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Yes, some Pixel Watch owners have continued to lose SpO₂ readings months after reports of a March 2026 update problem—but that does not mean every watch has a broken sensor. Missing readings can result from Fitbit permissions, sleep or fit conditions, syncing, regional availability, a Google service issue, or a hardware fault. Start by checking the watch’s Fitbit permissions and overnight requirements; if readings remain absent after several properly tracked nights, document the failure and ask Google for a warranty evaluation.
What Pixel Watch SpO₂ tracking is supposed to do
On Pixel Watch series devices, SpO₂ tracking is included automatically; Google says there is no separate SpO₂ app or clock face to install. It is an overnight estimate, not a conventional on-demand pulse-oximeter reading. Google’s Fitbit help page says a session needs at least three hours of quality sleep, and a reading may take about an hour to appear after the watch syncs.
- The watch needs adequate battery for the sleep session, a snug fit with the sensor touching skin, and relatively little movement.
- A loose band, tattoos over the sensor area, or interrupted sleep may affect collection.
- Readings depend on syncing with the Fitbit app, and availability varies by region.
- Tracking does not create readings retroactively for nights before the feature was active.
So a blank result after one night—or immediately after waking—is not enough to establish sensor failure. First confirm that the feature is available where you use the watch, then test under the conditions above.
Why some owners are still missing readings
Reports in early March 2026 said SpO₂ and skin-temperature data disappeared for some Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4 owners after a watch update. A March 9 report and posts in the Google Pixel Watch Community described disabled Fitbit permissions as one possible cause. Some users said restoring access helped; others reported intermittent or continuing failures. These reports point to a software or Fitbit-integration problem for some users, but they do not establish one cause for every affected watch or how many devices are involved.
#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 problem did not end with the initial reports. User reports continued in April and May, including cases where permissions were restored but readings remained unreliable. Google’s Health Status Dashboard also records an SpO₂ and skin-temperature incident affecting some Wear OS devices on July 15, 2026, lasting about six hours and 40 minutes. That confirms a service-side incident on that date; it does not explain every longer-running complaint.
The feature depends on several links working together: watch permissions and software, Fitbit’s app and synchronization, Google’s services, and the optical sensor itself. A simultaneous loss of skin-temperature data makes a permissions, software, or service problem more plausible than an isolated SpO₂ component failure, but it is not proof. Community reports document user experiences, not a confirmed root cause for every case.
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]
Try these checks before resetting the watch
Work from the least disruptive checks to the more involved ones. Menu names can vary by watch model and Wear OS version.
- Confirm availability and accounts. Check that SpO₂ is supported in your country, that you have a Pixel Watch series device, and that the watch and phone use the intended Google/Fitbit account. Google says to update the watch firmware if SpO₂ is missing.
- Restore Fitbit permissions on the watch. Open Settings → Apps or Apps & notifications → Fitbit → Permissions. Under Fitness and wellness, allow Oxygen saturation and, if listed, Skin temperature. Restart the watch afterward. This permission check is based on community reports, not a guarantee of a fix.
- Run a proper overnight test. Clean the sensor area, wear the watch snugly but not tightly with the sensor against skin, and ensure the battery can last through the night. Allow at least three hours of quality sleep; minimize a loose fit or conditions that cause substantial movement.
- Sync and wait. In the morning, open Fitbit or Google Health and perform a normal sync. Check the health metrics dashboard and allow up to about an hour after syncing for the value to appear.
- Update and restart. Install available watch firmware and phone-app updates from the Play Store, restart the watch, and reopen the phone app if syncing is stuck. Recheck Fitbit permissions after an update. No particular app version is established as a universal fix.
- Check for a wider incident. Look at the Google Health Status Dashboard and recent Pixel Watch Community reports. Note whether sleep data, skin temperature, or other Fitbit metrics disappeared at the same time.
- Contact Google before a factory reset if the fault has lasted weeks. This is especially sensible if permissions keep turning off, the failure began after an update, or the watch may still be under warranty. A reset erases settings and local data, requires re-pairing, and is not a verified universal fix; some users reported improvement, while others said the issue returned.
How to judge whether it is software or hardware
| What you see | What it may indicate | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No SpO₂ after one night | Collection delay, too little quality sleep, movement, low battery, or fit | Test for several nights using the documented sleep and fit conditions. |
| SpO₂ and skin temperature both vanish after an update | Possible permission reset or Fitbit software/service regression | Check both permissions, restart, update, and check Google’s service status. |
| Permission is missing or disabled | Possible update-related permission reset | Restore access, restart, and test overnight; escalate if it keeps reverting. |
| Data appears in the phone app but not on the watch | Possible display or synchronization problem | Force a normal sync and check the app’s health dashboard. |
| All health metrics fail | Possible broader account, pairing, app, or service problem | Check status, update and sync, then contact Google if the failure continues. |
| Only SpO₂ is absent for months while other sensors work | Persistent software problem or possible optical sensor fault | Request Google troubleshooting and a warranty evaluation rather than repeating basic fixes indefinitely. |
| The feature is unavailable in your region | Regional restriction | Do not treat the missing feature alone as proof of hardware failure. |
A replacement watch producing readings with the same phone and account is strong evidence against the original watch, although Google must assess the device to confirm a defect. If other sensors also fail, tell support; that pattern is useful context but does not by itself identify the cause.
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]
When to ask Google for warranty evaluation
Escalate when SpO₂ never worked despite correct regional availability, permissions, fit, battery, and syncing; when it has stayed absent across multiple updates and several suitable nights; or when permissions are present but the watch still records nothing. It is also reasonable to seek evaluation if other sensor functions fail or Google’s troubleshooting steps do not restore tracking.
Before contacting support, save:
- Watch model and size, software and Fitbit app versions, purchase date, seller, and country of purchase and current use.
- The date readings stopped and screenshots of missing data and current permission settings.
- Whether skin temperature, sleep tracking, and other health metrics still work, plus the steps already tried.
Google’s Pixel Watch warranty guidance says a defective watch may qualify for repair, replacement, or refund at Google’s discretion, depending on country and warranty terms. The process may require the watch’s IMEI or serial number and proof of purchase. Eligibility and available remedies vary, so ask Google to assess the specific device rather than assuming a replacement is automatic.
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
Do not use watch SpO₂ data to make medical decisions
Google describes Pixel Watch SpO₂ as a general-wellness feature, not a medical measurement for diagnosis or treatment. Missing data is a device-function issue, not evidence of a health problem. If you have concerning symptoms or a medically significant oxygen concern, use clinically appropriate care and consult a health professional rather than relying on this watch.
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]
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