Garmin releases major stable update for Fenix 8 Pro and other recent high-end smartwatches packing dozens of new features and improvements

Garmin has now transitioned its v20.19 update to its stable software branch after offering the same update to beta testers yesterday. As expected, System Software 20.19 harmonises Garmin's Fenix 8 Pro development cycle with the Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 (curr. $1,289 on Amazon). Additionally, the update packs over 100 changes from System Software 17.30 that arrived almost two months ago.

According to the company's forum post, System Software 20.19 contains 23 changes specific to the Fenix 8 Pro. In short, many of these relate to the Fenix 8 Pro's LTE functionality that is not available on the regular Fenix 8 or associated smartwatches. With that being said, the update also introduces a dozen new features for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 and Tactix 8, including a Health Status glance.

Moreover, Garmin claims to have resolved 58 bugs found in earlier stable builds, excluding those specific to the Fenix 8 Pro. Apparently, System Software 20.19 improves the watch face selection menu when scrolling too, albeit in unspecified areas. Currently, Garmin claims to have offered System Software 20.19 to around 20% of eligible smartwatches running stable software. While that figure will rise in the coming days, one can request System Software 20.19 manually by navigating through Settings, System and Software Update before tapping 'Check for Updates'. The full changelog between System Software 17.30 and 20.19 is as follows:

