Yes—this is a real reported software problem, but it does not necessarily mean your Pixel Watch’s sensors have failed. After the March 2026 Pixel Watch update, some owners found that overnight blood-oxygen (SpO2) and skin-temperature readings stopped appearing in Fitbit. Reports involve Pixel Watch 4 most often, along with Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3.
Before factory-resetting the watch, check its Fitbit or Google Health permissions, restart both devices, and allow one complete night for a fresh reading. The evidence points more strongly to a permissions, app, or data-sync failure than to confirmed physical sensor damage.
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What happened to Pixel Watch health readings?
Reports began after the March 2026 Pixel Watch update. Users described missing overnight SpO2 and skin-temperature data in Fitbit, sometimes with one metric returning while the other remained absent. Related reports also mentioned inaccurate step counts and other Fitbit statistics, suggesting that the incident may involve the broader health-data software pipeline rather than one universally failed sensor.
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#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]
See the original reporting from 9to5Google and Android Authority.
Which Pixel Watch models are affected?
Owners of all three recent generations have reported the problem:
- Pixel Watch 4
- Pixel Watch 3
- Pixel Watch 2
That does not mean every unit, region, or software build is affected. The reports are user-submitted and inconsistent: some users recovered both metrics after changing permissions or restarting, while others recovered only SpO2 or only skin temperature. Model and software-version reports are collected in the Google Pixel Watch Community thread.
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How to tell whether you have the bug
SpO2 and skin temperature are primarily overnight metrics. The watch generally needs a suitable sleep session before the data can appear, so an empty result immediately after changing a setting does not prove that the sensor is dead.
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]
A likely software or sync problem is more plausible when:
- Both metrics disappeared immediately after an update.
- Previously available overnight history stopped appearing.
- Fitbit shows no data even though the watch is otherwise recording sleep or activity.
- The relevant sensor permissions are disabled or missing.
- One health metric works while another does not.
First rule out ordinary “no data” conditions. The watch may not have been worn long enough, may have been too loose, or may not have completed a usable sleep session. The sensor area should remain in contact with clean skin. The app may also be waiting to synchronize.
Feature availability varies by country and device eligibility. Environmental temperature changes can affect skin-temperature tracking as well. Google’s health-feature materials state that these metrics are not available in all countries and include important usage limitations; consult the Google/Fitbit comparison guide.
Try these fixes in order
1. Check permissions on the watch
This is the most useful first check because Google Pixel Watch Community guidance and user reports identified permissions as a failure mode after the update.
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- 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]
- Open Settings on the Pixel Watch.
- Open Apps or Apps & notifications.
- Choose App info.
- Select Fitbit. On newer software, the relevant health app may be labeled Google Health.
- Open Permissions.
- Allow the available permissions related to Fitness & wellness, oxygen saturation or SpO2, and skin temperature.
- If an access choice is offered, select All the time rather than While using the app.
- Restart the watch.
Menu names vary by generation and software version. Some users reported that oxygen and temperature controls were missing entirely. If those permissions do not appear, this step may not resolve the problem.
2. Restart the watch and phone
Restart both the Pixel Watch and its paired phone after changing permissions. Then open Fitbit or Google Health, allow synchronization to finish, and check the next day after a complete overnight session.
3. Check the phone-side apps
- Update Fitbit or Google Health and verify that the watch is running current available software.
- Force-close and reopen the health app.
- Check the app’s permissions on the phone and re-enable relevant health access if it was revoked.
- Clear the app cache on the phone.
- Where available, clear Fitbit’s cache on the watch as well.
- Restart the phone again and confirm that the watch shows as synchronized.
Cache clearing was suggested by a Pixel Watch Product Expert, but reports show that it did not work for everyone.
4. Test under normal overnight conditions
Wear the watch snugly—not painfully tight—with the sensor area against clean skin. Keep it on for a full sleep session and check the app the following morning. A single missing night can result from fit, sleep duration, synchronization delay, regional availability, or a temporary app error. Repeated missing readings after permissions and restarts are more suggestive of the reported software problem.
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
Should you factory-reset the Pixel Watch?
Only as a last software step. A reset reportedly restored SpO2 and skin-temperature collection for some owners, but it did not work for everyone and is not a guaranteed repair.
A factory reset:
- Erases locally stored watch data and settings.
- Requires pairing and configuring the watch again.
- May not help if a later Fitbit, Google Health, or permissions update recreates the problem.
- Cannot recreate historical readings that were never recorded or synchronized.
Before resetting, synchronize what can be synchronized, note your watch settings, and make sure you have access to the Google account used for setup. If you do reset it, test the watch with a clean setup before restoring every optional app or setting. If the issue returns immediately, that is useful information for support—but it still does not prove that the sensor hardware is defective.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Google’s fix available?
Google said in March 2026 that it was aware of the missing readings and working on a fix. In July, Google also acknowledged a related Google Health sensor-permissions problem. However, the available reporting did not confirm a universal fix across all affected Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4 devices by August 18, 2026.
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That means the practical status is mixed: some users appear to have recovered readings through permissions changes, restarts, cache clearing, or resetting, while others continued to report missing metrics. Avoid assuming that installing the latest app or watch update will automatically restore data unless Google explicitly documents that result.
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]
What to send Google support
If readings remain absent after the non-destructive steps, contact Google Pixel Watch support. Include:
- Watch model: Pixel Watch 2, 3, or 4.
- Watch software build and Fitbit or Google Health app version.
- The date the readings stopped.
- Whether SpO2, skin temperature, or both are missing.
- Whether permissions are disabled, available, or missing from the watch menu.
- Whether sleep, activity, and other health data still synchronize.
- Screenshots of missing data or permission pages.
- Which troubleshooting steps you already tried.
Warranty service or replacement becomes more reasonable if health data remains unavailable after a clean setup and Google support has ruled out the known software and permission problems. A replacement may not help if the underlying issue is software-wide.
Do not use these readings for medical decisions
Pixel Watch SpO2 and skin-temperature readings are wellness and trend features, not a diagnosis. They should not replace a medical-grade pulse oximeter, thermometer, clinician, or emergency service. Google’s product materials warn that Health Metrics are not available everywhere and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat a medical condition.
If you are monitoring COPD, sleep apnea, an infection, or another condition, follow your clinician’s instructions and use the medical device recommended for that purpose. A missing watch reading is not proof that your health has changed—and a normal-looking watch trend is not proof that everything is medically safe.
Bottom line
The Pixel Watch SpO2 and skin-temperature issue is genuine, but it affects some users rather than every watch. Reports began after the March 2026 update and involve Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4 owners. Check Fitbit or Google Health permissions on the watch first, then restart, resynchronize, and test after a full night. Factory-reset only after those steps fail, because it is disruptive and not guaranteed to recover missing readings. Until the software status is clearer, treat the metrics as wellness trends—not medical measurements.
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