If you’re a proud owner of one of Garmin’s latest mid-range running watches, there’s a fresh software update rolling out that directly addresses a couple of key user pain points. After a somewhat rocky initial beta release, Garmin is now pushing out a new, refined Beta Version 15.16 for both the Forerunner 965 and the Forerunner 265, focusing heavily on improving the often-criticized sleep mode functionality.
This update marks a swift response from the tech giant, showing its commitment to refining the user experience on its popular wearables based on community feedback.
From One Beta to Another: A Quick Course Correction
Just last week, Garmin released its first significant beta updates (Version 15.13 for the Forerunner 965 and 15.12 for the 265) for these models. While they contained the usual assortment of minor bug fixes, one change, in particular, sparked discussion in user forums: the removal of the sleep mode shortcut.
Now, the company has quickly moved past that with Beta Version 15.16 for both watches. It's important to note that this is still a beta release, meaning it's undergoing final testing before a widespread public rollout. As such, it requires manual installation for now.
To get the update, owners enrolled in the Garmin Beta Program must navigate on their watch to Main Menu > Settings > System > Software Update and manually tap 'Check for Updates'. If your watch is enrolled, the download for Beta Version 15.16 should begin.
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What’s New and Fixed in Beta Version 15.16?
So, what does this new update actually do? According to Garmin’s official forum posts, Beta Version 15.16 packs a punch with several quality-of-life improvements that users will appreciate.
The most significant fix resolves an issue where post-activity summary pages were being skipped during auto-scroll. For runners and cyclists who love to analyze their data immediately after a workout, this was a frustrating bug that interrupted the flow of reviewing their performance metrics.
However, the headline improvement for many will be the sleep mode tweak. Garmin states it has "resolved an issue where manually ending sleep mode could cause a device reset." This was a widely reported problem where users trying to turn off sleep mode in the morning would find their watch unexpectedly rebooting, a jarring way to start the day.
Finally, as with many international updates, Garmin has also updated translations in unspecified areas of the watch’s interface, ensuring better clarity for a global user base.
For all the technical details and to follow the community discussion, you can read the full announcements on Garmin's official forums:
A Focus on the User Experience
This rapid iteration on the beta software demonstrates Garmin's active development cycle. By engaging directly with its Beta Program community, the company can identify and squash bugs before they affect the general public. The specific focus on the sleep mode function—a core feature for recovery tracking—shows that Garmin is listening to what matters most to its users: stability and a seamless daily experience.
If you're a beta tester, installing this update should lead to a smoother, more reliable interaction with your Forerunner 965 or 265, especially first thing in the morning. For everyone else, it’s a promising sign that a stable, polished version of this software will be landing on your wrist soon.