Google Weather App Fails on Older Wear OS Watches: Users Await Fix

Google Weather Outage Hits Older Wear OS Watches

For many owners of the original Pixel Watch and older Samsung Galaxy Watch models, a simple glance at the wrist to check the weather now yields nothing but frustration. The Google Weather app—once a staple for quick weather updates on Wear OS smartwatches—has been crippled by a persistent bug that leaves the app stuck on endless loading screens and error messages. Instead of showing the day’s temperature or the UV index, users are greeted by a “Loading…” indicator, quickly followed by a “Can’t download weather data” error.

Widespread Impact Beyond Just the App

This issue isn’t isolated to the main Google Weather app itself. According to Android Central, weather-related tiles such as Forecast, Sun, and UV Index are also failing to load, displaying a “Couldn’t retrieve your location” message. Attempts to refresh the app—by tapping “Retry”—lead only to a loop of disappointment. The bug is affecting more than just a handful of devices: smartwatches running Wear OS 3.5, including the original Pixel Watch and certain Galaxy Watch models, are all experiencing the outage. It’s a striking setback for users who rely on their wearables for timely weather information, especially as unpredictable conditions become more frequent.

Root Cause: Software Updates and Legacy Support

The trouble seems to stem from Google’s recent push toward newer software platforms. In September, Google announced the discontinuation of the Weather app for devices running Wear OS 6, encouraging users to switch to manufacturer-specific solutions like Pixel Weather, which is available on newer Pixel Watch models (2, 3, and 4). However, Google had publicly committed to maintaining support for the legacy Weather app for those who already had it installed on older hardware.

That promise, as it turns out, has hit a roadblock. The prevailing theory among users—echoed in Reddit threads and confirmed by Android Central—is that a recent update meant for Wear OS 6 inadvertently broke compatibility with older firmware versions. Devices like the original Pixel Watch, which still operate on outdated software, are left unable to communicate effectively with the app. The result: an entire cohort of users suddenly finds themselves without access to basic weather data.

Google’s Response and the Road Ahead

Google hasn’t left users entirely in the dark. In a customer support transcript shared on Reddit, a Google representative acknowledged the issue as a known problem specific to first-generation Pixel Watch hardware. The company says its development team is actively working on a firmware update to resolve the outage. Unfortunately, there’s no clear timeline for when this fix will be rolled out. For many, the lack of reliable weather data on their wrists is more than a minor inconvenience—it’s a daily frustration, especially given the unpredictable nature of weather in recent years.

The lack of a quick resolution highlights a broader challenge faced by tech companies: balancing innovation with continued support for legacy devices. As platforms evolve and new features are introduced, older hardware often gets left behind, creating a digital divide even among loyal customers. For those affected, the wait for a fix is a test of patience—and a reminder of how dependent we’ve become on seemingly simple technologies for everyday tasks.

What’s Next for Users?

Until Google delivers a solution, owners of affected devices are left with limited options. Some may turn to third-party weather apps, though these alternatives often lack the seamless integration and convenience of Google’s own solution. Others might simply forego weather updates on their watches altogether, relying instead on their smartphones or other devices. But for many, the outage serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of relying on a single platform for essential information.

Meanwhile, the broader Wear OS community watches closely for updates. Will Google’s promised firmware fix arrive in days, weeks, or months? And what does this episode signal about the future of support for older smartwatches? For now, users are left to wait—and hope—that their wrist-based weather updates will soon be restored.

Google’s handling of the Weather app outage on older Wear OS watches underscores the challenges of software maintenance in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. As users await a fix, the incident highlights the importance of transparent communication and robust legacy support from major technology providers.