Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Google confirmed on April 8, 2025, that its April Pixel Watch update was a corrective patch for owners who had installed March’s firmware. Build BP1A.250305.019.W7 addressed delayed notifications and problems adding or changing watch faces through the Pixel Watch phone app. It was not immediately offered to every owner: the first rollout targeted watches already on March build BP1A.250305.019.W3, while people who had skipped March were told to expect a separate update.
Which Pixel Watches were included?
The April build covered the first-generation Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3, including Wi-Fi and LTE versions. For the targeted devices, it replaced March firmware BP1A.250305.019.W3 with BP1A.250305.019.W7. Google’s update information and the contemporaneous confirmation were reported on Google’s Pixel Watch community forum and summarized by Droid Life.
What did the April patch fix?
- Delayed notifications: Some users had been receiving watch notifications late after the March update.
- Watch-face management: Some users could not add or modify watch faces through the Pixel Watch mobile app.
These are the two documented fixes, not proof that every complaint associated with March’s Wear OS 5.1 release was resolved. The published changelog does not establish fixes for battery drain, charging, connectivity, tracking accuracy, general performance or unrelated notification problems. Google’s stated scope was narrower: these specific notification and app-based watch-face issues.
Why might the update not have appeared?
The rollout depended on the software already installed on the watch. The key cases at the time were:
#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]
- On March build W3: The April W7 patch was the relevant update.
- Skipped March: Google indicated that a separate package would follow in the coming weeks, so these watches were not immediately eligible for the same W7 update.
- Still on November firmware: No update was available for that cohort on April 8, 2025.
Rollouts can also be staged, so eligible watches may not all show an update at once. A missing prompt did not by itself mean that a watch was unsupported or malfunctioning. These details describe the April 2025 rollout, not an update still being distributed today.
How to check for the update
- Swipe down from the top of the watch face.
- Tap Settings, then scroll to System.
- Tap System updates and check the displayed build or update prompt.
If the screen says the watch is up to date, Droid Life reported an unofficial workaround: repeatedly tap near the watch icon or upper part of the update screen for roughly 30–60 seconds. This may reveal an update already staged for a device, but it is not a Google-documented procedure and cannot bypass eligibility or make Google publish a package for a different build.
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]
Before installing, have the watch sufficiently charged or connected to its charger; the cited guidance recommends about 60% battery or a charger available. Keep the watch connected to its paired phone and Wi-Fi where possible, and do not interrupt installation. If an eligible update still will not appear, allow for staged rollout timing and verify the installed build before treating it as a fault. The tapping workaround and battery guidance are described in Droid Life’s Pixel Watch update-check instructions.
Was it only a bug-fix release?
Bug correction was the confirmed central purpose. Separately, Droid Life reported that some Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 owners paired with a Pixel 9 phone also received Scam Detection functionality. Treat that as an additional reported behavior, not as one of Google’s two stated fixes or a feature guaranteed for every watch-and-phone combination. See the initial April update report for that qualification.
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]
Why was an April patch unusual?
At the time, Google appeared to be moving Pixel Watch software toward a quarterly schedule, with the next regular update reportedly expected in June. The April release was an unscheduled corrective update in response to the March problems, rather than evidence that Google had permanently abandoned a quarterly cadence.
Quick Recap
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]
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
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.
