Following weeks of user frustration and uncertainty, Google is finally releasing a stable Wear OS 5.1 April 2025 update to all Pixel Watch models.
This brings an end to a bug-plagued chapter that started with the disastrous March 2025 update and ended in a silent fix that never made it to most users—until now.
March 2025 Pixel Watch Update Pulled Due to Major Bugs
Pixel Watch Users Finally Get Stable Wear OS 5.1 Update
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The problem started in early March of 2025 when Google first rolled out the Wear OS 5.1 update to its Pixel Watch series. According to Android Police, the update was later rolled back within a fortnight, as suddenly as it had appeared. Its users had experienced several bugs, with one noticeably impacting the precision of step tracking, a feature of significant importance for fitness fanatics.
To resolve these grievances, Google released a bug-fixing patch early in April, but this patch was narrowly focused. It only ended up on the users who had previously installed the faulty March update. Those still running the stable November 2024 build remained stuck—until now.
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New April 2025 Firmware Rolling Out to All Pixel Watch Users
The April 2025 update is now being released broadly to users who never even installed the March update. More unexpectedly, even those who already installed the April patch (build W7) will receive an updated build (build W8), intended to fix step tracking inconsistencies for good.
The top highlight of this update is reverting to the original step-counting algorithm. Google had asserted its new algorithm, implemented in March, would provide improved tracking precision. However, users immediately reported inflated step counts, forcing the company to switch back to the tested and proven older algorithm.
Although Google has not entirely eliminated the possibility of bringing the enhanced step-counting algorithm back into the picture someday, it is evident that user feedback has made this decision happen.
What’s New in the April 2025 Wear OS 5.1 Update?
Those that remain on the November 2024 firmware will see several under-the-hood enhancements from the Android 15-based Wear OS 5.1 platform. While there aren’t a lot of visual or significant UI differences, the update provides more seamless performance, reliability, and a smoother system experience.
Interestingly, the firmware nonetheless carries the March 2025 Android security patch, despite its rollout in late April. Although this might appear strange, it aligns with Google’s phased rollouts.
How to Manually Install the Update
The update can be manually triggered for download by the following method:
A Much-Needed Course Correction for Pixel Watch
This steady roll-out of Wear OS 5.1 ought to bring relief to Pixel Watch users who’ve been held back since November 2024. With the bug in step counting fixed and an improved OS included, Google is making a clear statement about its commitment to providing a consistent and trustworthy wearable experience.
Whether or not future updates restore a reworked step count algorithm is yet to be seen, but for the time being, Pixel Watch owners at least have a stable, functional update that optimizes their hardware.
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