Everything you need to know about the upcoming software update.
It’s now been a couple of months since Google used its annual I/O conference to pull back the curtain on Wear OS 6, the next iteration of its smartwatch operating system.
As ever, the update promises a host of refinements aimed at enhancing user experience, battery life, and developer capabilities. So, if you’re wondering what this means for your current or future Android smartwatch, you’re in the right place.
This is your go-to source for everything you need to know about Wear OS 6—covering its rollout schedule, key new features, and which devices are expected to get the update.
Is Wear OS 6 available to download?
After initially announcing that Wear OS 6’s availability for ‘later this year’, the software officially debuted with the official release of the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 on 29 July.
However, technically, this is Samsung’s latest One UI Watch skin. Wear OS 6 in its standard form is unlikely to arrive until the rumored Google Pixel Watch 4 is released, which is expected soon after a potential announcement on 20 August.
From there, we can expect a phased rollout starting in the fall and continuing into the new year for devices such as the OnePlus Watch 3.
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Seven key upgrades coming in Wear OS 6
Credit: Google
As is custom with Google’s annual smartwatch software refresh, Wear OS 6 isn’t a dramatic overhaul. However, there are several notable improvements and new tools available for both users and developers, and it’s certainly more substantial than last year’s update from a design perspective.
1. Improved battery life
Optimizations within the system are expected to provide up to a 10% increase in battery life compared to Wear OS 5.
2. ‘Material 3 Expressive‘ brings theming
A refreshed visual and motion design system will bring more personalization options, updated color schemes, typography, and shapes, providing developers with enhanced design capabilities.
Apps and tiles will be able to match their colors with the active watch face for a more cohesive look—though this one will only be available on Google’s watches initially.
3. Refined always-on display
Enhancements to the always-on display experience are on the way and could prove crucial for quick glances at information. In the update, the top activity remains visible and in the ‘resumed’ state when the device enters system ambient mode.
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4. Enhanced Tiles
The swipeable widgets on Wear OS will now align with the system font by default and benefit from new components, including a 3-slot layout for better visual consistency.
5. Smoother navigation and menus
New UI elements will allow developers to create more fluid list navigation and scrolling.
6. Better media controls
Improved controls for podcasts, including fast-forward, rewind, playlist access, shuffle, like, and repeat functions.
7. Watch faces are back
Third-party watch faces are becoming usable again, as platforms like Facer now support ‘Watch Face Push’ and can sync instantly, eliminating the need to download a separate app for each face.
Wear OS 6 update tracker: Confirmed and expected
(Image credit: Wareable)
Google’s Wear OS 6 announcement included the fact that the Developer Preview is available for Google Pixel Watch devices running Wear OS 5.1.
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While the full official list of devices confirmed to receive Wear OS 6 is yet to be released by Google or individual manufacturers, here’s what we can anticipate based on current information and typical update cycles.
The latest update we got in this regard was from Samsung. While announcing that the Galaxy Watch Ultra would receive its One UI Watch 8/Wear OS 6 update, the brand snuck into the fine print that it will also be “progressively rolled out” to previous Galaxy Watch models.
Confirmed to support Wear OS 6:
Google Pixel Watch 1-3 (given they can all run the Wear OS 6 preview)
Google Pixel Watch 4 (expected later this year)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2024 and 2025 editions)
Likely to support Wear OS 6 but still unconfirmed:
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4-7 series
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
OnePlus Watch 3 series
Unlikely to support Wear OS 6:
Xiaomi Watch 2 series
Mobvoi TicWatch 5 series