For many, the nightly ritual is simple: brush your teeth, set your phone aside, and with a single button press on your Garmin smartwatch, activate sleep mode to silence notifications and dim the screen. For owners of several popular Garmin models, that last part just got more complicated. In a move that has sparked widespread confusion and frustration within its community, Garmin has intentionally removed the one-touch sleep mode shortcut in its latest stable software updates.
The change, which was first spotted by eagle-eyed users in beta testing programs earlier this year, is now hitting a much wider audience. The functionality has been officially removed in two recent stable releases: version 15.16 for the Forerunner 570 and 970, and in the more wide-reaching version 20.19 for the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Fenix E, Tactix 8, and Enduro 3 smartwatches.
What was initially a murmur of discontent in beta forums has now swelled into a chorus of pushback on platforms like the official Garmin Forum and Reddit, as a greater number of affected users are discovering the change.
From Shortcut to Submenu: What Garmin Changed
So, what exactly is different? Previously, users could assign a button press or add a toggle to their control menu to instantly activate sleep mode. This would immediately dim the always-on display and silence smart notifications, creating an ideal, non-disruptive environment for sleep.
Now, that direct path is gone. Garmin has re-categorized sleep mode as a type of "Focus Mode," grouping it with other modes like "Do Not Disturb" and a new "Workout" mode. To manually activate sleep mode, users must now navigate to the "Focus Modes" menu and select it from there.
A representative for Garmin confirmed the change was intentional. In a statement addressing user concerns, the company recommended that users "add Focus Mode to the Light/Controls menu" as the primary alternative to the old shortcut.
This shift was heavily discussed by users in the public beta reports for the Fenix 8 family, where the removal was first documented. The discussion threads have since grown as the update rolled out to the stable channel.
The Core of User Frustration: More Clicks, Less Convenience
While Garmin's rationale may be to consolidate features, the user base has been vocal about why this change is a step backward. The primary complaint is one of pure convenience.
"This requires more clicks and more time spent looking at the watch’s display when they are trying to go to sleep," echoed the sentiment of many on the Garmin forums. The goal of sleep mode is to minimize interaction with bright screens before bed, and this new process directly contradicts that by forcing users to navigate menus.
The second, and perhaps more significant, issue impacts users with irregular sleep schedules. The automatic sleep scheduling feature is a great tool for those with a consistent 9-to-5 routine, but it fails for shift workers, new parents, or anyone whose sleep hours vary.
"For those of us who work shifts, the automatic schedule is useless," one Reddit user pointed out in a thread on the GarminFenix subreddit. "The quick manual shortcut was essential. Now, I have to fumble through menus in the middle of the night after a long shift just to get my watch to stop lighting up and buzzing."
Is There a Workaround? The Community Weighs In
In the absence of an official reversal from Garmin, the community has begun sharing potential workarounds. One suggestion is to use the voice assistant feature available on some higher-end models, allowing a user to simply say "start sleep mode" to activate it.
However, as noted by Garmin Rumors in their coverage of the backlash, this is not a universal solution. Not all affected watches have a microphone, and using a voice command may not be practical or desirable in all situations, such as when a partner is already asleep.
The current consensus is that while workarounds exist, they are inferior substitutes for the simple, efficient shortcut that was removed.
Will Garmin Listen? The Ball is in Their Court
The removal of the sleep mode shortcut highlights the delicate balance tech companies must strike between streamlining their software interface and maintaining the user-friendly features that customers love.
For now, the user feedback is clear and widespread. The question remains whether Garmin will deem this feedback significant enough to warrant a reversal in a future update. The company has a history of listening to its community, but it also has a vision for its software's evolution.
As the stable updates continue to roll out, the volume of user complaints will likely only increase. Whether Garmin will bring back the beloved shortcut or stand firm on its new menu structure is a decision that countless watch owners, from athletes to shift workers, are waiting to hear.
The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, one of the affected models, is currently available on Amazon.