Galaxy Watch 8 owners who upgraded to a Pixel 10 can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The maddening pairing glitch that left the two devices unable to talk to each other appears to be resolved thanks to a Google Play Services update, as 9to5Google reports and an increasing number of users confirm.
It took a while, but the fix is in
Reunited and it feels so good
Since launch, reports flooded Reddit, Samsung’s forums, and Google’s own support pages about the Watch 8 and Watch Ultra failing to complete setup on Pixel 10 models, often stalling around 80% to 85% or refusing to display a pairing code altogether. Even when pairing succeeded, users reported extreme battery drain and “ghost” connections that forced the watch to rely on Wi-Fi or cellular. For many, the only way to get the watch functional again was to roll it back to an older Pixel or factory reset repeatedly — not exactly the premium experience you expect from two $400+ devices.
Google acknowledged the issue in late August, saying it was “looking into the pairing failures,” but offered no immediate workaround. Some users resorted to bizarre fixes — toggling airplane mode, holding active phone calls during setup, or manually pairing through Bluetooth settings — with mixed results.
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Google Pixel 10
- SoC
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Google Tensor G5
- RAM
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12GB
- Storage
-
128GB / 256GB
- Battery
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4970mAh
- Operating System
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Android 16
- Front camera
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10.5 MP Dual PD selfie camera
This striking-looking addition to the Pixel line offers a slew of Gemini features, an 5x telephoto lens, and seven years of updates, making this a smartphone that will last you a while.
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Google Pixel 10 Pro
- SoC
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Google Tensor G5
- RAM
-
16GB
- Storage
-
128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB with Zoned UFS / 1 TB with Zoned UFS
- Battery
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4870mAh
- Operating System
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Android 16
- Front camera
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42 MP Dual PD selfie camera
Google’s latest Pro Pixel packs a faster yet efficient Tensor G5 chip, an upgraded ISP, and a brighter display. Plus, an array of new AI features that make it one of the best Android phones to launch in 2025.
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Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
- SoC
-
Google Tensor G5
- RAM
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16GB
- Storage
-
256 GB / 512 GB / 1TB with Zoned UFS / 1 TB with Zoned UFS
- Battery
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5200mAh
- Operating System
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Android 16
- Front camera
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42 MP Dual PD selfie camera
The Pixel 10 Pro XL packs all the same features you’ll find on its less expensive siblings, along with a few exclusive features like a 6.8-inch display and faster charging.
This week’s rollout of a new Google Play Services update seems to have finally turned the tide. Users across forums are reporting successful first-try pairings after applying the update, though many note they still had to factory reset their watches and reinstall the Galaxy Wearable app to complete setup. Multiple testers and everyday users have so far confirmed the Galaxy Watch 8 and Pixel 10 families can now connect without drama and stay that way after multiple reboots. That’s a first since launch day.
If you’re still having trouble, check for Play system updates under Settings > Security & privacy > System & updates. You may still need to reset your watch one last time to clear out the broken pairing data.
It’s frustrating that this fix took nearly two weeks to land, but at least Pixel 10 owners can finally wear their expensive wrist computers again — and not just as very stylish, traditionally dumb watches.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
- Case size
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40mm/44mm
- Colors
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Graphite/Silver
- Display
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1.3-inch/1.5-inch Super AMOLED
- CPU
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Exynos W1000
- RAM
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2GB
- Storage
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32GB
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 includes new health and wellness features along with AI-enhanced features and more intuitive customization options.Â
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
- Case Material
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Stainless steel
- Case size
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46mm
- Colors
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Black, White
- Display
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1.34″ Super AMOLED
- CPU
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Exynos W1000
- RAM
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2 GB
The Samsung Watch 8 Classic packs lots of new features along with the rotating bezel missing from the Watch 6 series.
