Google started the Wear OS 5 update for the Google Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 on September 24, 2024. Soon after, users began voicing their frustrations on Reddit and other platforms, stating that the update made their watch nearly useless due to it freezing on a black screen.
Factory Reset Required
Those affected have to perform a factory reset on their Pixel Watch, which unfortunately results in the loss of all data saved on the device. This means users will need to reinstall apps and reconfigure their watch faces. In a recent support article, Google acknowledged the issue and mentioned that they are actively seeking a fix. To limit the number of users impacted by this problem, the deployment of Wear OS 5 was halted on September 26.
Future Update Plans
The plan is to resume the rollout of Wear OS 5 for the Pixel Watch later this year, but Google has not provided a specific date yet. It remains uncertain if this delay will also affect updates for those who have already upgraded to Wear OS 5, including the October security patch. Wear OS 5 brings several new features that were previously seen in the Pixel Watch 3, such as a grid view for choosing apps, an audio recorder app, a privacy dashboard, enhanced running tracking, and improved battery endurance.
Google's efforts to address these issues are ongoing, and users are advised to keep an eye on updates for any further information.
