Google is continuing to refine the experience on its Pixel Watch lineup. After bringing Wear OS 6 and the new Material 3 Expressive design to older models, one key feature was still missing — always-on display (AOD) support for media controls. Now, it looks like that’s finally on the way.
Always-On Media Controls Coming Soon
According to a new report, Google has confirmed that the AOD media controls update will arrive later this year as part of the next quarterly Pixel Watch update. This means users will soon be able to see playback information and manage controls directly from the always-on screen, without needing to wake the watch.
If the schedule holds, the feature could roll out as early as December 2025.
Which Watches Will Get It?
The update is expected to land on the Pixel Watch 4, Watch 3, and Watch 2. While Google hasn’t given a model-specific breakdown, the expectation is that older Pixel Watch generations will also get the feature. That said, some reports suggest that older models may see a slight delay, with their rollout possibly pushed to early 2026.
