Some Pixel Watch & Watch 2 users report excessive battery drain issue persists with February update

The Google Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 are facing a growing storm of user complaints regarding an excessive battery drain issue plaguing their devices. Reports started surfacing after the January update (1,2,3,4), and despite picking up a new February update a few weeks ago, some users (1,2,3) remain frustrated with the persistent issue.

The affected users paint a concerning picture. Previously, the Pixel Watch 2 boasted a commendable two-day battery life. Now, however, even minimal usage sees the watch struggle to reach the eight-hour mark, falling woefully short of expectations. The story is similar with the original Pixel Watch, and the lack of a discernible pattern adds to the frustration. While some users suspect the issue worsens after using GPS during exercise, others report equally rapid drain without any strenuous activity.

Driven to drastic measures, some users have resorted to disabling most smart functions such as Wi-Fi, fitness tracking, and Google Assistant, essentially turning their high-tech watch into a glorified timepiece. This defeats the very purpose of owning a smartwatch and highlights the severity of the battery drain problem on the Pixel Watch and Watch 2. But for an easier and more feasible workaround, some say simply restarting the watch occasionally — or at least after using GPS — does the trick.

The persistence of the battery drain problem across multiple software updates has sparked concern among Pixel Watch users, many of whom rely on their devices for various tasks throughout the day. The issue was first reported in January and has since persisted even after the most recent February 2024 update. Understandably, some have expressed frustration at the lack of a definitive solution from Google despite the release of software updates that should address such a pressing issue.

While Google has yet to officially acknowledge the battery drain problem affecting some Pixel Watch and Watch 2 devices, affected users can check out our article on tips to extend the watch’s battery life.

With user reports continuing to surface, it remains to be seen how Google will respond. The least users expect for now is an acknowledgment of the problem, but eventually we hope Google rolls out a definitive fix for this annoying battery drain issue.