Pixel Watch owners, the moment many of you have been waiting for is here. Google is pushing out a significant April 2025 software update to all generations of its smartwatch – the original Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and the latest Pixel Watch 3. This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a critical release that tackles frustrating issues and brings overdue features to more wrists. If you’ve been grappling with inaccurate step counts or felt left behind on older software, pay attention.
For weeks, a shadow loomed over the step-tracking feature, a core function for many users relying on their Pixel Watch for fitness. Following the March update, some users noticed their watches reporting step counts that seemed, well, impossibly high. Walking across the living room could add dozens of phantom steps. This wasn’t just a minor annoyance; it eroded trust in the very health metrics the watch promises to deliver. Imagine hitting your daily step goal hours before you normally would, questioning every number your watch shows you. That frustration was real for many.
Google confirms this issue was tied to an updated step count algorithm introduced in a previous release. In a move that shows they are listening, Google has now rolled back this change with the new April update. Your Pixel Watch should now return to using the original, more reliable algorithm for counting steps. This change aims to restore confidence in your daily activity data, making your watch a trustworthy fitness companion again. It’s a straightforward fix, but one that makes a world of difference for daily use. You rely on your watch to accurately reflect your activity, and this update works to ensure it does just that.
Beyond the step count correction, this April 2025 update, identified by the build number BP1A.250305.019.W8, serves a crucial purpose for a segment of Pixel Watch users who were still on the November 2024 software build. Due to a staggered rollout and some prior issues, not everyone received the significant Wear OS 5.1 update that began rolling out in March. This left some users missing out on performance improvements and newer capabilities.
With this latest release, Google is closing that gap. The April update delivers the Wear OS 5.1 experience to all supported Pixel Watch models, including those that skipped the March rollout. This means a smoother operating system experience for those previously stuck, with under-the-hood enhancements based on Android 15. While Wear OS 5.1 might not look dramatically different on the surface, it lays important groundwork for future features and generally makes the watch feel more responsive.
The update also bundles in other important bug fixes. Users reported issues with delayed notifications, sometimes missing alerts on their wrist entirely. There were also instances where people struggled to modify or add watch faces from the Pixel Watch mobile app. Google’s release notes indicate these frustrating glitches are addressed in the April release. Getting timely notifications on your watch is essential, and having full control over personalizing your watch face is a basic expectation. Fixing these makes the daily interaction with your Pixel Watch much smoother.
It’s worth noting that while this update brings functional improvements and addresses specific bugs, the security patch level remains March 5, 2025. Google typically addresses security vulnerabilities on a separate schedule, and the primary focus of this April release is stability and feature parity.
For owners of the Pixel Watch 3 in the United States, the Wear OS 5.1 inclusion in this broader rollout also means the Loss of Pulse Detection feature is now available. Previously limited to certain European regions, this potentially life-saving feature can detect if your heart suddenly stops beating and automatically alert emergency services. It is a powerful addition to the watch’s health and safety capabilities, offering an extra layer of peace of mind. While part of the Wear OS 5.1 package, its wider availability is a notable point for US users receiving the update.
The update is rolling out in phases, which means it might not appear on your watch immediately. This phased approach is standard practice for software rollouts, allowing Google to monitor for any unforeseen issues before a wider release. You will receive a notification directly on your Pixel Watch when the update is ready to install. If you are eager to check if it’s available for your device, you can manually prompt the watch to look. Open the Settings on your Pixel Watch, go to System, then System updates. Tapping repeatedly on the “Your watch is up to date” screen can sometimes trigger the update check and initiate the download if it’s available for your watch. Ensure your watch has sufficient charge and is connected to Wi-Fi for a smoother update process. Disabling Bluetooth temporarily can sometimes help force the download over Wi-Fi.
This April 2025 update demonstrates Google’s commitment to refining the Pixel Watch experience. By quickly addressing the step count problem and ensuring more users are on the latest Wear OS 5.1 build with key bug fixes, Google is working to build a more reliable and consistent platform. While the wait for some fixes can feel long, releases like this show the platform is evolving based on user feedback and the need for a stable, functional wearable. Getting your step count right and ensuring core features work as expected are fundamental, and this update delivers on those fronts.
