fēnix 8 Series - Recent Threads

External Heart Rate fails to download

BA_Sid — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:06:47 GMT

After swimming my Fenix 8 has started failing to download external Stored HR Data.

After clicking save the message “Searching for Stored HR Data” initially appears, followed by “Downloading Stored HR Data”, but it never completes the download.

The second message just remains displayed until I eventually give up and press the back button. I’m then given the option to “Save without external HR?”

If I decline this option it just goes back to the “Downloading Stored HR Data”, but again it never completes the download.

If I accept the option and save, then go to options after it has saved and scroll down to and select “Download HR’, again the message “Searching for Stored HR Data” initially appears, followed by “Downloading Stored HR Data”, but it again it never completes the download.

I know to make sure both the watch and strap are out of the water both before starting the session and after before stopping the session. I usually hold my watch to my chest so it’s in close proximity to the strap when starting and stopping. I’ve also been double checking the watch and strap have successfully paired before starting the session.

This has been happening when paired with a Garmin HRM-SWIM strap when swimming in the pool, and a Garmin HRM-PRO PLUS under my wetsuit when swimming in open water. Both of which I’ve used many times with this watch before and not had any problems downloading external HR before.

I’ve tried replacing the batteries in both straps and removing the straps from the watches stored sensors and re-pairing them.

I’m starting to think the fault lies with the watch, possibly after a software upgrade.

Anyone else having the same problem?

I upgraded version to 22.38... and ALL sensors stopped working.

7280352 — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:23:21 GMT

Tried everything (reset/re-install/connect to computer) but nothing is working. I see sensor version 0.0.1 anyone else managed working this one out?

No heart rate, no diving, not even the COMPASS.

How do I fix this? I've been re-installing everything in the watch but nothing works.

Planned workouts name not correct logged in 22.38

Jurgen dW — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 07:10:54 GMT

My Fenix 8 with ffirmware version 22.38 does not log my planned workouts correctly.
In the calendar when a base, threshold, sprint or any other workout is planned and I select this in my watch (yes it is synced) it does not log the correct workout in the Connect app: It simply states I did a run ant what type of run. Looking back in workouts with version 22.35 and earlier this was still working correctly.

BUG! Garmin Pay PIN asked frequently, no gaps in heart rate graph

RA — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:47:16 GMT

Hi,

Had to open a new thread about Garmin Pay not remembering PIN for 24h. I was again asked for PIN after watch reset this morning. After the reset I've used Garmin Pay today without problems, but now after i last time used it about a hour ago, PIN was again asked.

Now i checked heart rate graph from watch, minute by minute few hours back , and NO GAPS! Garmin Pay does NOT remember PIN, even that heart rate is monitored correctly.

This is a BUG and needs to fixed!

Fenix 8 pro - 51mm. Huge battery drain 22.39

ivinnic — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 11:23:04 GMT

Severe battery drain on Fenix 8 Pro 51mm after firmware 22.38

Hello Garmin Development Team,

I have been experiencing abnormal battery drain on my Fenix 8 Pro for approximately four weeks.

Issue details:

Battery drains at approximately 1% per hour
Wi-Fi is disabled
LTE is disabled
Only Bluetooth is enabled
Battery usage statistics show that 99% of the consumption is attributed to “System → Other”
No settings were changed before the issue started
The watch configuration remains exactly the same as before
Current version 22.39

The problem appears to have started after installing firmware version 22.38. This level of battery drain suggests that a background system process may be consuming excessive power.

I have been on vacation for the past month, and it is extremely disappointing to have to recharge the watch every four days. Reliable battery life is especially important while travelling, hiking and using activity tracking.

Considering the price of the Fenix 8 Pro and Garmin’s reputation for long battery life and reliable outdoor devices, this situation is particularly frustrating and falls far below reasonable expectations for a premium product.

Please investigate this issue and clarify whether it is a known firmware-related problem. I would also appreciate information about any available workaround and whether a fix is planned for an upcoming update.

