Garmin releases new updates for popular mid-range smartwatches before future major stable rollout

In recent weeks, Garmin has delivered plenty of updates across its beta and stable software programs. As is often the case, the company has prioritised its latest high-end models like the Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 over other models. Similarly, the recent arrivals of the Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970 and Venu X1 have seemingly pushed mid-range or older smartwatches further down the list of importance.

As an example of this, the older Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 (curr. $599 on Amazon) have not received a new stable update in over two months when Garmin delivered System Software 23.20. Meanwhile, the same devices have been left running v24.07 on Garmin's Beta Program for almost a month at this point.

However, the company has finally moved its Beta Program onto a new update with the release of Beta Version 24.10. Available across the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 from today, the update can also be downloaded manually by navigating through the Main menu, Settings, System and Software Update on your Beta Program-enrolled smartwatch before tapping 'Check for Updates'. As always, the five smartwatches share similar changelogs, including a bug fix aimed at resolving potential system crashes on the watch face. Please see the lists below and Garmin's forum for more details.

Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255 & Forerunner 265 changelogs

• Fix a potential crash on the watch face.
• Improve on-device recovery options when PIN unlock attempts are exhausted.
• Fix an issue with event goals not updating on device when edited.
• Fix colour shift not automatically turning on in sleep mode.
• Fix volume control not working when using Control Phone.
• Various bug fixes and improvements.

Forerunner 955 & Forerunner 965 changelogs

• Fix a potential crash on the watch face.
• Improve on-device recovery options when PIN unlock attempts are exhausted.
• Fix an issue with event goals not updating on device when edited.
• Fix an issue with route calculation on China maps.
• Fix color shift not automatically turning on in sleep mode.
• Fix volume control not working when using Control Phone.
• Fix issues with golf AutoShot.
• Various bug fixes and improvements.