensure you have the latest software enhancements.

Details of the September 2023 security patches can be found here and the Android Security Bulletin here.

Software versions

• Google Pixel Watch 1: AW2A.240903.005.A2
• Google Pixel Watch 2: AW2A.240903.005.A1

What’s New

The September 2024 software update includes an upgrade to WearOS 5, including new features, numerous bug fixes, and performance updates for Pixel Watch users.

Additionally, app updates via the Play store will be available for Pixel Watch 1 and Pixel Watch 2 to obtain the grid-view app launcher, improved Camera controls and the Pixel Recorder functionality.

Key Features of Wear OS 5

• Grid-Based App Launcher: A new app launcher has been introduced, allowing users to switch between a grid view and the traditional list view. This design makes navigation easier, especially for users with many installed apps.
• Battery Efficiency: Wear OS 5 includes optimizations that significantly reduce battery consumption, particularly during long workouts. Users can expect up to 20% less battery usage while tracking activities like marathons.
• Enhanced Watch Face Format: The updated Watch Face Format (version 2) supports new complication types and preset configurations, allowing for richer customization options. Notable additions include goal progress indicators and weather conditions.
• Improved Health Metrics: The update enhances health tracking capabilities, providing more detailed metrics such as ground contact time, stride length, and vertical oscillation for runners. These metrics help users monitor their performance more effectively.
• Media Output Control: Users can now choose which device should play media directly from their smartwatch, improving usability when connected to multiple audio devices.
• Improved camera controls (with Google Camera app update)
• New Pixel Recorder app for Wear OS

Thanks to Google News channel, we have Wear OS 5 bug fixes list, performance improvements and new features such as:

• A new Privacy dashboard under Settings > Apps & Notifications, which offers users a centralized view of how each app accesses data like location and microphone.
• New Watch Face Format, which adds preset configurations called Flavors, weather conditions, a heart rate system data source, and two new types of complications: Goal progress and Weighted Elements (Useful for displaying discrete subsets of data).
• Option to enable grid app menu.
• Ability to select a media output device directly from the watch.
• Apps will be able to detect when a user takes a screenshot (part of Android 14).

You also get more detailed running metrics with the Health Services update:

• Ground contact time: The amount of time, during a single step, that a runner’s foot is in contact with the ground.
• Stride length: The distance covered by a single step.
• Vertical oscillation: The distance that a user’s center of mass moves up and down with each step.
• Vertical ratio: Vertical oscillation divided by stride length.
• Debounced goal: improves the user experience for people who want to maintain a specific threshold or range—such as heart rate—throughout their workout.

How to update your Pixel Watch?

• Disconnect your watch from your phone. (It is better to download the update directly on your smartwatch)
• Connect your Pixel Watch to WiFi network.
• On your watch, go to Settings > System Update > Check for update.
• Download and install the Pixel Watch update.
• Enjoy your latest update.

Force update Pixel Watch

• Go to the system update screen on your watch
• Find the little watch icon on the update screen.
• Keep tapping it until it forces the OTA update download notification.

Thanks to Steff_5 and GadgetusMaximus for the screenshots