Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 2 hrs ago
Garmin releases major beta update for Fenix 8 and other high-end watches
Garmin has begun rolling out Beta Version 24.12 to participants in its Beta Program worldwide.
The update is for the Fenix 8 range, including the Fenix 8 Pro, and other eligible high-end watches such as the Tactix 8.
It includes 45 changes, 37 of them bug fixes, compared with software versions 23.39 and 23.40.
The fixes address problems including unexpected restarts, missing notifications, audio alerts and calendar displays.
The update also aims to speed up place-of-interest searches and adds pairing instructions for Garmin’s HRM 200 and HRM 600 heart-rate monitors.
Users must check for the update manually through the watch’s Settings, System and Software Update menus.
Garmin has not said when the beta will become a stable public release.
Garmin has released Beta Version 24.12 for participants in its Beta Program who use the Fenix 8 series and several associated high-end watches.
The update includes 45 changes compared with System Software 23.39 and 23.40, including 37 bug fixes.
It also aims to improve place-of-interest search speeds and adds instructions for pairing HRM heart-rate monitors.
The update is available globally but must be requested manually through the watch’s software update settings.
- Who
- Garmin and participants in its Beta Program using eligible high-end watches.
- What
- Garmin released Beta Version 24.12, with 45 changes including 37 bug fixes.
- When
- The release was reported on October 17, 2026; the exact release date is not stated.
- Where
- Globally, for eligible watches.
- Why
- To introduce new features and improvements and fix issues in earlier software.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Garmin issued System Software 23.40 to the Fenix 8 and other non-Pro watches.
The Fenix 8 Pro and Tactix 8 Pro remained on System Software 23.39.
Garmin began offering the beta to Beta Program participants through a manual update check.
- Beta version
- 24.12
- Changes
- 45 compared with System Software 23.39 and 23.40
- Bug fixes
- 37
- Eligible models
- Fenix 8 series, including Fenix 8 Pro, and Tactix 8 series
- Update method
- Manually select “Check for Updates” in the watch’s software settings