Garmin has released Beta Version 20.18 for several of its flagship smartwatches, including the recently launched Fenix 8 Pro, addressing a critical software issue related to sleep mode. The company said the new update is now being distributed globally over the air to devices enrolled in its Beta Program.
The latest firmware follows the earlier Beta Version 20.15, which was the first beta release for the Fenix 8 Pro. That version primarily focused on optimizing performance for the Fenix 8 lineup, as well as other high-end models such as the Fenix E, Enduro 3, and Tactix 8. Garmin stated in a forum post that Beta 20.18 “has been offered to 50% of eligible devices,” with remaining users able to check for updates manually via the system menu.
According to Garmin, the update resolves a potential system crash that could occur when manually exiting Sleep mode. “We have addressed an issue where the device could become unstable when ending Sleep mode,” the company noted. In addition, Garmin confirmed that Aviation, Dive, and ECG features are currently disabled in this release, pending further refinement in subsequent beta updates.
The Beta 20.18 update is part of Garmin’s ongoing testing cycle before transitioning to a stable software release. However, the company has not provided a timeline for when these changes will be incorporated into its public firmware rollout.
With this update, Garmin continues its focus on improving stability and performance across its latest smartwatch models while gathering user feedback through its Beta Program.
Source: Garmin