Garmin announces first software update for new smartwatch with fresh features and bug fixes

Garmin has published its first software update for the Forerunner 165, just over a month after releasing the smartwatch. Typically, the company tests new features and bug fixes on its Beta Program, as has recently been the case with the Venu 2, Venu 2S and Venu 2 Plus. However, Garmin has not even added the Forerunner 165 to its Beta Program yet.

Instead, the update has landed through the company's stable software distribution channel. In a forum post, Garmin explains that Software Version 9.24 can be downloaded through Garmin Express or Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM). With that being said, the post implies that the software will be issued in batches, as often happens with Garmin software releases.

If that is the case, then it should be possible to trigger Software Version 9.24 to start downloading manually by heading to the main menu on the Forerunner 165, followed by Settings, System and then Software Update. According to the same post, Software Version 9.24 makes 18 changes from the smartwatch's launch software, including 11 bug fixes. The full changelog for Software Version 9.24 is as follows:

• Adds Lap Undo.
• Adds male voice prompts.
• Adds the jump rope activity.
• Adds the Sleep Coach glance.
• Fix rare crash with track run.
• Fixed backlight brightness level when using real time settings.
• Fixed backlight gesture not working in do not disturb mode.
• Fixed crash when swiping left to dismiss certain smart home notifications.
• Fixed freeze/crash associated with trying to update weather info on invalid location data.
• Fixed slow notification updates on watch face notification data field.
• Fixed strength profile set weight now remembered in structured workout.
• Fixed text clipping issues in activity summary page.
• Fixed touch screen settings when in sleep mode.
• Fixed various sport profile settings bugs.
• Fixed various UI and system bugs.
• Improved headset compatibility.
• Runners can access a world wide database of tracks.
• Various UI improvements.

Purchase the Suoman 3+2 screen protector pack for the Garmin Forerunner 165 on Amazon