Garmin announces the first software update for its new smartwatch with new features and bug fixes

Garmin has released its first software update for the Forerunner 165, just over a month after the smartwatch launched. The company usually tests new features and fixes bugs as part of its beta program, as it recently did with the Venu 2, Venu 2S and Venu 2 Plus watches. However, Garmin didn’t even add the Forerunner 165 to its beta program.

Instead, the update came through the company’s stable software distribution channel. In a forum post, Garmin explains that software version 9.24 can be downloaded through Garmin Express or Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM). However, the message hints that the software will be distributed in batches, as is often the case with Garmin software releases.

In this case, you can manually initiate the download of version 9.24 of the software by opening the Forerunner 165 main menu, then Settings, System, and finally Software Update. According to the same article, software version 9.24 contains 18 changes from the smartwatch launcher software, including 11 bug fixes. Here is the full list of changes made in version 9.24 of the software:

• Added circle cancel.
• Added male voice prompts.
• Added jumping rope activity.
• Added sleep coach perspective.
• Fixed a rare crash when racing on a track.
• Fixed backlight brightness level when using real-time settings.
• Fixed highlight gesture not working in Do Not Disturb mode.
• Fixed a crash when swiping left to clear certain smart home notifications.
• Fixed hang/crash when trying to update weather information using incorrect location data.
• Fixed slow notification updates in the notification data field on the watch face.
• Corrected the weight set in the strength profile to be remembered in structured training.
• Fixed issues with text being cut off on the activity summary page.
• Fixed touchscreen settings in sleep mode.
• Fixed various bugs related to sports profile settings.
• Fixed various UI and system bugs.
• Improved compatibility with headsets.
• Riders can access a global track database.
• Various user interface improvements.