Garmin releases major update to popular smartwatch with over a dozen improvements

Garmin has released Beta 19.15 for its Venu 4 smartwatch. The first beta update since Beta 18.27, Beta 19.15 also marks the start of public v19.xx development. As such, the new beta contains numerous changes and improvements for the Venu 4 (curr. $549 on Amazon).

Specifically, Garmin claims to have bundled 23 changes within Beta 19.15. The company's forum post goes on to reveal that 14 of these changes are bug fixes, including one that should prevent the Venu 4 from rebooting while answering a phone call. Additionally, the update is said to resolve an issue that could cause a Venu 4 to reset upon shutdown.

Moreover, Beta 19.15 adds instructions for entering pairing mode with HRM 200 and HRM 600 devices. On top of that, the new firmware is said to improve the accuracy of swim stroke type and swim length detection. Also, the update changes the Pulse Ox app so that it only blocks vibrations during a reading.

Currently, Garmin is not distributing Beta 19.15 as an over-the-air (OTA) update. As a result, one must download the new beta manually. To download Beta 19.15, navigate through the main menu to Settings, System and Software Update and select 'Check for Updates'. Please see Garmin's forum post for more details.

Beta 19.15 changelog

• Adds instructions for entering pairing mode for HRM 200/600.
• Adjusts Change Sport to show favourite activities first with a More option.
• Changes Auto Lap prompts to announce lap numbers during workouts.
• Changes Pulse Ox App to only block vibrations while taking a reading.
• Fixes an issue preventing removal of the Radar Camera Controls data screen.
• Fixes an issue that could cause Breathwork Live Activity instructions to appear blank.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the device to restart when starting a GPS activity with Bluetooth headphones connected.
• Fixes an issue that prevented spectator message actions from opening.
• Fixes battery drain issue that could happen while using Alipay
• Fixes inconsistent Bluetooth headset volume control and volume synchronisation.
• Fixes list becoming stuck when entering Pinyin.
• Fixes missing Find My Device alerts on repeated searches.
• Fixes notifications appearing during high-intensity workout intervals by delaying delivery.
• Fixes occasional device reset upon shutdown.
• Fixes Spoken Watch Face not working after swimming.
• Fixes the virtual partner screen not displaying automatically when racing yourself from a downloaded activity.
• Fixes the watch not immediately moving a stock up/down in its list when rearranging stocks.
• Fixes watch rebooting while answering a phone call on the watch.
• GCM Translations 4.50
• Improves accuracy of swim length and swim stroke type detection.
• Keeps showing weather data when hitting outages.
• Updates activity discard behaviour for activities longer than 30 seconds.
• Updates move alerts by adding manual snooze options and automatic suppression conditions.