Garmin brings new updates to popular mid-range smartwatches with activity crash bug fix

Just under two weeks have passed since Garmin released Software Version 20.31 across its Forerunner portfolio. Unusually, the update also extended to the Forerunner 165 (curr. $249.99 on Amazon), which had been kept on a different development cycle to peers like the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965. Since then, the company has brought forth updates for other smartwatch series, including the Fenix E and Fenix 8.

However, it has elected against testing any new improvements for its Forerunner smartwatches on its Beta Program. Nonetheless, it has now introduced another new stable update, which is available across the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965. Please note that Garmin's forum post suggests that Software Version 20.31 is a Release Candidate build:

"Release Candidate" means that this exact software version is planned to “Go Live” as a public update as long as no critical issues are observed. All copies of version 20.31 will be identical, so there are no differences in functionality whether you install version 20.31 as a Public Release Candidate or wait for the update to be a Live public update.

Seemingly, Software Version 20.31 has now transitioned to stable status, though. Thus, bug fixes like one aimed at resolving a Varia Radar graphics issue and another designed to prevent a crash when starting an activity should now be rolling out to all eligible Forerunner smartwatches. As always, the new update can be downloaded manually if your smartwatch remains on older software by heading to Main menu, Settings, System, Software Update and then tapping 'Check for Updates'. Please see Garmin's forum posts linked below for more details.