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| The Fenix 8 Pro is one of several smartwatches eligible to receive Beta Version 20.20. |
Less than a month after announcing a unified stable update, Garmin is back in beta, addressing significant system flaws in its flagship sports watches.
If you own a Garmin Fenix 8, Enduro 3, or Tactix 8, your watch recently received System Software 20.19, a milestone update that synchronized its software with the newer Fenix 8 Pro. That release was meant to close the book on Garmin's 20.xx beta cycle. However, the company has hit the brakes on that plan, opting to release a new beta build to squash some serious bugs that slipped through.
Garmin has now rolled out Beta Version 20.20 for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, and Tactix 8 models. This move confirms that the 20.xx development phase isn't over yet. In a recent forum announcement, the company explicitly stated that this 20.20 release will not be the final beta before the next stable update, though it hasn't provided a timeline for what comes next.
What's Fixed in Garmin Beta 20.20?
While the wait for a final, polished update continues, the focus of Beta 20.20 is stability. Garmin has targeted three specific issues, two of which could lead to full system crashes—a significant concern for a device meant to be reliable in all conditions.
The full changelog from the previous versions includes:
- Fixed a possible crash when maps are locked. A bug that could cause the watch to freeze or reboot when accessing locked map data.
- Fixed a possible crash when using the flashlight shortcut. An issue where activating the popular quick-access flashlight could destabilize the system.
- Fixed SOS alarm countdown not playing during sleep. A safety-related fix where the audible countdown before an SOS alert triggers would not sound if the user was in sleep mode.
For detailed information directly from the development team, you can follow the official discussion on the Garmin Beta Program Forums.
What This Means for Watch Owners
The quick pivot back to a beta program highlights the complexity of harmonizing software across slightly different hardware platforms. While inconvenient for users eager for a final update, it shows Garmin's caution in not letting critical bugs persist in a stable release. The identified crashes related to core features like maps and the flashlight are not minor glitches; they are the type of head-scratching bugs that can erode trust in a device's core functionality.
For now, participants in the Garmin Beta Program can download Beta Version 20.20 over-the-air (OTA). Those who prefer rock-solid stability should avoid enrolling in the beta and wait for the official stable release that will eventually follow this testing phase.
Looking for the latest Garmin hardware? The Fenix 8 Pro, which now shares its software foundation with these models, is available for purchase on Amazon.
This article is based on official communications from Garmin's beta program. As with any beta software, users are advised to proceed with caution as unforeseen issues may still be present.