Fenix 6 Series - 20.87 Public Beta

Hello Fenix 6 customers,

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

Please email the Garmin Outdoor Quality Team if you find issues in software after installing this update: [email protected]

If you’ve participated in the Fenix 6 Beta Program previously, you’ll notice a few changes from how we have managed this in the past. And further down the line, we’ll have some additional improvements to the Beta Program (more on that later!) Notably, this forum post is now the primary resource for reading the change log notes – they are not available on another webpage. (There will be more options for viewing change logs after we implement the additional improvements to our beta program.)

The links to download the software update are listed below. Select the link specific to your watch model. Please note that your computer will download a .zip file when you open this link. This zip contains the software update, as well as a folder with the file necessary for backdating software, and instructions for this process if you choose to do so. Remember, backdating software will reset all settings.

Use these links to download the zip for your watch to update to version 20.87:

Change Log for version 20.87 (changes since 20.86):

Fixed issue where the Sleep Widget was not accessible when Widget Glances were turned off.
Fixed intermittent issue where shutdowns would occur in the strength Activity.
Fixed intermittent issue where stress and sleep data would not get properly collected.
Other minor improvements and bug fixes.

Instructions for updating software:

Download the .zip specific to your computer, using the links above.
Connect the watch to your computer.
Unzip the folder and copy the included gupdate.gcd file (from the System_x.xx folder) to the Primary\Garmin folder on your watch.
If there is a Sensor Hub_v*** folder, place the gupXXXX.gcd file into the \GARMIN\REMOTESW folder of the device. Please note, not all Beta releases will include an update.
If there is a ANT_BT_BLE_v*** folder, place the gupXXXX.gcd file into the \GARMIN\REMOTESW folder of the device. Please note, not all Beta releases will include an update.
Disconnect the watch from the computer and it will prompt you to update software.

After updating, your watch will be running the following software versions. These can be confirmed on the Menu – System – About pages. New versions are indicated in red.

System Software: 20.87

GPS: 5.30
Sensor Hub: 18.00 *If you have been participating in the Beta Program, you may already have this sw
ANT/BLE/BT (Pro models): 6.15 *If you have been participating in the Beta Program, you may already have this sw
ANT/BLE (non-Pro models): 3.01
Wi-Fi (Pro models only): 2.60

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

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0 flocsy🤠 over 2 years ago in reply to Szunyog007

not sure if this is related to the FW or to the GCM or to the CG web that provides the apis for GCM...

0 Szunyog007 over 2 years ago in reply to flocsy🤠

I never seen empty Training Effect after saving an activity on the watch. But now yes, maybe this was just one odd occasion will see tomorrow if it's gonna happen again. I hope not.

0 Frankysour over 2 years ago in reply to IgnazioSias

Upboting this since I would very much like to see it coming to my watch, but... I do consider this quite ilu likely to happen :

0 5135968 over 2 years ago in reply to Frankysour

Have you put the Performance Condition datafield on any of your activity fields?

I find + and - a very good proxy for this.

Try it. Pay attention to how you feel when you start seeing - in realtime. This is when your performance starts to fade vs. your baseline and is a good proxy for how your stamina is holding up.

0 Frankysour over 2 years ago in reply to 5135968

YES! I do use that.

actually, I have (together with HR, pace, cadence) on the main data page for my runs Performance Condition, excercise load, and the training effect "indicator graph" datafield, which shows the aerobic and anaerobic TE earned throughout the workout increasing as the run progresses. Very nice stuff.

Basically, I am a data enthusiast (I should say nerd, really...), if I would put as much effort in my workouts as I do in intensely watching the nice numbers on my F6x I would run sub 2hrs marathons

In any case yes, with the above combination of data fields (of course always pretending they are accurate) gauging my (and my workout) state is interesting and fun.

Still, as a data nerd, I would enjoy one more page to look at

0 hugochaplin over 2 years ago

What is also difficult to understand is that the watch indicates that I am sleeping but also that I am climbing floors. How can an algorithm allow this? If I walk and climb floors then it is obvious that I am not sleeping. It often happens to me that he puts me on "rest" since I may be too calm despite the fact that I find it abnormal. Not because my pulse is low that I'm sleeping..

0 5135968 over 2 years ago

False sleep error still present - as with every example I have shown, occurs soon after an activity

Overnight sleep tracking was fine:

But replaced by a false sleep

Typical HR dip after activity marks start of new sleep event

0 Szunyog007 over 2 years ago

So did a walk now and the watch reported no training effect at all after syncing with GC it's now Recovery.

0 emanuel over 2 years ago

Installed yesterday

0 Frankysour over 2 years ago in reply to 5135968

Mmmhhh... Ok, it was probably too much to expect an immediate fix.

It's really peculiar how much this is repetitive... And being so much "stable" behaviour they should be able to address it fast - though it does not appear to happen for many people... Possibly you have a higher recovery capacity than average, you hr goes down faster or something... Or have a very fast ramp in HRV after finishing your workouts.... Or you are simply able to sleep while being awake