Garmin Forerunner 265 Update: What's New and How It Enhances Your Running Experience

Garmin's Forerunner 265 has been a game-changer for runners seeking a blend of advanced features and user-friendly design. With its AMOLED display, robust fitness tracking capabilities, and lightweight build, it's no surprise that Garmin continues to roll out updates to enhance its performance. Let's delve into the latest updates and what they bring to your wrist.

🆕 New Features and Enhancements

1. Breathing Variation Detection During Sleep

The recent stable update, version 23.20, introduces breathing variation detection during sleep. This feature provides deeper insights into your nightly rest and recovery, helping you understand your sleep patterns better.

2. Passcode Protection with Wrist Detection

Garmin has bolstered device security by adding a passcode feature that integrates wrist detection. This adds an extra layer of protection for your personal data, ensuring that only you can access your watch's information.

3. Improved GPS Accuracy

Beta update 23.13 addresses a distance issue that could occur during GPS Walk activities. This fix ensures more accurate distance tracking, providing you with reliable data for your workouts.

🔧 Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

Garmin's commitment to refining the user experience is evident in the recent updates:

  • Scheduled Workouts Display: Fixes an issue where scheduled workouts could show up a day off in some timezones.

  • UI Layout Adjustments: Resolves UI layout issues for the last activity tap-in when no activities have been recorded yet.

  • Strength Activity Crashes: Addresses crashes that occurred during Strength activities, ensuring a smoother workout experience.

  • Lap Summary Screen: Fixes the lap summary screen not showing during suggested workouts, providing clearer post-workout insights.


⚠️ Reported Battery Drain Issues

Some users have reported rapid battery drain after updating to version 18.27. For instance, one user noted a significant drop in battery percentage overnight. Another user experienced a 35% drop in battery life after switching to version 18.27. 

Potential Solutions:

  • Disable Pulse Ox and Always-On Display: Turning off Pulse Ox and the always-on display can help conserve battery life.

  • Use Default Watch Faces: Some non-stock watch faces with plenty of data can drain battery much more. Switching to default watch faces may improve battery performance.

  • Reboot the Device: Regularly rebooting your device can help maintain optimal performance and battery life.

  • Contact Garmin Support: If the issue persists, reaching out to Garmin support for assistance is recommended.


🛠️ How to Update Your Garmin Forerunner 265

Updating your Forerunner 265 is straightforward:

  1. Connect to Garmin Express: Use Garmin Express on your computer to check for updates.

  2. Ensure Sufficient Battery: Make sure your watch has at least 50% battery before starting the update.

  3. Follow On-Screen Instructions: Garmin Express will guide you through the update process.

  4. Manual Update for Beta Versions: If you're looking to install beta versions, you may need to manually side-load them using Garmin Express.

✅ Final Thoughts

The Garmin Forerunner 265 continues to evolve with each update, enhancing its capabilities and user experience. Whether it's the introduction of new features like breathing variation detection or the resolution of bugs affecting performance, Garmin's commitment to improvement is evident. By keeping your device updated, you ensure it remains a reliable companion in your fitness journey.

Remember to monitor your watch's performance after updates, especially concerning battery life. If you encounter issues, consider the suggested solutions or reach out to Garmin support for assistance.

Stay tuned for future updates as Garmin continues to refine the Forerunner 265, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of its users.