Wear OS 5 is coming to older Pixel Watches – here's everything included in Google's patch

Starting today, Google is rolling out a huge patch to the first Pixel Watch and the Pixel Watch 2 via an OTA (over the air) update. Not only will these devices gain Wear OS 5, but they’re also getting a new app and “numerous bug fixes.”

The patch notes we received didn’t list every addition, but we have enough info to paint a solid picture. Wear OS 5, for example, introduces a grid-based app launcher similar to the software layout seen on some third-party smartwatches. 

Also: 5 reasons why I’m glad I upgraded to the Pixel Watch 3

Many users prefer a grid as it reduces the amount of scrolling required to find an app. However, if you prefer the list-based launcher, Google says you can revert to the old style through the system settings.

Health Services, as part of Wear OS 5, now “supports additional data types related to running.” This includes Ground Contact Time —  the total time a person’s foot is in contact with the ground — and Stride Length, which refers to the “distance covered by a single step.”

As for the extra app, Google is bringing over Recorder from the Pixel Watch 3. Recorder stands out from similar software by having an AI-powered transcription feature. Whenever an audio recording is completed, the tool automatically creates a text summary.

Lastly, a company representative told us, the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 are going to receive the same improved Camera controls as seen on the Pixel Watch 3. 

At the time of this writing, we don’t know what the bug fixes will entail. However, a post listing all the repairs will be added eventually to the Pixel Watch Security Bulletins page.

Also: One of the best Android smartwatches I’ve tested made me consider switching to the Pixel

The patch, according to Google, is going to be released in waves “over the next week”. Its availability depends on your carrier and device. You’ll receive a notification once the update is available for installation.

To download a system update, go to the System Updates section in the Pixel Watch’s Settings menu. The device then begins to check for available patches; if it finds any, the wearable installs the software. Your smartwatch will restart immediately once the process is done.

More detailed instructions on how to download a system update can be found on Google’s support website.