Google's articles put updates on a short list. Keep the Pixel Watch app updated on your phone through Google Play, Manage apps and device, updates available, because the watch and phone must stay in step. On the watch, check Settings, System, System updates, and make sure the watch is on Wi-Fi with Bluetooth to the phone as Google's connection article describes. Setup and pairing troubles that look like update failures are handled the same way: fully charge the watch, update the Pixel Watch firmware, the Pixel Watch app and the phone's firmware,
keep Bluetooth on with the phone within 0.5 m, and turn location and Wi-Fi on. If an update stalls, restart the watch (crown 3 seconds, Restart) and retry; if it still fails, hard reset with the crown and side button for about 35 seconds, and factory reset only as a last resort. Google's guide to upgrading a watch or phone without losing data covers moving between devices. If the watch's apps will not update, it must be connected to the internet for app data to update.
Differential
Likely causes of “Google Pixel Watch software update will not install”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The Pixel Watch app is outdated
What separates it Features stop working after a phone update because the Pixel Watch app is outdated
How to confirm Update the app in Google Play, and try again
- 2
The watch has no internet
What separates it The app data does not update because the watch has no internet
How to confirm Connect to Wi-Fi or use LTE, and try again
- 3
Low battery
What separates it The update will not start because of low battery
How to confirm Charge the watch fully first, and try again
- 4
A stalled update
What separates it The progress does not move because of a stalled update
How to confirm Restart the watch and retry, after it comes back on
- 5
A corrupted state
What separates it The update fails repeatedly because of a corrupted state
How to confirm Hard reset, then factory reset as a last resort
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The model number and current firmware version
- The exact error and how long the update ran
- The battery level and the network the watch used
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCharge the watch
ReversibleCharge the watch, by fully charging it and keeping it on Wi-Fi during the update.
Update the app
ReversibleUpdate the app, by updating the Pixel Watch app in Google Play on the phone.
Check system updates
ReversibleCheck system updates, by opening Settings, System, System updates on the watch, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Hard reset
ReversibleHard reset, by holding the crown and the side button for about 35 seconds, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Back up
ReversibleBack up, and back up your data before any factory reset of the watch, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Contact Google
ReversibleContact Google, and if it still fails, contact Google support with the model number, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Updates by model
- Google's articles cover firmware updates for the Pixel Watch, 2, 3, 4 and 5 the same way, through the Pixel Watch app and the watch's system update setting.
- Storage
- Google's specifications list 32 GB or 64 GB of eMMC storage depending on the model, which apps and updates share.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Pixel Watch 2.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If updates fail after a hard reset and factory reset, contact Google support
- !If apps only will not update, check the watch's internet connection
- !If you are moving to a new phone, use the upgrade guide
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Update firmware, app and phone, then restart and reset.
Connection checks and Wi-Fi limits.
Updating apps on the watch.
Moving to a new device.
The Pixel Watch line and its generations.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why will my Pixel Watch not update?+
Usually no internet, low battery or an outdated Pixel Watch app.
Where is the update setting?+
Settings, System, System updates on the watch.
Do I need to update the phone app?+
Yes, Google says keep the Pixel Watch app updated on the phone.
Do app updates need internet?+
Yes, the watch must be connected to the internet for app data to update.
Where do I check for a watch update?+
Settings, System, System updates on the watch, with the watch on Wi-Fi and connected to the phone.
What if only setup fails?+
Update the watch firmware, the Pixel Watch app and the phone, keep the phone within 0.5 m and turn location and Wi-Fi on, as Google lists.
Can I upgrade phones without losing data?+
Yes, Google has an upgrade guide.