• Added 'LTE Standby' pop up in an activity when LTE is disabled automatically for power savings. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added a spinner to the Messenger conversation list when a message in the conversation is still sending. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added ability to react to Messenger messages with any reaction using the emoji keyboard. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added an activity data field option for LTE signal strength. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added an Image Viewer for pictures received through Messenger For Wearables, which allows users to pan and zoom images. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Added automatic Touch Lock unlock if Touch is on for Strength reps screen.
• Added Cycling Vo2 Max Watch Face Complication.
• Added Gear Ratio Analysis - shows time spent in each gear ratio.
• Added GroupRide and Data Comparisons - shows rider data compared to the group average.
• Added Health Status - adds a glance that tracks health data changes and overall wellbeing.
• Added improvements to sensor lost experience.
• Added Inline Skating compatibility for custom workouts.
• Added Power Guide and Power Guide Altitude Acclimation for cycling.
• Added Real-Time Weather updates and wind improvements.
• Added Shortcut support for the Calculator.
• Added support for GPI Files.
• Added touch access to Keyboard layout menu via drag.
• Fixed accessing activity status menu with buttons during activity.
• Fixed altitude appearing as jumpy at high altitudes.
• Fixed an issue where the month in the date on the watch face was not being properly translated.
• Fixed auto triggered setting not correctly restoring after Backup and Restore.
• Fixed being unable to see headset details once connected.
• Fixed black screen after tapping back button from the music screen during an activity.
• Fixed Calls being answered when gesturing or tapping anywhere on screen.
• Fixed choosing Walk in multisport workout custom option causing other activity types to disappear.
• Fixed CIQ Watch Face Timeout Not Matching System Setting.
• Fixed Controls Menu Not Updating When Phone Connection Is Lost.
• Fixed course points and ClimbPro not showing after resuming an activity when navigating.
• Fixed crash when switching CIQ music provider.
• Fixed crash when using headphone controls to adjust music playback.
• Fixed device showing Storm Alerts when swimming.
• Fixed Down key not dismissing Training Alerts during activities.
• Fixed Flashlight Strobe not stopping after pausing activity.
• Fixed folder Glance preview units not updating when folder contents change.
• Fixed headphones not disconnecting when using ECG.
• Fixed inconsistent Metronome timing.
• Fixed incorrect text on the Moon glance.
• Fixed Indoor Climb activity not locking buttons when in an active split.
• Fixed issue where 'Unlink' option in Messenger would display when the device is already unlinked. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue where a Messenger notification could push on top of the Preparing Update page. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue where a Messenger voice message could record longer than 30 seconds. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue where a Messenger voice message would not start recording immediately. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue where Messenger Calls would not show disconnected from phone when there is no active subscription. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed issue with 'Auto LTE Standby' pop up displaying when disabling LTE. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed lag caused by the Health Snapshot glance.
• Fixed lag when starting an activity.
• Fixed lag when swiping on the Morning Report greeting page.
• Fixed maximum active timers message showing when starting timer.
• Fixed Meditation activity button behavior.
• Fixed MIP background color not updating when updated on the navigation course details and elevation plot pages.
• Fixed MIP backlight not turning off after using Weixin Pay.
• Fixed missing hint indicator on the ECG about page.
• Fixed Morning Report Showing Old All-Day Events.
• Fixed Multisport Activity Ending When Switching to Strength.
• Fixed Muting Swim Pacing Alert Not Working.
• Fixed Outdoor Maps Plus download map menu showing a black screen.
• Fixed Outdoor Maps Plus layer selection page not pulling in location until the map is shown.
• Fixed POI Search Showing as City Search in the Add Location Menu.
• Fixed Possible Crash When Editing Activity Focus Mode Display Settings.
• Fixed possible crash when exiting Messenger app. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where a Messenger call would not transfer to headphones. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where Auto LTE would not disable when an internet connection through a paired phone is restored. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where LTE & Satellite Status could unexpectedly show 'Disabled. (Fenix 8 Pro only)'
• Fixed possible issue where LTE quick control would show 'Using Phone' when no phone is connected. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where the cancel button on the 'Use Satellite/Keep Trying LTE' prompt would not immediately cancel messages. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed possible issue where the Messenger Calls timer does not start at 0:00. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Fixed Reordering and Removing the First Data Screen of a Hunt Activity.
• Fixed Run Coach Plan with Strength Workouts Not Marking Completed Strength Workouts as Completed in the Plan Details.
• Fixed Running Performance Glance Showing Wrong VO2 Max.
• Fixed Screen Turning Off When Doing a Down Gesture When Recording ECG.
• Fixed Smart Notifications not working when connected to Android devices.
• Fixed straight line route created when creating a course using locations on the map menu.
• Fixed the battery icon being cut off on the Enduro 2 watch face.
• Fixed the inReach glance not automatically adding after pairing with an inReach Device.
• Fixed Tide alerts going off during Sleep window.
• Fixed Total Body Circuit 5 Workout Showing the Wrong Rep Count.
• Fixed Touch Lock control not toggling when Do Not Disturb is on.
• Fixed Touch Screen remaining on during a Swim Activity as a part of a multisport activity.
• Fixed track color not following setting.
• Fixed vibration and tone setting missing from devices without a speaker.
• Fixed Voice Alert Frequency settings not working.
• Fixed Voice not stopping when adjusting volume.
• Fixed Wallet Pin Timeout Screen Allowing Users to Bypass Timer.
• Fixed Watch Face Battery Field to Update Faster When the Flashlight Is Turned On.
• Fixed Watch Face Calendar Complication Showing Events from the Wrong Day.
• Fixed weather icons on MIP watch faces not showing night icons at night.
• Fixed Workout steps possibly showing the wrong equipment.
• Fixed WX Radar shortcut not working for Tactix.
• Improved ability to select the voice message icon when replying to a Messenger message. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Improved Messenger Calls when there are no saved contacts to prompt the user to open the Messenger mobile app and add contacts. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Improved sizing of the satellite icon on the compass page on the NTN pointer. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Improved snapping of the NTN satellite bubble in and out of target circle on the NTN pointer. (Fenix 8 Pro only)
• Improved watch face selection menu scrolling.
• Removed possible pop ups which could appear over a SOS conversation thread (touch lock icon, activity stopped border, etc. (Fenix 8 Pro only))
• Removed the ability to wrap from 0 to 999 in the Strength reps menu.
• Removed the ability to wrap from the top of the activity pause menu to the bottom.
• Updated Activity Stage Menu Highlight Color to Match the Activity Type.
• Updated Flashlight Indicator to Turn Off as Soon as the Light Turns Off.
• Updated Multisport Activities to Allow Long Hold on the Lap Key to Change the Sport.
• Updated the Navigation Preview Page to Show the Total Distance Remaining on the Course.