Garmin announces milestone update for ageing flagship smartwatch with new features and bug fixes

Garmin has returned to developing new features for the Forerunner 955 after pushing Software Version 18.22 to the device at the start of last month. For reference, Garmin later detailed the changes that Software Verison 18.22 brought the Forerunner 955 in its March 2024 software roundup, which we have covered separately. Now, the company has moved on to 19.xx builds, marking v18.22 as the end of 18.xx development on its stable and beta software branches.

Specifically, Garmin has kicked off 19.xx beta builds with Beta Version 19.09. As far as we can tell, the company is not delivering the update automatically through its Garmin Express or Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM) services. Instead, it suggests manually downloading the update by navigating through the following menus on the Forerunner 955:

According to Garmin's changelog, Beta Version 19.09 resolves four specific outstanding bug fixes while also containing 'various UI improvements and fixes'. Unfortunately, the company has not provided any clarity about the latter, which is often the case with Garmin beta and stable builds. Nonetheless, Beta Version 19.09 introduces three new features and an option to use GPS to navigate to the point where your phone and smartwatch lose connection during an activity. For reference, Garmin mentions nine changes in its Beta Version 19.09 changelog. 

• Adds heart rate dynamic source switching to select the best heart rate data source (watch or chest HRM) to improve accuracy during running activities.
• Adds support for the Garmin Messenger app with a glance and app.
• Adds the Jet Lag Adviser glance.
• During an activity, use GPS to navigate to the point where a phone lost connection.
• Fixes "Lock On Road" setting not being honored.
• Fixes inconsistent activity profile ordering between Connect and device.
• Fixes intermittent crash in music control.
• Fixes persistent notification vibration for incoming calls.
• Various UI improvements and fixes.

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