Garmin has rolled out a new beta software update for several of its flagship smartwatches, aiming to address navigation issues and improve watch face readability as part of its ongoing development cycle.
The beta release, identified as version 21.17, applies to models including the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Enduro 3, Fenix E and Tactix 8 that are enrolled in Garmin’s Beta Program. The update follows the recent stable release of System Software 20.29, which was issued earlier this month after more than a month without a stable update.
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Garmin said the earlier 20.29 release focused on a limited set of fixes and marked a temporary return to an older development phase. The new beta moves development forward under the v21.xx branch, though certain features such as Aviation, Dive and ECG remain disabled, indicating that further testing is planned before a stable release.
In a post on the company’s forum, Garmin said it has fixed four additional bugs present in earlier beta versions. Among them, the company said it addressed an issue “where losing GPS could cause navigation to end,” a problem reported by users during active navigation.
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According to Garmin, Beta Version 21.17 has been distributed to around 50% of eligible devices enrolled in the Beta Program. Other fixes listed include restoring missing data fields in Active Navigation loops after backups, adding a delay to the backup confirmation page, and improving the readability of the Portal watch face when red accent colours and Red Shift mode are enabled.
Source: Garmin