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Google Is Reportedly Adding Always On Display Media Controls to Pixel Watch 4

Google Is Reportedly Adding Always-On Display Media Controls to Pixel Watch 4

The always-on display (AOD) media controls feature could be part of the next Pixel Watch update.

Written by Akash Dutta, Edited by Ketan Pratap | Updated: 11 October 2025 14:32 IST

Google Is Reportedly Adding Always-On Display Media Controls to Pixel Watch 4

Photo Credit: Android

The AOD media controls could come to the Google Pixel Watch 4, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Watch 2

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Highlights

New media controls in the Pixel Watch are said to arrive in December
It is said to be a Wear OS 6 feature
Recently, Wear OS 6 update was rolled out to older Pixel Watch models

Google rolled out the Wear OS 6 update to older Pixel Watch models earlier this week, bringing the Material 3 Expressive design language to them. The new operating system first arrived on the Google Pixel Watch 4 when it launched in August. However, it did miss out on a few features, with the most notable being the always-on display (AOD) functionality for media controls. As per a report, this feature could be rolled out later this year, as part of the next quarterly Pixel Watch update.

AOD Media Controls Reportedly Coming to Pixel Watch 4, 3, and 2

While the Google Pixel Watch 4, Watch 3, and Watch 2 all have the Wear OS 6 update available, all of the features previewed by the Mountain View-based tech giant in May are currently not available. According to a 9to5Google report, the company has now confirmed that the Media Controls update is being targeted “later this year for Pixel Watch.”

The report claims that since Google just mentioned “Pixel Watch,” instead of specifying the current generation, it is likely that the AOD media controls could be available on older wearables as well. However, the confirmation for the same has not come from the tech giant so far.

Wear OS 6 Is Finally Rolling Out to These Older Pixel Watch Models

Another thing that remains speculative is the release timeline of the feature. The publication claims that since it will be part of the next quarterly Pixel Watch update, it could arrive in December. However, whether it will be rolled out to older Pixel Watch devices in the same month or not is not clear. Worst case scenario, it can take it early 2026 before older models get it as well.

Back in May, Google said that it would offer a consistent AOD experience with Wear OS 6, where “the previous top activity remains visible and in the 'resumed' state when the device enters system ambient mode.” The company also gave an example of the media controls and highlighted that the current song and media controls will remain visible even when the user is not interacting with the device.

Google Pixel Watch 4

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display Size 41mm

Compatible OS P

Dial Shape Round

Ideal For Unisex

More Google Smartwatches

Google Pixel Watch 3

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display Size 41mm

Dial Shape Round

Ideal For Unisex

More Google Smartwatches

Google Pixel Watch 2

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Dial Shape Round

Display Type AMOLED

Ideal For Unisex

More Google Smartwatches

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Further reading: Google Pixel Watch 4, Google Pixel Watch 3, Google Pixel Watch 2, Google, Google Pixel Watch, Wear OS 6

Akash Dutta Email Akash Dutta

Akash Dutta is a Chief Sub Editor at Gadgets 360. He is particularly interested in the social impact of technological developments and loves reading about emerging fields such as AI, metaverse, and fediverse. In his free time, he can be seen supporting his favourite football club - Chelsea, watching movies and anime, and sharing passionate opinions on food. More