Hello!
Updating through WiFi doesn't work for me.
Summary
- Searching for updates through WiFi is only possible if the initial sync after boot succeeded, which is often not the case.
- The update itself always fails.
- It is not possible to actually turn the WiFi off and on again. It keeps on.
- As suspend of the device can break WiFi connectivity. Requiring a turning the device off and on again.
- API endpoints probably slow.
Description
Updates on my Edge 850 always fail. I was only able to install 29.22 with Garmin Express through macOS. Now the current release as of 2026-02-20 is 30.18 and I tried to update for hours. When I use the built-in update functionality of the Edge 850 through
System -> About -> Check for Updates
it always fails. The Edge connects to WiFi and says “Checking for Updates” for around five minutes. Then it either responds with “Transfer Failed”, "Download check failed...", “Checking for Updates” infinitely or the Edge turns the display off (i.e. suspends) because I missed touching it repeatedly. While writing these lines, I discovered a new message "Some Updates Could Not Be Downloaded".
But being able to check for updates requires a precondition.
Every time the Edge 850 boots up, it will automatically connect to the WiFi (fine) and try to sync (fine) which can succeed within 30 to 60 seconds (good), or it fails and gets stuck forever (bad).
When it gets stuck and I don't touch the display repeatedly, the Edge suspends after five minutes. When it resumes, it either manages to connect back to WiFi (now we are back in the previous situation, maybe the sync succeeds) or the WiFi is not working anymore at all (very bad). Why is the initial sync after boot important? Because as long as the Edge 850 tries to sync, the search for updates isn't allowed “Transfer already in progress”. And there is no way to prevent that; it doesn't help to turn the WiFi off and on. The status bar shows that the WiFi actually is never switched off and disconnected.
Regressions from 530 to 850:
- The Edge 530 syncs much faster, usually within 30 seconds. The Edge 850 gets stuck very often during sync.
- The Edge 850 fails to download the current update.
- Turning the WiFi off under Connected Featuers -> WiFi doesn't turn the WiFi off.
- The Edge 850 suspends when connected to external power during sync, searching for updates, and downloading map updates.
- The Edge 850 often fails to re-connect WiFi after suspend and resume (see above).
- The Edge 850 blocks the search for updates once a sync is “Transfer in Progress”.
Questions:
- Are the API endpoints used by the 50 series slower than the endpoints of the 30 series? My location is Germany. The Edge 530 operates fine in the same WiFi. Provider is Deutsche Telekom (DTAG), native IPv4 and IPv6.
- Why the update check doesn't simply check for a version number (gather info) and then download the update (showing a progress bar)?
I'm afraid the WiFi connectivity of the Edge 50 series needs a thorough inspection.
Thank you