Body Battery

HenkV — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:51:27 GMT

Since updating to version 22.38, it seems that my Body Battery no longer updates until after midnight. This happens even though I usually go to bed around 10:30 PM, and my sleep data already shows that I’m in deep sleep.

Am I the only one experiencing this, or have others noticed the same behavior?

Before the update, it worked perfectly for me. As a result, my Body Battery remains unusually low because it doesn’t start recovering until after midnight.

Garmin fenix 8 error when cycling

Catalin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:48:39 GMT

Dragă Garmin.

Sunt dezmăgit de tine.

Încă o dată, din păcate.

Înțeleg că nu poți repara ce Fenix 8 nu vede ce rulez pe pistă.

Înțeleg că atunci când înot, deși plutesc când încep cursa și îmi mișc brațele și picioarele uniform, nu vede distanța pe care o parcurg pe spate.

Dar ca Fenix 8 să meargă prost și la jogging, asta eo adevărată realizați.

Pe scurt - am pedalat afară astăzi timp de aproximativ 7,41 minute și m-am uitat la ceas. Nu arăta viteza sau kilometrii parcurși. Arăta doar timpul scurs și pulsul.

Nu am făcut alte setări la ceasul anterior.

Am început o altă cursă. Timp de aproximativ 6 minute, Garmin nu a văzut distanța sau viteza. Apoi a început să funcționeze - a afișat km și viteza.

Atașez niște poze cu telefonul ca să vă faceți o idee. Fenix 8 va împlini un an peste o lună.

Nu voi recomanda niciun prieten să cumpere un produs Garmin!

Garmin Fenix 8 error when cycling outdoors

Catalin — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:46:28 GMT

Dear Garmin.

I'm disappointed in you.

Once again, unfortunately.

I understand that you can't fix what Fenix 8 doesn't see what I'm running on the track.

I understand that when swimming, although I float when I start the race and move my arms and legs evenly, it doesn't see what I'm swimming on my back as distance.

But for Fenix 8 to go wrong and when jogging, that's a real achievement.

In short - I pedaled outdoors today for about 7.41 minutes and looked at the watch. It didn't show speed or km traveled. It only showed elapsed time and pulse.

I didn't make any other settings on the previous watch.

I started another race. For about 6 minutes Garmin didn't see the distance or speed. Then it started working - it showed km and speed.

I'm attaching phone shots to give you an idea. Fenix 8 will be a year old in a month.

I will not recommend any friend to buy a Garmin product!

Feature Request: Day-Based Custom Training Cycles for Shift Workers (2 Days / 2 Nights)

5689246 — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:57 GMT

Hi everyone and the Garmin Team,

I recently got the Fenix 8, and while it is an absolute masterpiece of hardware, I’ve run into a major software limitation that impacts millions of athletes worldwide: the rigid Monday-to-Sunday training calendar.

Like many others, I work a rotating shift schedule, and the standard 7-day Garmin Coach or fixed training plans simply do not work for me. When our "weekends" and rest days rotate constantly, fixed plans break, workouts get missed, and the algorithm unfairly drops the confidence score.

💡 The Proposal: A Day-Based Custom Sequence Builder

Instead of forcing a 7-day calendar week, Garmin should allow users to create a custom loop/cycle based on a sequence of days (e.g., an 8-day, 10-day, or 12-day cycle). We need to be able to manually define training days and rest days regardless of what day of the week it is.

🏃‍♂️ A Concrete Example (My Schedule):

I work a rotating 4 days on (2 day shifts, 2 night shifts) schedule. To train effectively without burning out, I need to build a custom 8-day training loop that looks like this:

Days 1–2 (Day Shifts): 2 days of Rest (due to heavy work hours).

Day 3 (Transition): 1 day of Light Workout (between day and night shifts).

Days 4–5 (Night Shift & Sleep): 2 days of Rest.

