Garmin adds new multisport activity feature and improves Garmin Coach with new smartwatch updates

Garmin has released a new stable update for its older Forerunner smartwatches, including the Forerunner 165 (curr. $245 on Amazon). For context, the company ran another short beta testing phase during which it offered Beta Versions 26.05 and 26.07 after launching System Software 25.06 at the start of October. 

Now, Garmin is offering Software Version 26.08 to the Forerunner 165, which is also available across the Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965. Incidentally, the company has just pushed stable updates to the newer Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 with dozens of new features and improvements. By contrast, Garmin has decided to focus on resolving outstanding bugs for its older Forerunner smartwatches.

To that end, Software Version 26.08 contains four bug fixes for the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965. Additionally, the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965 have received a fix for a bug that prevented Fix Red Shift functionality from disengaging when your sleep window ends. On top of that, Software Version 26.08 introduces a new lap key long-press option for all bar the Forerunner 165. The full Software Version 26.08 changelog is as follows:

All eligible Forerunner smartwatches

• Fix an issue that could cause some Garmin Coach workouts to appear blank.
• Fix an issue with exiting pan/zoom mode on the map if activity is paused.
• Fix Find My Device alert not sounding if device is locked with the Passcode feature.
• Fix incorrect playback time being displayed when fast forwarding music tracks.
• Various bug fixes and stability improvements.

All smartwatches but the Forerunner 165

• Allow the lap key to be held to change sports during multisport activities, freeing up a lap press to record laps, rests, or sets within the current sport.

Forerunner 165, Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965 only

• Fix Red Shift sometimes not disengaging when sleep window ends.

Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965

• Fix missing club averages and suggestions when using CT10 sensors.