Google Updates Original Pixel Watch with New Modem
▼ Summary
– Google is releasing a March 2026 software update for the original 2022 Pixel Watch, focused solely on bug fixes for E911 emergency dialing.
– The update does not change the core OS, as the watch remains on Wear OS 5.1 based on Android 15.
– The original Pixel Watch will not receive Wear OS 6 or later, having completed its three-year update guarantee, but will still get Play Store app updates.
– As of the report, the update was not yet available for manual download, and the March 2026 update for LTE models of newer Pixel Watches was also pending.
– The update rollout will occur gradually over several weeks, and users can check for it in their device’s System updates settings.
Google has begun distributing a new modem update for the first-generation Pixel Watch, which originally launched in 2022. This release follows the last major software update from October and focuses specifically on enhancing a critical safety feature. The patch is designated as an “additional March 2026 software update” and its sole purpose is to implement “bug fixes to improve E911 Emergency dialing behavior.” For owners of the original watch, this targeted update underscores Google’s ongoing commitment to device security and core functionality, even beyond major platform upgrades.
The underlying operating system remains unchanged. The build number moves to BW1A.260305.003 from the previous BW1A.251005.003.W1, but it is still based on Wear OS 5.1 and Android 15. It is important to note that the original Pixel Watch has now exceeded its promised three-year update period. Consequently, it will not receive the upgrade to Wear OS 6 or any later major platform versions. However, the device will continue to benefit from application updates delivered directly through the Google Play Store, ensuring access to the latest features from third-party developers.
As of this week, the over-the-air (OTA) update is being released in stages. It is not yet listed on Google’s official factory images website for users who prefer a manual installation. This phased rollout is standard practice, with availability expanding over the coming weeks depending on the user’s carrier and specific device. To check for the update, watch owners should navigate to Settings > System > System updates on their device.
In related news, Google has not yet released the corresponding March 2026 update for the LTE variants of the more recent Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Watch 4 models. This indicates that the current update is a specific maintenance release for the original hardware. While the first Pixel Watch has reached the end of its platform update roadmap, these continued support patches for essential services like emergency calling help maintain the device’s reliability and safety for existing users.
(Source: 9to5Google)