Days 6–8 (Days Off): 3 days of Training (with an Intense/Hard Workout specifically on the 2nd training day).

Once Day 8 ends, the cycle should simply loop back to Day 1, completely independent of whether it is a Monday, a Wednesday, or a Sunday.

💬 To the Community:

This feature would make Garmin the most inclusive and flexible ecosystem on the market for first responders, medical professionals, factory workers, and anyone with a non-traditional schedule.

If you work shifts and face the same issue, please upvote this post and share your schedule in the comments below! Let's show the Garmin team how much this feature is needed.

Thank you!

Garmin Fenix 8 timer, gesture not working when timer alarming

RA — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:23:54 GMT

Hi!

When having Garmin Fenix 8 timer on and it alarms, the screen stays black even when turning your wrist. Only tapping the screen or pressing a button turns screen on at thst moment.

When timer is on, the gesture works and screen goes on when turning your wrist and you can check how much time is left in the timer.

It's easy to test, set timer to 15sek and start it. Now gesture works ang screen turns on and off. Have the screen off when timer alarms, and screen stays off.

Firmware 22.38

Black background unavailable for golf course view on new fenix 8?

Dan — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:49:07 GMT

Ive noticed there is no way to physically change from a white background with black text to a black background with white text on my new fenix 8 solar 47mm. Is this a new update or am I missing something? Plenty if videos showing how to switch it but my watch does not have the function in the settings...

Do Garmin Fenix 8 watches qualify for warranty service if the original purchase invoice is not available? Can I check whether the watch is still under warranty using its serial number? If so, where can I check it?

5538309 — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 07:22:26 GMT

Turn by turn stop working (maybe garmin explore ?)

maxc — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 11:16:17 GMT

TBT used to work very well.
since my last runs and trail runs distance to final destination but no more guidance for turns.
I have been using since a while Garmin Explore…is may the maybe the cause?

Anyone else super fast battery drain since 22.39

Pitz66 — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 06:32:12 GMT

My system updated on my Fenix 8 pro Amoled. Had 2 runs (40 minutes) and 2 weights sessions and my battery has died in a few days. Only second charge of new watch. Standard watch face.

Previous to update got nearly 4 weeks.

Is solar charging on the Fenix 8 working as advertised for anyone? Noticeable increase?

sirvival007 — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:58:54 GMT

Since I use the watch outdoors a lot—both in summer and winter—I decided to buy the Solar version again.

Unfortunately, given roughly the same usage patterns, I haven't noticed any difference in battery life, regardless of whether the watch is exposed to a lot of sunlight or very little.

If you believe the marketing claims—which were the reason I upgraded from the fenix 7 Solar 51mm to the fenix 8 Solar 51mm—you would expect to see a significant difference in runtime, especially since they advertise an increase of around 60%.

So, I’d like to know: is this an issue specific to my watch, or does it affect all users of the Solar version?

Garmin Fenix 8 Garmin Pay doesn't remember PIN code for 24h

RA — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:59:33 GMT

Garmin Fenix 8 asks for Garmin Pay PIN randomly to often, even that it should ask it once in 24h.

Just gave Garmin Pay PIN, payed a purchase, checked few minutes later Garmin Pay, and was again asked for PIN.

Soft reset the watch, and it works a while until the problem is back.

Having the strap as Garmin suggests,

"The band on your Garmin smartwatch or fitness tracker should be worn loosely enough that it can move back and forth on your wrist. However, a watch that features a wrist-based heart rate sensor benefits from a snug but comfortable fit during an activity. Wear the band 2 finger widths above your wrist, and remember to loosen it after a workout."

This is exactly same problem that Fenix 7 used to have, and it was fixed in a firmware update.

Garmin Pay doesn't remember PIN code for 24h

https://www.reddit.com/r/Garmin/comments/14v34rp/garmin_pay_asking_for_code_all_the_time/

Please check!

