Garmin releases major update for mid-range smartwatches with over a dozen improvements

It may have taken a while, but Garmin has finally brought out a new stable update for its older Forerunner smartwatches after May's release of Software Version 23.20. To recap, v23.20 brought dozens of changes to the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 (curr. $599.99 on Amazon). By contrast, Software Version 24.12 brings fewer improvements to the table.

Nonetheless, the new update makes 15 improvements for the Forerunner 965 and slightly fewer for older or cheaper models. As always, some of these changes are common across all Forerunner 55 and 65 series smartwatches, including one for improving on-device recovery options after exhausting PIN unlock attempts. Moreover, Software Version 24.12 should address a potential crash that could occur on older builds on the watch face. 

On top of that, the new update should resolve a bug that prevented event goals from updating on a smartwatch after editing them. Currently, Garmin estimates that around 20% of eligible smartwatches should have received a notification to begin downloading Software Version 24.12 by now. For reference, the new update introduces the following changes, which we have split by the smartwatches that they affect:

All Forerunner smartwatches

• Improve on-device recovery options when PIN unlock attempts are exhausted.
• Fix a potential crash on the watchface.
• Fix an issue with event goals not updating on device when edited.
• Fix an issue with loading a workout and course at the same time.
• Fix missing EasyCard transit card image.
• Various bug fixes and improvements.

Forerunner 165, Forerunner 265 & Forerunner 965 only

• Fix missing breathing variations data.
• Fix issues with activity charts for very long activities.

Forerunner 165 & Forerunner 255 only

• Fix activity charts for very long activities.
• Fix display issues when first scrolling to Connect IQ glances.

Forerunner 255 & Forerunner 955 only

• Fix misaligned data on an analog watch face.
• Fix missing passcode prompt when off wrist.

Forerunner 955 & Forerunner 965 only

• Fix an issue preventing altimeter recalibration in Back Country Ski when Auto Calibration is set to Nightly.
• Fix an issue with booting the device while loading a large number of maps.
• Fix an issue with Dynamic Round-trip Routing recalculation when going off course.
• Fix an issue preventing altimeter recalibration in Back Country Ski when Auto Calibration is set to Nightly.
• Fix an issue with booting the device while loading a large number of maps.
• Fix an issue with Dynamic Round-trip Routing recalculation when going off course.
• Fix an issue with route calculation on China maps.
• Fix issues with golf AutoShot.
• Fix unresponsive menu key on inReach remote during activity.