Google has initiated a new wave of updates for its wearable enthusiasts, pushing out Wear OS 6 to both Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 from October 8, 2025. This update brings important features of Android 16 and the Material 3 design language to older Pixel Watches, giving them a freshened experience without necessarily requiring an immediate upgrade. The update comes just before the Pixel Watch 4 officially launches, demonstrating that Google is doubling down on software support while the next-gen version hits stores.
The upgrade, labeled BP3A.250905.014.W3, is rolling out to all models of the Pixel Watch 2 and 3—both Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and LTE variants. Noteably, Google’s official release commentary only references the 2nd and 3rd generation devices; the original 2022 Pixel Watch is not yet directly mentioned. Yet as that initial watch is actually supported through October of 2025, most anticipate it getting Wear OS 6 in the near future.
Among the most prominent of the changes is embracing Material 3 Expressive, Google’s renewed design language developed with dynamic colors, rounded corners, and curved shapes tailored for round screens. The UI refresh affects almost all aspects of the wearable interface—notifying settings, quick settings, tiles, and apps like Alarm, Timer, and Stopwatch—infusing a more cohesive and streamlined visual coherence.
To more closely align a user’s selected watch face, the update adds dynamic theming—UI components like icons and menus change in color to complement the watch face. Google also adds an “edge-hugging” UI function for smoother scrolling that utilizes the curved edges of the display more organically. Under the cover, tweaks focus on improved performance and efficiency. Google asserts the update could extend battery life by as much as 10 per cent over Wear OS 5.
Other enhancements include text legibility improvements, improved touch responsiveness, and system dialogs fine-tuned to eliminate visual clutter. Besides, the update also includes the recent security patches and stability fixes, which take care of known vulnerabilities in connectivity modules such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Google has also introduced useful enhancements, such as automatically launching Google Maps on the watch for navigation, and the Safety Check timer feature being extended.
User reports confirm the update is rolling out in several regions, such as the U.S., the U.K., and Europe. Users in some areas are manually triggering the update when the OTA prompt has yet to arrive. A favorite trick: open Settings → System → About, and continue pressing the tiny watch icon, which can force-check for any updates. The installation and download process normally takes 10 minutes, and the device needs more than 50 per cent charge on the battery (or be plugged into a charger) in order to install. However, while there is excitement, some users have complained of immediate battery drain after upgrading, but this seems to stabilize after a couple of days as the system adjusts. Others have shared experiences of installing the new OS on Watch 2 and Watch 3, with some employing the tap-trick to force it. One such user on Reddit said:
“Have it on my pixel watch 2 too … just got it after performing old tap trick, cheers.”
The timing of this release is especially interesting. Google is releasing Wear OS 6 for older devices just ahead of the launch of the Pixel Watch 4 (October 9, 2025). The Pixel Watch 4 will come pre-installed with Wear OS 6, and this simultaneous rollout indicates Google’s plans to close the software gap between its wearable legacy.
This move is being viewed as a consumer-friendly move—showing that investing in older-generation hardware still allows one to have access to newer-generation features and UI improvements. This type of long-term support is different from some competing platforms that reserve major OS updates for newer models.
All the same, the first-generation Pixel Watch remains in limbo. Google’s support documentation makes it sound like “eligible Pixel Watch devices” will be receiving Wear OS 6 in the weeks ahead. So far, that term has only been used to describe the Watch 2 and 3. Most users anticipate that the first-generation model will have the upgrade shortly—especially since its official support window extends at least until October 2025.
With this deployment, Wear OS 6 is now available across the Pixel smartwatch lineup—from Watch 2 to Watch 3, and shortly Watch 1—making the move to Watch 4 smoother. The update will keep users coming from older releases from feeling too out of place in the new experience, while giving current users a new interface along with enhanced longevity.
Smartwatch manufacturers are on the hook to provide software value over hardware alone, and Google’s approach in this regard may be able to solidify its users’ trust. If the initial Pixel Watch does get the update within the next few weeks, that wraps up on software consistency on Google’s wearables at least for those who remained within the official support window.