What do “Flow 2” and “Heel to Toe 4” mean?

jbusbee — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:27:04 GMT

Fenix 8 AMOLED (Software Bundle 22.38): What do “Flow 2” and “Heel to Toe 4” mean?

On the activity launch screen:

Run displays Flow 2
Walk displays Heel to Toe 4, Flow 2

The activity profile names are “Run” and “Walk” (not renamed), there are no third-party Connect IQ apps except Spotify, and the activities record normally. Does anyone know what these labels represent?

Fenix 8 bluetooth stutter Shokz OpenSwim Pro headset

awang13 — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:53:23 GMT

Hello. Long time Garmin watch user. I recently purchased a Fenix 8 47 mm It is at the current Sofware version because I have auto-update on my Garmin Connect hardware profile set up. It is Fenix software version 22.38.

I wear my watch on my left wrist. My blue tooth headsets I have always used with my 945 Forerunners are Shokz bluetooth headsets. They normally operate with crystal clear audio and noice cancellation on calls. I live in Chicago and summertime heat waves make my runs extremely hot. So assume there is prespiration invovled in the RUNNING activity I am using.

I wear a HR strap set up on ANT+ channel which displays while I run. I am not running a navigation track or displaying a map on my Fenix

I am using the Amazon Music app to play downloaded play list (not streaming). For whatever reason for the first 15-20 min or couple of miles the bluetooth music is fine and then it begins to stutter and cut in and out constantly. I have tried switching watch to right wrist as I think the Shokz controller for the headset is on the right ear side.

I am turning off wifi as suggested in threads about this recurring problem. Still an issue. Any ideas before I return this piece of junk?

group track

JULIAN MORANTES — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:24:36 GMT

The "group track" feature on the Garmin "Fenix" in previous versions allowed you to search for a group member and center their location, speed, and distance data. I can't find this feature on the Fenix 8; please enable it.

Fenix 8 - Software Update Issues

6008639 — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:43:13 GMT

I have recently just installed a software on my fenix 8 47mm amoled. And now my watch is constantly rebooting, the text on the home screen with the data sections is weirdly larger and it has been entering in and out of recovery mode. I dont know what to do and I dont know what is causing this issue. The watch was working just fine until the software update.

Fenix 8 Pro/MicroLED System Software 22.39

GScualo — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:38:53 GMT

Hi.

Where should I download Fenix 8 Pro/MicroLED System Software 22.39 .gcd firmware file please?

Incoming call screen does not turn on with gesture

RA — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:17:07 GMT

Garmin Fenix 8 screen is not turning on with gesture, when there is a incoming call. If i get a notification etc, screen turns on with gesture. The setting for notifications is turn not screen on, but gesture is on.

Incoming calls should also turn screen on with gesture as it does with notifications, so this is a bug.

Also when screen is on after incoming notification, screen does not go off with gesture as it should. It does not work at all, no matter if the setting for notifications is screen on or off.

Firmware 22.38

Please fix!

LTE Messenger Calls fail when phone is out of range on fenix 8 pro 51

Philip — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:37:09 GMT

When my phone is out of Bluetooth range and the watch is running on LTE, sending/receiving messages via the Garmin Messenger app works fine. But as soon as I try to make a call via Messenger Calls, I immediately get "Call failed" with a prompt to update the Garmin Messenger app on the phone to make voice calls.

If the phone is nearby instead, I get "Phone connection lost – move closer to the phone or call directly from this watch."

My setup:

Watch: Fenix 8 Pro, 51mm

Firmware version: 22.39

Garmin Messenger app version (phone): latest version installed

Smartphone: Xiaomi 15 Ultra

inReach service plan: active

I've already tried rebooting the watch — it works for a short while afterward, but the issue comes back after a few days or after reconnecting/disconnecting from the phone again.

Has anyone found a permanent fix, or is there any official response from Garmin on this?

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RA — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:43:23 GMT

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RA — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:50:03 GMT