If you’re one of the early adopters of Garmin’s recently released Venu 4 smartwatch, there’s some welcome news on the horizon. The company has just launched its first-ever beta testing program for the mid-range watch, signaling the start of a significant software overhaul aimed at squashing a handful of bugs, including a particularly annoying issue that causes the device to crash.
The Venu 4, which hit the market less than a month ago, has so far been running on stable software versions in the v14.xx series. The most recent public update, version 14.12, delivered some initial fixes. But now, Garmin is looking ahead to the next major iteration with the release of Beta version 15.08 for its newly formed Venu 4 Beta Program.
This move is a standard but crucial step for Garmin, allowing a community of users to test new features and bug fixes in a real-world environment before a stable version is pushed to all customers.
What’s New and Fixed in Beta 15.08?
The primary focus of this first beta build is stability and refinement. According to the official changelog, the update addresses several teething problems that users have encountered since the watch’s launch. The most significant fix targets a system crash that occurred when the watch received multiple smart notifications in quick succession—a common occurrence for anyone with an active social or work life.
Other notable improvements include:
- Resolved Call and Music Glitch: Fixed an issue where the speaker could mute or the watch could reboot after trying to answer a phone call while playing music through the device's speakers.
- Accurate Notification Count: The watch face will now correctly display the number of pending notifications, so you won’t be left guessing.
- Evening Report Timing: Ensures your daily evening report appears at the proper, scheduled time.
- Voice Note Playback: Fixes a bug that could cause a recorded voice note to replay at half its original speed.
- Reduced Audio Click: A reduction in the click sound at the beginning of a voice note recording.
A convenient, though minor, change also allows users to power down their Venu 4 without needing to enter a passcode first.
For a complete look at the changes and to join the discussion, you can visit the official Garmin Beta Program forum announcement here.
A Key Consideration: ECG is Temporarily Disabled
As is standard practice with Garmin's beta programs, the Electrocardiogram (ECG) app functionality has been temporarily disabled in this build. Garmin does this to ensure stability while new underlying code is being tested. The company has a history of re-enabling these health features once the beta period concludes and the software is ready for a stable public release.
While Garmin hasn't provided a specific timeline for when the v15.xx series will transition from beta to stable, history suggests it will be after several beta builds have been tested and the most critical bugs are ironed out.
How to Get the Venu 4 Beta Update
Interested in trying out the beta? Proceed with caution, as beta software can sometimes be unstable. If you're willing to accept the risks, you can enroll your watch in the Beta Program. Once enrolled, you can install Beta 15.08 by navigating through your watch’s menu:
Main Menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check for Updates.
The Venu 4 represents Garmin's latest effort to solidify its position in the competitive mid-range smartwatch market. Priced at around $549 on Amazon, it packs a host of advanced health and fitness features, making these early software fixes critical for user satisfaction.
This proactive approach to updates demonstrates Garmin’s commitment to supporting its products post-launch, ensuring that your investment continues to improve over time. For Venu 4 owners experiencing crashes or notification bugs, the public release of this update can't come soon enough.
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