Android Wear 2.0 for Asus ZenWatch 2 [OTA Download and install]

Update: Asus ZenWatch 2 Android Wear 2.0 now available for download for both smaller 1.45 inch as well as the bigger 1.6 inch smartwatches. Download and flash OTA now. Following the stunning Asus ZenWatch 3, the Android Wear 2.0 official OTA update is rolling out for the ZenWatch 2 starting the variant WI501Q (sparrow). The OTA zip file for the other variants WI502Q (wren)ย shall be available for download later today. The firmware build number for ASUS ZenWatch2 WI501Q is NWD1.170706.001 that comes with the OTA package. Plus, the Android Wear 2.0 is sure based on the latest 7.1.1 Nougat AOSP sources.

Finally, the wait for AW 2.0 update for ZenWatch 2 is over. Unfortunately, not for everyone. The smaller Zenwatch 2 OTA update is still holding back. As it comes to the bigger WI501Q variant device, we shall soon see the Android Wear 2.0 rolling out for WI502Q. You may go to Settings > System Updates > and Check for OTA updates. If not, you can grab the OTA zip file directly from Android repository below and flash it manually via stock recovery.

Not much is known about the stability of the firmware for ZenWatch 2 either. Users running Android Wear 2.0 on ZenWatch 3ย have been facing some problems with WiFi and a little stability issue.

Download Asus ZenWatch 2 Android Wear 2.0 OTA update

OTA for Asus ZenWatch 2(big) โ†’ Direct Link | File for WI502Q (wren)

OTA for Asus ZenWatch 2(small) โ†’ย Direct Linkย | File for Asus WI501Q sparrow

OTA for Asus ZenWatch 1 โ†’ Direct Link | anthias not available

The OTA updates for the smaller device shall be updated soon. This comes w

How to Install Android Wear 2.0 OTA update onto Asus ZenWatch 2 via ADB sideload method?

This is a manual method to flash OTA updates onto any Android device. This includes Android smartphones, tablets, wearable technology, smartwatches, Android Auto, and much more. For this method, then you will need the to connect your device to PC via USB cable. Your PC must have ADB and Fastboot setup. Go through the requirements and instructions carefully.

ADB sideload method:

Step 1: Download the OTA file for Asus ZenWatch 2 from above. Place the file on your PC where you can easily locate it.

Step 2: Make sure you have Enabled USB Debugging on your Android device from Developer Optionsย found inย Settings. Enable OEM Unlock if available.ย Trust the connection by allowing it when you connect it to your PC for the first time.

Step 3:ย Make sure your PC has ADB and Fastboot environment setup.

Step 4:ย Connect your Android device to PC via USB cable. Trust the connection by checking โ€œAlways allow from this computerโ€ when you connect the device for the first time.

Step 5: Keep the device plugged in and open aย command prompt window or terminal on your PC where the file is located. Type cmd in the address bar and hit enter. In cmd, you can enterย โ€œadb start-serverโ€. If not, proceed.

Step 6:ย Reboot your Android device into stock recovery. To do so, issue the following command through cmd or terminal.

adb reboot recovery

Step 7:ย Once into the recovery, choose the optionย โ€œApply update from ADBโ€ and swipe right on the smartwatch.

Step 8:ย Now ADB sideload the OTA zip. Type the following command in terminal.

adb sideload <filename>.zip

Step 9: Now the OTA will start installing.

Put the exact name into filename field and the exact extension. For instance, if the filename is ota.zip, then enter โ€œadb sideload ota.zipโ€.

For Mac users and Linux machines:

For Mac OS, issue the command:

./adb sideload ota.zip

Command for Linux machines:

sudoย adb sideload ota.zip

Image credits:ย DCDadu


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