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New Garmin Forerunner smartwatch updates start rolling out with the promise of Run Coach and Cycling Coach improvements

Software Version 21.22 should bring various improvements to Garmin's Forerunner portfolio. (Image source: Garmin)
Software Version 21.22 should bring various improvements to Garmin's Forerunner portfolio. (Image source: Garmin)
Garmin has begun rolling out new updates for many of its recent Forerunner smartwatches. Available across models from the Forerunner 165 to the Forerunner 965, the new update package promises to address various bugs and other quality-of-life refinements.

Garmin rounded off 2024 by issuing beta updates for all of its recent Forerunner smartwatches. Now, the company has issued the same build on its stable development branch, which should be arriving across the Forerunner 165, Forerunner 255, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 (curr. $599.99 on Amazon) in the coming days.

Garmin will deliver the new update packages in a 'phased rollout', which has reached 20% fulfilment at the time of publication. In other words, only a few Forerunner smartwatches may have received a notification to download Software Version 21.22 for now. Garmin still offers the option of manually triggering a new update's installation by navigating through the following menus on the smartwatch itself:

Main menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates

Officially, the new update merely introduces 'general bug fixes' to the Forerunner smartwatches listed above. Garmin's beta changelog provides a few insights, though. For instance, the company claimed to have addressed eight different issues via bug fixes. Additionally, v22.12 was said to improve Garmin Run Coach and Garmin Cycling Coach plans by adding supplemental strength workouts. For reference, Garmin's previous changelog for v22.12 was as follows:

  • Adds connection type information for paired sensors.
  • Improvements to Garmin Run Coach and Garmin Cycling Coach plans to include supplemental strength workouts.
  • Supports updates to the user's training readiness score throughout the day.
  • Supports the latest Connect IQ apps, watch faces, and data fields.
  • Improvements to the icons that display with notifications.
  • Fix touch setting not always honored during activities.
  • Fix crash that could occur with customized activity alert.
  • Fix issue with sunrise/sunset alerts not sticking.
  • Fix issue where alerts from one profile show up in another profile.
  • Fix issue where navigation fails with Hot Keys.
  • Fix CIQ glance icons on some products.
  • Fix issue that could cause workout video to hang.
  • Fix sleep mode schedule UI layout issue.

Source(s)

Garmin (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 01 > New Garmin Forerunner smartwatch updates start rolling out with the promise of Run Coach and Cycling Coach improvements
Alex Alderson, 2025-01-16 (Update: 2025-01-16)