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Garmin acknowledges new Forerunner software woes caused by latest update

Garmin is already investigating reported issues that are said to affect Stable Version 21.19. (Image source: Garmin)
Garmin is already investigating reported issues that are said to affect Stable Version 21.19. (Image source: Garmin)
Garmin has just released Software Version 21.19 for the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965. While the new update package introduces dozens of changes for the five smartwatches, it also appears to break touchscreen functionality for some models and cause Wi-Fi issues on others.

Just over a week has passed since Garmin released Public Beta Version 21.19 across its recent Forerunner smartwatches, including the Forerunner 965 (curr. $564.99 on Amazon). As we noted at the time, Garmin had earmarked the beta as a Release Candidate build. Thus, it seemed that Public Beta Version 21.19 would underpin the next stable update for the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 955 as well.

That has now rung true with the rollout of Software Version 21.19 for all Forerunner smartwatches introduced from 2022 onwards. However, it appears that the new update contains a bug or two that slipped through the cracks during beta testing. On the one hand, Garmin includes the following warning within many of its changelogs:

Once device Software has been updated, it is recommended users sync their devices using Garmin Express or Wi-Fi to expedite the transfer of files required for the meditation activity.

On the other hand, it has acknowledged that the same update can cause the touchscreen to work improperly in some scenarios. Specifically, some Forerunner owners report that Software Version 21.19 prevents their devices from disabling their touchscreens during an activity. Currently, Garmin does not have a resolution for the issue, although it is already investigating the matter. For reference, Software Version 21.19 makes the following changes across all recent Forerunner smartwatches:

  • Improvements to support Pool Swim workout with pace alerts and critical swim speed.
  • Improvements to the Pool Swim rest screen and alert tones.
  • Adds the Meditation activity.
  • Adds the Moon Phase glance.
  • Fixed an issue where some types of daily suggested workouts do not show estimated training effect.
  • Fixed an issue where when the timer is set to silent mode, it still makes a sound.
  • Fixed an issue where Android smart notification images sometimes fail to load.
  • Fixed an issue where heart rate randomly spikes after activity is saved.
  • Fixed an issue where Navigation using map only adds turn icon for some sports profiles.
  • Fixed an issue where accent color of "Other" activities would not save.
  • Fixed an issue where custom workouts would not work in some activities.
  • Fixed an issue where moon phase shading was not changing when changing days.
  • Fixed an issue where adding Heart Rate to glance folder would break when heart rate is disabled.
  • Fixed an issue where sleep would sometimes not be recorded when waking up long after configured wake time.
  • Fixed an issue where device would return to previous page when browsing Weather glance.
  • Fixed an issue where sleep mode would resume after user manually exited sleep mode.

Forerunner 255/265/955/965 specific changes

  • Adds compatibility for Garmin Coach strength training plans.
  • Lactate Threshold estimates are applied automatically after training with heart rate.
  • Function Threshold Power estimates are applied automatically after training with power.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 12 > Garmin acknowledges new Forerunner software woes caused by latest update
Alex Alderson, 2024-12- 4 (Update: 2024-12-21)