Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Yes, Google released the Pixel Watch’s August 2024 update. The twist is that some watches continued to display a July security-patch date even after installing the August software build.
This was a security-only release for supported first-generation Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 devices running Wear OS 4—not the Wear OS 5 upgrade many owners were expecting.
The August update at a glance
| Detail | What Google released |
|---|---|
| Announcement | August 5, 2024 |
| Devices named by Google | Pixel Watch 1 and Pixel Watch 2 running Wear OS 4 |
| Global build | TWD9.240805.001.A2 |
| Update type | Security update |
| Availability | Phased rollout over roughly a week, depending on carrier and device |
Google described the release as containing the latest security patches and directed users to the Pixel Watch Security Bulletin for technical details about the fixes. Its August 5 announcement did not present a major feature list or describe the update as a Wear OS upgrade.
The twist: the build said August, while the watch could say July
Some owners reported that their watch still showed a July patch date after the August update was installed. That created two misleading impressions: that the update had not arrived, or that the installation had failed.
#1 Best Overall
- The new Google Pixel Watch 5 offers a smarter way to a healthier you.[1,2]; Designed for Gemini Intelligence, get proactive help, and personalized insights from Google Health[3,4]; watch is compatible with Android devices only; not compatible with iOS devices
- Precision-crafted to do it all: The Google Pixel Watch 5 features the domed Actua 360 display with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass and up to 40 hours of battery life[1,5]
- Metrics that matter: Advanced sensors help you stay ahead of your health and wellness; and Google Pixel’s most accurate heart rate tracking is fine-tuned for your activity[6,7]
- Understand your sleep like never before: Your watch captures insights like the time spent in sleep stages to breathing regularity, then summarizes it all in a personalized Sleep Score[8,9]
- Detects loss of pulse, then calls for help: Pixel Watch 5 is the only smartwatch to feature Loss of Pulse Detection, which can prompt a call to emergency services[10]
The more useful diagnostic was the software build. The number 240805 corresponds to the August 5 build, and the full global build listed for this release was TWD9.240805.001.A2. In other words, a watch displaying “July” was not necessarily still running the July software.
This appears to have been a patch-date labeling mismatch reported by users. Google’s announcement does not establish that the company formally acknowledged a display bug, so the July label should not be described as an officially confirmed error. User reports about the mismatch can be found in the Google Pixel Watch community.
How to check whether your watch received it
- Open Settings on the watch.
- Go to System.
- Open System updates, or the available update screen.
- If that screen still shows July, check System → About → Versions for the software build.
- Look for
TWD9.240805.001.A2.
Menu labels can vary by Wear OS version, watch interface and localization, and not every screen exposes the full build number in exactly the same place. If the August build is present, the stale-looking month alone is not proof that the update failed.
Rank #2
- The new Google Pixel Watch 5 offers a smarter way to a healthier you.[1,2]; Designed for Gemini Intelligence, get proactive help, and personalized insights from Google Health[3,4]; watch is compatible with Android devices only; not compatible with iOS devices
- Precision-crafted to do it all: The Google Pixel Watch 5 features the domed Actua 360 display with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass and up to 40 hours of battery life[1,5]
- Metrics that matter: Advanced sensors help you stay ahead of your health and wellness; and Google Pixel’s most accurate heart rate tracking is fine-tuned for your activity[6,7]
- Understand your sleep like never before: Your watch captures insights like the time spent in sleep stages to breathing regularity, then summarizes it all in a personalized Sleep Score[8,9]
- Detects loss of pulse, then calls for help: Pixel Watch 5 is the only smartwatch to feature Loss of Pulse Detection, which can prompt a call to emergency services[10]
If the August build is not present
- Remember that Google used a staged rollout; two otherwise identical watches could receive it at different times.
- Keep the watch charged and connected to Wi-Fi or its paired phone.
- Restart the watch and check again.
- Do not assume that repeatedly checking will force an update that has not yet reached your device.
- Contact Google Pixel Watch support if the build remains absent after the stated rollout window.
No, this was not Wear OS 5
The August 2024 release was a security patch for watches running Wear OS 4. It did not introduce Wear OS 5, a major interface redesign or a new health-platform announcement.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Wear OS 5 arrived later in 2024 as a separate operating-system rollout. That later update was subsequently paused after reports of Pixel Watches becoming unusable. Those reports belong to a different event and should not be merged with the August security patch.
Timeline
- August 5, 2024: Google announced the August Pixel Watch security update.
- Following week: The update rolled out in phases based on carrier and device.
- Later in 2024: Wear OS 5 began a separate rollout, which was later paused after reports of bricked or unusable watches.
