For owners of the Garmin Vivoactive 6, a welcome surprise is rolling out in the form of a new beta software update. Version 15.05, while not yet officially announced by Garmin, is being reported by users on the company's forums and brings with it a trio of significant enhancements, headlined by a fix for a pesky battery drain issue that some users have encountered.
This update follows the recent stable release of version 12.74, which addressed a Wi-Fi download bug, indicating that Garmin is actively refining the experience on its popular fitness smartwatch.
User Reports Reveal Update Details
The details of the update come courtesy of vigilant members in the Garmin Beta Program forums. In a thread dedicated to firmware update 15.05, users who have received the beta are sharing their findings. One particularly detailed post outlines three key changes included in this release, offering a glimpse into what all Vivoactive 6 users can expect in a future stable rollout.
The most anticipated fix addresses battery life. Some users reported their Vivoactive 6's battery was depleting faster than expected under certain conditions. This beta update appears to specifically target that problem, potentially restoring the multi-day battery life that is a hallmark of Garmin devices.
What's New in Beta Version 15.05?
Beyond the crucial battery optimization, the update introduces two thoughtful features designed to improve daily usability.
- Morning and Evening Reports in the Notification Center: Previously, your personalized Morning Report (a summary of your sleep, recovery, and daily schedule) and Evening Report were accessible only as dedicated glances. The new update adds a convenient shortcut by placing summaries of these reports directly in the watch’s Notification Center. This means you can quickly catch up on your daily stats without navigating away from your central hub for alerts.
- A Simple Gesture to Dismiss Notifications: A small but intuitive new gesture control has been added. When a smart notification from your phone appears on your watch screen, you can now simply place your palm over the display to immediately exit it. This offers a faster, more natural alternative to reaching for the touchscreen or side buttons, especially when your hands are full.
How to Get the Update and What to Know
As a beta release, version 15.05 is currently available only to users enrolled in the Garmin Beta Program. It is unclear when Garmin will officially acknowledge this update or begin its wider, stable rollout to all Vivoactive 6 owners.
If you are in the beta program and want to check for the update, you can navigate to Menu > Settings > System > Software Update on your watch. It's important to remember that beta software can sometimes be unstable, so installing it on your primary device carries some inherent risk.
This move aligns with Garmin's recent activity, as a similar beta update was released for the high-end Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 965 models earlier this month. For those considering joining the Garmin ecosystem, the Vivoactive 6 remains a top-tier choice for an active lifestyle, and you can find it available online such as at Amazon for $299.99.
The arrival of this update is a positive sign for the Vivoactive 6 community, demonstrating Garmin's commitment to supporting its devices with not just bug fixes, but also meaningful feature additions long after their initial release.
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