Owners of the Pixel Watch are reporting an unexpected problem with their devices, which is a sudden decrease in battery life after installing the June 2024 security update. This issue appears to be impacting both the original and newer versions of the Pixel Watch.
The June update, which includes new features such as car crash detection and a Google Home favorites widget, seems to have introduced a hidden bug that is affecting the battery life of Pixel Watches. Reports from Reddit and other online forums indicate that some users are experiencing rapid battery drain, even after starting with a high charge.
The issue is not limited to exercise, as some users are finding their watches completely drained overnight, despite having a decent charge before going to bed.
Although the exact reason for the battery drain is not known, it appears to be related to the update mentioned earlier. Some users have found a temporary solution by turning off the new car crash detection feature, which uses sensors in the watch to identify sudden impacts and changes in movement that could happen during a car accident.
Turning off this feature may extend battery life, but it also means losing out on a potentially life-saving function.
If you have not yet updated your Pixel Watch to the June version, it may be best to hold off until the issue is resolved. If you are already experiencing battery issues, try restarting the watch multiple times or turning off car crash detection. If the problem persists, you may have to wait for the next security patch to potentially address the bug.
Another possibility is to reset your device to its factory settings. However, keep in mind that this will erase all data and settings on the watch, returning it to its original state.
This process can be time-consuming as you will need to reconfigure all settings and reinstall apps. Resetting the watch should be considered a last resort option after other troubleshooting steps have been attempted, as it is a more extreme measure.
Even though dealing with the battery drain problem can be frustrating, it is crucial to keep in mind that software updates can sometimes bring unforeseen glitches.
Moreover, not every user seems to be affected by this issue, as I have not encountered it on my first-generation Pixel Watch. However, experiences may vary. It is hoped that Google will quickly resolve this problem in a forthcoming update, returning the Pixel Watch to its normal battery performance.