Which Pixel Watches were covered?
Google’s August notice explicitly named the first-generation Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, provided they were supported devices running Wear OS 4. It listed the global build for both generations.
Rank #3
- The Google Pixel Watch 4 is a stunning display of precision craftsmanship, with Gemini, your built-in AI assistant, Google’s longest-lasting battery, and comprehensive tools for next-level health and fitness performance[1,2,3,4]
- See it all and do the most with the Actua 360 domed display; it’s 10% larger and 50% brighter than Pixel Watch 3, and as durable as ever with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass[1]
- The Google Pixel Watch 4 has Gemini built in[4]; just ask questions and your ultra capable AI assistant will deliver quick responses for personalized help; and stay connected when you’re texting with AI-powered quick replies that are hyper-relevant[5,6]
- Get up to 30 hours of battery life or up to 48 hours in Battery Saver mode[3]; plus, the new side charging dock gives you 15 hours of battery in 15 minutes or less[7]
- Train smarter with 40+ exercise modes and real-time stats on your wrist[8]; and with high-precision dual-frequency GPS, you get more accurate route tracking on runs and hikes[1]
The Pixel Watch 3 was announced in August 2024, but it should not automatically be included in this update’s eligibility list without a model-specific release note. The safest interpretation of Google’s notice is to limit this particular release to the Pixel Watch 1 and Pixel Watch 2 devices it identified.
What security fixes did it contain?
Google’s community announcement summarized the payload as the latest security patches rather than listing individual vulnerabilities. For the authoritative descriptions, affected components and severity information, consult the Pixel Watch Security Bulletin.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The build number identifies the software package installed; it is not a substitute for the bulletin when you need details about individual security fixes.
Rank #4
- Google Pixel Watch has a beautiful circular, domed design and new experience with Wear OS by Google, so it’s easy to get help at a glance
- Stay on top of activity, calories burned, and more with Fitbit activity tracking
- Track your heart rate and get insight into your sleep
- Save time with things like Google Wallet for contactless payments, turn-by-turn directions using Maps, and event notifications from Calendar
- Stay connected and productive wherever you go; respond to messages, manage your inbox, and make calls right from your wrist
Reported battery and charging problems
Community posts also mentioned battery drain, watches becoming unusually warm while charging and delayed update visibility. These are user reports, not evidence that the August update universally caused a battery regression. They should be separated from Google’s confirmed release information.
For a watch with ordinary short-term battery changes, monitor it after the update and check whether the problem persists. Persistent abnormal drain is more concerning. Excessive heat, charging failure, swelling or a watch that becomes unusable requires a more cautious response:
- Stop charging the watch.
- Let it cool.
- Do not repeatedly reconnect it to the charger to test it.
- Contact Google support.
Do not begin with a factory reset when the problem may involve unsafe charging temperatures.
Best Value
- The Google Pixel Watch 3 is designed for performance, with advanced fitness from Fitbit[1,2]; the 45mm screen is twice as bright and 40% larger than before, making it easier to see your stats and info[1]
- Maximize your performance with advanced running features; build custom run workouts and get real-time guidance and advanced form tracking[3]
- Enhance your run routine with Fitbit Premium; Google AI uses your goals, past runs, and readiness to power personalized run recommendations[3]
- Know what your body is ready for each day with readiness; it uses sleep, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability to show if you’re ready to take on a workout or prioritize recovery[3]
- Cardio load measures how hard your heart works so you can see how hard you’ve pushed; compare trends to see if you’re under- or over-training[3]
Should you upgrade?
The August patch alone is not a reason to replace a functioning Pixel Watch. If your watch has build TWD9.240805.001.A2 and is operating normally, keeping it is the sensible choice.
An upgrade makes more sense for a hardware reason: declining battery health, a larger display, cellular connectivity, newer fitness capabilities or longer-term feature support. The Pixel Watch 2 is a relevant option for first-generation owners, while the Pixel Watch 3 offers a more substantial hardware step, including a 45 mm option. Neither should be presented as a necessary response to this particular security update.
Pixel Watch health and fitness features can also be tied to Fitbit services. Fitbit Premium may suit readers who specifically want advanced fitness or readiness insights, but it is unnecessary for people who only want basic tracking and notifications. Availability and terms vary by country.
Bottom line
Google’s August 5, 2024 Pixel Watch update was real, but it was a security release—not Wear OS 5. For supported Pixel Watch 1 and Pixel Watch 2 devices, the key identifier was TWD9.240805.001.A2. If the watch still displayed July, check the build before concluding that the update was missing.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
