Google is fixing the Pixel Watch battery drain bug: update your watch apps now

The skim

• Google has confirmed that a bug was draining Pixel Watch batteries, and says the fix is rolling out now and should reach everyone "over the next couple of days."
• The fix comes through app updates, not a Wear OS system update. To get it, press the crown, open Play Store and tap Manage apps > Update all.
• Owners reported battery life dropping to about 12 hours on mostly idle watches across several Pixel Watch generations. Google hasn't said which app caused it.

What happened

Last week, Pixel Watch owners on Reddit and elsewhere began reporting sudden, steep battery drain. Some got less than half their usual battery life, 9to5Google reports, and Android Authority says runtimes fell to roughly 12 hours on mostly idle devices. The problem hit several generations at once, including models from the Pixel Watch 2 onward, according to 9to5Google. That pointed to software rather than worn-out batteries.

Google has now given both outlets the same statement:

"The fix for the battery drain issue, affecting a small number of Pixel Watch users has begun rolling-out and will be complete over the next couple of days. To implement the fix, please update your Pixel Watch apps by pressing the crown on your Pixel Watch, opening the Play Store app, and tapping Manage apps > Update all."

Why it matters

A smartwatch that won't last a day breaks sleep tracking and morning alarms, and it makes people wonder whether their battery is failing. The good news is that this is a software fix you can install in a minute, and you don't need to wait for a monthly system update. Google didn't name the misbehaving app or say whether a recent Wear OS update was involved. Android Authority suggests watching which apps update when you run Update all, since one of them is the culprit.

What to do now

1. Put your watch on its charger and connect it to Wi-Fi. Google's Pixel Watch help page recommends at least 50% charge for updates.
2. Press the crown and tap Play Store.
3. Tap Manage apps > Update all.
4. If nothing shows up, check again later. Google says the rollout finishes over the next couple of days.
5. While you're at it, check for a system update too: swipe down, tap Settings > System > System updates.

If your watch still won't update, Google's help page suggests restarting it by holding the crown and side button for 20 seconds. Then turn off Bluetooth, turn on Wi-Fi and check System updates again. If the battery is still dying fast after the app updates, that's worth reporting to Google support.

Sources: 9to5Google, Android Authority and Google Pixel Watch Help.