Fenix 6 Series - 20.00 Public Release Candidate

Hello Fenix 6 customers,

Our next beta version for the Fenix 6 series is now available! 

Please ensure that you are downloading the correct beta software for your specific device.

Instructions for installation are available below the change log on each of the above pages.

20.00 Change Log Notes:

  • Added ability to turn off recording an activity during a golf round.
  • Added an alert to notify user when battery is critically low during a music sync.
  • Added HRV Support from chest strap for Yoga and breathwork.
  • Added pop-up to Pulse Ox Measuring feature if the device detects too much movement and cannot get an accurate measurement.
  • Added support for new biking activity profiles: eBike, eMTB, Cyclocross, Gravel Bike, Bike Commute, Bike Tour, and Road Bike.
  • Added support for the HIIT activity profile and workouts.
  • Added support for the Pickleball profile.
  • Added support for the Padel profile.
  • Added support for the snowshoe activity profile.
  • Added support for the tennis activity profile.
  • Added new tips to indicate which activities support Incident detection.
  • Improved accuracy of Surf wave count algorithm.
  • Improved Explore Sync app waypoint load times.
  • Improved Lactate Threshold and Altitude Acclimation algorithms.
  • Improved measurement loading UI when taking an SpO2 measurement.
  • Update the altimeter’s auto calibration to be either be “On” or “Nightly”. Setting to “On” will calibrate at night, activity start, and continuously during activities. Setting to “Nightly” will set the device to only calibrate altitude at night. (Models without DEM maps will not perform continuous calibration during activities)
  • Fixed issue with alarms intermittently not going off when the device is set in Max. Battery Mode.
  • Fixed display issues on the device after navigating to a point initiated by the Garmin Explore App.
  • Fixed issue where selecting a single point on a map that contained multiple items would not display the items properly.
  • Fixed issue that would corrupt open water swim activity files.
  • Fixed issue where PacePro bands would not be recognized by the device.
  • Fixed issue with updating aviation data over wifi.
  • Fixed issue with activities reporting incorrect Activity Calories and Training Effect data.

Current beta peripheral software version numbers below. New versions are indicated in red.

GPS: 5.30
Sensor Hub: 11.01
ANT/BLE/BT (Pro models): 6.11
ANT/BLE (non-Pro models): 3.00
Wi-Fi (Pro models only): 2.60

Please note, the beta updates released on these forums are not compatible for APAC region devices.

Please send all bug reports to [email protected], and indicate which model of the Fenix 6 Series you have in the subject line

We know this post states it is a public release candidate, yet the URL states it's a beta.  This is simply a method of delivery for public beta.  We use the same channel and therefore the 'beta' term follows each of these links.  We only note it is a public release candidate so that you are aware it's the proposed version to go live to the public.  

  • To disable nightly calibration; what is the effect of switching off the phone (when no Wifi enabled on watch): will that leave the current altimeter value intact, or will it calibrate to a default or random value?

    With 19.78, auto calibration to ON and the phone off at night, the altimeter works quite well and I want to keep it like that. I won't install this version unless phone off at night is guaranteed to leave the altimeter calibration alone.

    Hopefully it'll fail and leave the current value alone - going to try that today using Power Saver mode

  • Update the altimeter’s auto calibration to be either be “On” or “Nightly”. Setting to “On” will calibrate at night, activity start, and continuously during activities. Setting to “Nightly” will set the device to only calibrate altitude at night. (Models without DEM maps will not perform continuous calibration during activities)

    I think a third option "At Activity start only" would make sense here

    or even have it

    Auto Cal - on/off (Auto cal during activities only)
    Nightly - on/off (Nightly calibration only)
    Start of Activity Only - on/ off

    That way offers a wider range of options for people, or even no auto calibration at all for people who'd prefer to manually calibrate when they want too

  • Auto Cal - on/off (Auto cal during activities only)
    Nightly - on/off (Nightly calibration only)
    Start of Activity Only - on/ off

    Ya, that's the way it was for 2.5 years before this update, so I'm not sure why they've changed it, the menu options were fine before. Now it's confusing and doesn't offer enough options.

  • Yeah - basically just add "nightly" to the old options. Email to the beta team me thinks

  • "nightly" was there before, they just didn't call it that. It was just called "auto-calibrate outside of activity", but it was in fact a nightly calibration.

  • Ahhhhh... Yeah, so basically ... go back to the old one's me thinks!

  • I've had a reply from the Beta team re respiration and activities.

    The new beta's have changed behaviour, such that for certain activities respiration recorded with a HR strap (as opposed to the oHR) do count towards your daily respiration average

    "" Beta software 19.74 did bring in an improvement that does include respiration rate from workouts in your daily respiration rate average.  It is important to note that this is only true if you are wearing a heart rate monitor during your activity.  If you do not wear a heart rate monitor, respiration rate from an activity will not be included.  It’ll work as it has in the past.

    The only activities this is not true for are yoga, breathwork, gaming and health monitoring.

  • Well no, why go through the hassle, also I work in shifts so I would always have to do that manually.

  • Yea its practically not a new feature but the removal of one.

  • Some fixes from previous betas are not listed. Are they excluded like New Surf or just slipped form this chang log?

    For example fix for watch rebooting when saving activity. Or Rebooting during the activity. Also enabling temp sensor for indoor swim activity etc...