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Google Pixel Watch owners can breathe a sigh of relief after scary warning

A strange warning may have scared some Pixel Watch owners.

By Polina Kovalakova

Published: Aug 19, 2026, 3:19 AM

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Google Pixel Watch worn on a person's wrist.

You don't have to look for an upgrade just yet. | Image by PhoneArena

If you're still clinging to your first-gen Google Pixel Watch, you might have recently spotted an alarming message on your wrist. And while the warning might have made it sound like Google's oldest smartwatch was finally on its way out, there's apparently no reason to panic just yet.

Pixel Watch shows a weird message

Some Pixel Watch owners apparently saw this message on their smartwatch. | Image by matteventu

Some users have taken to Reddit to voice their concerns, sharing screenshots of a strange message that suddenly appeared on their Pixel Watches. The message indicated that their smartwatch was about to lose support for Google Health sync, suggesting the company may be moving toward retiring its first-gen smartwatch released in 2022.

Several users chimed in under the original thread, suggesting that the issue may have been more widespread than an isolated incident. Widespread enough, apparently, to catch Google's attention and prompt an investigation into what was going on.

As alarming as the message might have been, it ultimately turned out to be nothing more than a bug. Google has reportedly confirmed that the original Pixel Watch is still supported and that the erroneous warning has since been fixed. 90-120 words

How often do you upgrade your smartwatch?

9 Votes

Each year

Once every 2-3 years

44.44%

Once mine stops working

11.11%

Once mine stops receiving software and security updates

22.22%

Whenever there's a new model I really want

22.22%

The competition isn't flawless, though

This isn't the first time we've reported on a Pixel-related bug after a Reddit thread started gaining traction. But that doesn't mean Google is the only company that occasionally manages to annoy its fans with unexpected bugs and glitches.

In fact, as I see it, it's not the end of the world when Google accidentally displays an erroneous support warning on a smartwatch that's four years old. Actually, some just-released Samsung competitors don't appear to be functioning flawlessly for everyone.

Even just-released models aren't immune to bugs. | Image by Kawaii_M4A1-S

One Redditor in particular explained their Galaxy Watch Ultra 2's Samsung Pay app may be plagued by a strange issue. And this model, in case you were wondering, just debuted less than a month ago.

Safe for now

For those who are still rocking the original Pixel Watch, it seems that you won't have to think of a replacement any time soon. That said, the Google Health app requires Wear OS 4 or later, so you might want to make sure your first-gen Pixel Watch is already running that software.

Not sure which Wear OS version your Pixel Watch is running?

Head to Settings on your Pixel Watch
Tap System
Select About
Go to System updates

When is the right time to upgrade?

Well, at least it still looks like a modern smartwatch! | Image by PhoneArena

Ultimately, most of us have probably dealt with one smartwatch bug or another over the years. But does one such incident really warrant an upgrade? I'm no longer convinced.

I mean, sure, it's nice to get the latest features, but if your current wearable is still working just fine, why not stick with it for a little longer? After all, newer doesn't necessarily mean bug-free, right?

And in case you want more Google Pixel stories before you go:

Google launched the Pixel Watch 5, your new health guardian
Explore our Pixel Watch 4 review for more insights into the Google wearable experience

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Polina Kovalakova, a News and Affiliate Content Writer, has nurtured a passion for mobile technology since the era before smartphones. With a history of exploring a variety of devices, her insights into the mobile world are both broad and nuanced. Polina's non-partisan view extends to appreciating nearly every smartphone brand, a reflection of her open-minded approach to technology. Polina is equally passionate about uncovering the best online deals, tirelessly working to ensure her readers snag top-tier tech at unbeatable prices.

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