Wear OS 6 Arrives on Pixel Watch 2 and 3
▼ Summary
– Google is rolling out Wear OS 6 to the Pixel Watch 2 and 3, but not the original Pixel Watch, ahead of the Pixel Watch 4’s release.
– The update includes the Material 3 Expressive redesign with Dynamic Color theming and redesigned Alarm, Stopwatch, and Timer apps.
– Users can initiate the download by repeatedly tapping the update screen and disabling Bluetooth to speed up the process via Wi-Fi.
– The Pixel Watch 4 requires a special debug adapter for flashing OTA images, similar to the original Watch, due to its new Quick Charge Dock.
– This Wear OS 6 update does not include the new watch faces introduced with the Pixel Watch 4.
Ahead of the Pixel Watch 4’s official launch, Google has initiated the rollout of Wear OS 6 to its preceding models, the Pixel Watch 2 and 3. This new software, identified as build BP3A.250905.014.W3, is founded on the Wear OS 6 platform and Android 16. The update is being delivered to all variants of these devices, encompassing both the standard Bluetooth/Wi-Fi editions and the cellular LTE models.
Owners of the original Pixel Watch from 2022 will not find an update available for their device at this moment. However, Google’s software support commitment for the first-generation model extends until at least October 2025, strongly indicating that it will receive the Wear OS 6 upgrade in a future release. The official release notes for this current deployment, however, exclusively list the Pixel Watch 2 and 3 as eligible recipients.
This software release follows the previous update distributed in June. Google has established a pattern of providing quarterly Wear OS updates for the Pixel Watch lineup, making this a scheduled release.
To manually check for and install the update, navigate to Settings > System > System updates on your watch. If the screen indicates your software is current, repeatedly tapping this message can sometimes trigger the download to begin. For a potentially faster download, you can enter the Connectivity preferences and temporarily disable Bluetooth, which will force the watch to use a Wi-Fi connection for the update process.
The full OTA update images for this release are available for direct download.
In related news, Google has also published the factory and OTA images for the soon-to-be-released Pixel Watch 4, internally known by the codename “menari.” A notable point for developers is that flashing OTA images onto the Pixel Watch 4 necessitates a special debug adapter, which Google provides on an invitation-only basis, a practice reminiscent of the original Pixel Watch.
The Wear OS 6 update introduces the comprehensive Material 3 Expressive visual overhaul. This includes a refreshed lock screen keypad, redesigned Quick Settings toggles, and modernized notifications. A prominent new feature is Dynamic Color, which allows the system’s color scheme to automatically adapt based on the colors present in your active watch face. This dynamic theming extends across notifications, Tiles, and various first-party applications.
Several core applications have also been revamped with this release. The Alarm, Stopwatch, and Timer apps now sport a new design that aligns with the updated iconography found throughout the system.
After successfully installing the OTA update, it is a good practice to open the Google Play Store on your watch. This will allow you to download additional updates for key applications such as Wear Media and the Pixel Weather app.
It is important to note that this Wear OS 6 update does not include the new watch faces that were introduced alongside the Pixel Watch 4.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
