Galaxy Watch 8 Battery Problem Gets Worse, No Update Yet

Since early April, many Samsung watch users have been facing a massive battery drain issue caused by Google Play Services, especially on the Galaxy Watch 8 series and Watch Ultra. Users are reporting extremely frustrating battery drain, with some devices lasting only a few hours. Now, in May, users are still waiting for a fix, with no direct response from Samsung. Furthermore, in a strange turn of events, Samsung has not delivered any firmware updates, not even the April 2026 security patch, for Galaxy watches, including the newest models.

Galaxy Watch 8 Battery Drain Problem

Users on Samsung Community forums and Reddit threads report that Google Play Services on their smartwatches is consuming more than 25% of the battery alone. Some users shared screenshots showing a claim that Google’s services drain over 40% of the battery, resulting in only a few hours of use instead of the usual two days of battery life.

Many Users Affected by Google Play Services Error

The issue first appeared after recent Google Play Services updates in early April. Many users have complained about this before, and Galaxy Updates has also covered it in a previous article. Still, Samsung has yet to acknowledge the battery drain issue on the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch Ultra. Additionally, Galaxy smartwatches are still waiting for new software updates with a Google Play Services fix since the March 2026 security patch. None of the smartwatches has received the April patch, which raises further questions.

Samsung Skipped April Update for Galaxy Watch 8

Meanwhile, flagship Galaxy phones like the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S26 are receiving multiple updates in a single month, while Samsung appears to have neglected its flagship Galaxy watches despite serious battery issues. Users can expect a confirmed fix from Samsung or Google in the next May firmware update.

When Will Samsung Fix This Battery Issue?

Samsung has yet to comment on this issue. Until then, users should try temporary fixes on their Galaxy watches. It is advisable to wipe the cache on the devices and restart them. While this may not completely resolve the battery issue, some users have reported slight improvements. To fully fix the problem, users will need to wait for the next firmware update that includes a Google Play Services fix.