Not merely the notices that I’m apparently heir to Nigerian Royalty, but also those messages from readers like you implying you’re in some sort of state of confusion and frustration. Neither scenario is great.Īnd currently, the most common more-than-daily messages I’m receiving both here on the site and YouTube is “Why is my Fenix 7 missing all the features you talked about?”. Notably the ability to configure data fields from your phone, stamina, and other more advanced functions. These features are outright missing for people that have just turned on their watch for the first time.Īnd the reason is simple: Your new watch is actually kinda old. And with it, it’s got old firmware on it. Like…firmware from last year on it (seriously). Take for example this Fenix 7 base unit I bought a week or so ago. The firmware that arrived on it was version 6.55. Roughly speaking, that puts it in the November timeframe. Which, is ironically the same timeframe that Garmin was already producing Fenix 7 units on the assembly line. Some people are also getting units with an even older firmware of 5.35. The actual current production firmware for the Fenix 7/Epix series is 7.24 (as of today). When the Fenix 7/Epix released/announced back on January 18th, the production version was 7.20. The difference between 6.55 and 7.24 cannot be overstated. Like watching one of those photo-a-day for 20 years on YouTube videos. And that even sets aside the main watch firmware doesn’t include updated versions of the wireless (e.g. ANT/BLE) and optical HR sensor firmware versions, nor any GPS chipset bits either. Now, normally what happens is that after you pair it up to your phone via Bluetooth, Garmin will download the latest firmware version behind the scenes using Bluetooth. But the problem is this will slowly trickle over. Once it’s copied to your watch, it’ll find a time when you’re not doing much (sitting around quietly at a desk or such), and then offer to install the firmware. It’ll no longer try and install at 2AM – more on why here. Point being, this entire waiting around period can take upwards of a day for most people. Now, while your watch will slowly download that update behind the scenes, the absolute fastest way to get it done is to use WiFi to force a sync, and then manually choose to install it. See, even if you set up your phone and configure WiFi, it won’t seemingly sync to Garmin’s servers via WiFi until you’re on a later version of software. I tried, it just gives a connection error (see that in the video). Instead, if you want instant-gratification, you’re gonna have to install Garmin Express for your desktop computer ( Windows or Mac), which is the fastest way to update things. But hey, on the bright side it’s also the fastest way to update the maps (since the watch’s own WiFi is much slower). Once installed, just connect your watch to the computer and it’ll show up. Roughly five minutes later, and you’re done! Once that’s done, it’ll ask to set up any WiFi networks, and then finally, it’ll go off and get all the updates:įrom there, unplug it, and you’ll be immediately offered the ability to install the latest update: Then, go ahead and add it to your Garmin Connect account (since by now, you’ve probably already created that with the phone). Here’s how:ġ) Hold the middle left button to get to Settings > ConnectivityĤ) If you haven’t already added a Wi-Fi network, it’ll prompt you to do so Now, outside of the first update to 7.24, you can normally force-update your watch using WiFi and this two-step-tango process. Now, the WiFi sync process may take a few minutes to finish. Then, go back to the Software Update menu:ġ) Hold the middle left button to get to Settings > Systemģ) Choose “Install Now”, and you’ll see the software update ready to install You can exit out of it if you’d like, or just wait. You can usually find the current version available listed at the top of the Garmin Forums. As of this writing (March 7th), it’s 7.24. So the next question is why does this firmware version gap happen? Well, in the age of product announcements being timed to instant retail availability, that requires companies stockpile products ahead of time. Which in turn means companies manufacture said units ahead of time. In most cases for big companies like Garmin, we’re talking months ahead of time for marquee launches. Others like Apple and GoPro are the same – starting production easily 1-3 months before the product is announced. Of course, software development continues to march forward on the watch firmware.
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