On March 9 2023, Garmin rolled out the firmware version 25.10 for Fenix 6 smartwatches. This firmware release supersedes firmware version 25 which was released on 9th February 2023.
However, firmware version 25.10 addresses a single fix or improvement. Garmin has mentioned that the following change is part of the firmware version 25.10 for Fenix 6 devices:
- Fixed a potential issue causing Connect IQ watch faces to fail to load.
This implies that firmware version 25 is still a main release firmware version for Fenix 6. The firmware version 25.10 is a minor upgrade. As of April 2023, firmware version 25.10 has been rolled out to all the eligible Fenix 6 smartwatches.
Key points about the firmware version 25 for Garmin Fenix 6
The latest firmware version 25 for Fenix 6 is available for all the device models of the smartwatch. It was released on 9th February 2023. As of 23rd February 2023, the firmware upgrade has been pushed out to 30% of eligible Fenix 6 devices.
It looks like the firmware upgrade 25 is being rolled out in a graduated and phased approach. We do suggest having a cursory glance at the list of post-deployment issues of firmware version 25 on the Garmin Fenix 6 smartwatches.
This firmware upgrade supersedes the firmware version 24.10 for Garmin Fenix 6. Firmware version 24.10 was released on 15th December 2022. The latest firmware update sticks to the 4 to 6 weeks cycle of firmware upgrades for the Garmin Fenix 6 devices.
This firmware upgrade may not be available for APAC (Asia Pacific) customers as yet. So, if you are in one of the APAC countries, it would make sense to wait for the firmware update to hit your devices.
The firmware update for Fenix 6 devices is rolled out automatically by Garmin. The update files or notifications are sent through the Garmin Express application on your computer. Alternatively, you can also make use of the Garmin Connect app to download the latest firmware update from the Garmin servers to the paired smartphone.
I prefer the Garmin Connect app for all firmware-related tasks for a Fenix 6. Although the Garmin Express application is faster, the Garmin Connect app offers a more streamlined one-step firmware upgrade across all the device models of Fenix 6. For sure, you will require a paired smartphone to work with the Garmin Fenix 6 smartwatch and the Garmin Connect app.
- Download Garmin Connect app from the Google Play Store
- Download Garmin Connect app from the Apple app store
Once your smartwatch syncs to the Garmin Connect app, the latest firmware update will be pushed out automatically to the smartwatch.
It may be pertinent to mention that automatic patching of firmware on Garmin Fenix 6 must be used as a recommended strategy by the Fenix 6 device owners. There is no way for you to go back to the previous version of the firmware unless you decide to download a beta version manually and revert to one of the earlier main stable release firmware for the Fenix 6 smartwatches.
Fenix 6 firmware 25 – Changelog
Each firmware update addresses bugs and achieves performance improvements. The firmware version 25 for Fenix 6 devices includes the following changes:
Added support for Connect IQ System 6.
Added a new tip to inform the user that the device battery life can be extended by switching the PulseOx setting to manual.
Added support for Primary Wearable and Primary Training Device (Unified Training Status)
Improves the backcountry ski and snowboard activities to automatically detect climbs, descents, and transition time.
Improves the treadmill pace algorithm.
Fixed an issue causing a blank item in the training status list.
Fixed an issue where the device was exiting battery saver when accessing the activity list multiple times in a row.
Fixed an issue where the device would incorrectly display a message indicating a connection to Rally XC200 Pedals when on activities that don’t support pedals.
Fixed a potential issue where the device would shut down on long navigation activities.
Fixed a potential issue where the device would display the incorrect highlighted icon on MARQ power controls.
Fixed a potential issue where the reported recovery time would not match across multiple widgets.
Fixed the auto-save activity UI flow to no longer show PR alerts.
Essentially, we are looking at new tweaks in the software for optimized battery life. On a similar basis, this firmware fixes issues with device shutdowns and device performance bottlenecks.
Post-deployment issues of firmware 25 on Fenix 6
These are early days in terms of firmware rollout for the Fenix 6 devices. Not all eligible devices have received the firmware update as we write this. Early adopters of the firmware have indicated the following issues after the deployment of firmware on Fenix 6:
Battery drain issue – Some users have complained about an increased battery drain after upgrading to the latest firmware. However, we do suggest restarting the Garmin Fenix 6 smartwatch to see if it improves things for you. You can follow the user complaints on this thread.
Bluetooth Heart rate connection dropouts – A user has complained about missing heart rate data on the paired smartphone while the Fenix 6 watch continues to show the normal heart rate data. This issue has been corroborated by other Fenix 6 users as well. See this thread for the evolving updates.
Fenix 6 reboots during strength activities – There have been reports of the watch rebooting intermittently during the strength activities. When you try to end a lap of strength activity, the Fenix 6 watch will reboot. You can check the thread for progress updates. This issue popped up after the firmware upgrade to version 24.10. It appears that the issue with strength activities may not have been resolved in the latest release of firmware version 25 for Fenix 6.
Slower response from key presses – Another user has complained about slow response times after pressing the keys on the Fenix 6 device after upgrading the firmware to version 25. See the evolving thread here.
Some Fenix 6 device owners are wary of upgrading to the latest firmware version 25 and have disabled automatic updates. They are happy to wait for the firmware to stabilize before moving ahead with deploying it on the Fenix 6 smartwatches.
Firmware version 25 file update list
Each firmware update of Garmin Fenix 6 brings about changes in the core file on the device. These core files administer GPS, Sensor hub, and other core functions of the Garmin Fenix 6 devices.
The firmware version 25 will upgrade the following to the latest versions mentioned below:
- GPS version 5.50
- Sensor Hub version 22.09
- Wi-Fi version (Pro) 4.01
- ANT/BLE/BT (Pro) version 6.15
- ANT/BLE/BT (Non Pro) version 3.01
Firmware version 25 and Fenix 6 device models
Garmin Fenix 6 firmware version 25 is available for all the device models within the Fenix 6 series smartwatches. The following Fenix 6 device models get the latest firmware release from Garmin:
- Fenix 6 Standard edition
- Fenix 6S
- Fenix 6S Pro Solar
- Fenix 6 Pro and Sapphire
- Fenix 6S Pro and Sapphire
- Fenix 6X Pro Solar
- Fenix 6X Pro and Sapphire
Helen Kurt is a geeky nerd who loves to cover the wearables space. She has over 5 years of experience in the smartwatch domain. You can reach her on email at [email protected].