LTE Pixel Watch 3 and 2 get Wear OS 5.1 update

After rolling out to a third of available devices two weeks ago, the Wear OS 5.1 update is now available for the LTE Pixel Watch 3 and 2, as well as the original Pixel Watch.

Google posted the new builds for sideloading this afternoon, but we’re not seeing the on-watch OTA just yet. (Repeatedly tapping does not work.)

Before today, Wear OS 5.1 was limited to the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Pixel Watch 2 and 3. The Android 15-based update is now available on the LTE models, as well as the original generation. 

• Pixel Watch 1: BP1A.250305.019.W2
• Pixel Watch 2 & 3: BP1A.250305.019.W3

This staggered rollout was quite strange, but presumably due to carrier certification, while the original Pixel Watch is using an older chip.

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Wear OS 5.1 adds Credential Manager support for logging in with passwords, passkeys, and federated identity (like Sign In with Google) in applications. Apps can also add support for media playback through the watch speaker.

Google has updated the accent color from yellow to gray in some places, while you’ll now find a consolidated Settings > Modes menu. There’s also a Force Global AOD Experience developer option to skip the blurred clock on wrist down. 

Other features are rolling out via app updates, like Loss of Pulse Detection in the US (Personal Safety) and Menstrual Tracking (Fitbit) on the Pixel Watch 3. Auto Bedtime Mode comes to the Pixel Watch 2, while all devices get improved strep tracking when jogging with a stroller or pushing a shopping cart. In YouTube Music, the podcast now playing screen will let you “fast forward and rewind, adjust playback speed or control playback queue.”