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| The Forerunner 965 is one of five smartwatches eligible to receive Public Beta Version 27.05. |
Attention Garmin Forerunner users: If you’re part of the company’s Beta Program, a fresh software update is now heading your way. Garmin has officially begun the phased rollout of Public Beta Version 27.05 for a large segment of its popular Forerunner lineup, including the Forerunner 255, 955, 165, 265, and 965 models.
This follows a more limited beta (Version 27.03) that was initially exclusive to the Forerunner 165. The expansion to five core models signals that Garmin is polishing a significant firmware package, likely one of the last major updates before the year's end.
A Phased Rollout, With a Manual Option for the Eager
As is standard practice for Garmin, this new beta is being distributed in stages. The company notes that it may take a few days for the update to appear automatically on all eligible devices, but it has already reached a 50% rollout percentage as of this writing.
For those enrolled in the Beta Program who don’t want to wait, there’s a reliable workaround. You can manually prompt your watch to check for and install the update by navigating to Settings > System > Software Update > Check for Updates. This action bypasses the phased rollout queue, granting immediate access to the new beta.
If you want to dive into the official announcements and discussions for your specific model, Garmin has detailed forum posts for each watch:
- Forerunner 255 Series Public Beta Version 27.05
- Forerunner 955 Series Public Beta Version 27.05
- Forerunner 165 Series Public Beta Version 27.05
- Forerunner 265 Series Public Beta Version 27.05
- Forerunner 965 Public Beta Version 27.05
Focus on Stability: Key Bug Fixes for Swimmers and Beyond
So, what does this beta update actually do? According to Garmin’s release notes, Public Beta Version 27.05 is primarily a stability and maintenance release. The most notable fix addresses several crashes that could occur during swim activities—a welcome resolution for triathletes and pool enthusiasts who rely on their watch's accuracy in the water.
Beyond the aquatic improvements, the update “resolves various other bugs while making multiple other undefined improvements.” This vague but promising language suggests under-the-hood optimizations that could enhance battery life, sensor accuracy, or general system responsiveness. As with any beta, the full extent of changes often becomes clear through community testing.
What’s Next? The Path to a Stable Release
Garmin has not provided a timeline for when the v27.xx development cycle will graduate from beta to a stable public release. However, given the historical cadence of Garmin updates and the current state of this beta, it seems unlikely that a final, stable version would land before the end of the year. Users can probably expect the refined stable update to arrive in early 2024.
For those considering joining the Forerunner family, the involved models like the Forerunner 265 remain cornerstone devices for runners and multisport athletes. You can often find competitive pricing on these watches at major retailers like Amazon.
Interested in checking current prices on the Garmin Forerunner series? Click here to see the latest deals on Amazon.
Are you running the new Garmin Forerunner beta? Notice any improvements or new bugs? Share your experiences in the comments below!