Garmin released firmware version 20.29 on 18 September 2024 for Garmin Forerunner 255 smartwatches. The firmware rollout has been pushed out to all the eligible Forerunner 255 smartwatches within one week.
Important points for the latest Garmin Forerunner 255 Firmware release
- Garmin Forerunner 255 firmware version 20.29 supersedes beta version 20.26.
- Firmware version 20.29 also supersedes the main firmware version 19.18.
- The firmware has been pushed out automatically to the eligible devices in a phased manner. The rollout is complete.
- If you wish to manually download the update, you can do so from the Forerunner 255 device. You will need to use the Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates option to forcible pull the update from the Garmin Servers.
Changelog of Firmware 20.29
This firmware release 20.29 addresses the following 2 issues:
- Fixed incident detection remaining active after activity.
- Fixed rare potential crash at activity start.
How to update to Firmware version 20.29?
We recommend using the automated approach to updating firmware on the Garmin Forerunner 255 device.
For automated firmware updates, you require either of the following applications:
- Garmin Connect app, or
- Garmin Express application for the computer
Both methods are discussed below.
Update firmware 20.29 using Garmin Express
Garmin Express is Garmin’s application for the PC platform. You need to install it on your Windows PC or Mac computer. Post-installation of the Garmin Express application, the application pulls the updates from the Garmin website. It will push the update out to the smartphone configured in the Garmin Express application.
- Garmin Express is a proprietary application that can be installed on any computer. It is available for Windows and macOS computers.
- Garmin Express for Windows or macOS computers can be downloaded from this page on the Garmin website.
- Once you have downloaded Garmin Express, you can install it on the computer by executing the file.
- Validate if Garmin Express is working cleanly. You will need to add your device (Forerunner 255) to the Garmin Express application.
- Garmin Express helps in pulling firmware updates, map updates, Golf course updates and uploading your activities to the Garmin Connect app.
- Once you have linked your Forerunner 255 to the Garmin Express application, open the Garmin Express application.
- Connect your Forerunner 255 to the computer using a USB cable. The USB cable was shipped alongside the smartwatch when you first bought it.
- Allow Garmin Express to validate the current firmware version on Forerunner 255. Allow it to pull the latest firmware version 20.29 from the Garmin website.
- Once the software has been downloaded on the Garmin Express application, it gets pushed out to the connected Garmin Forerunner 255 device.
- This will initiate the firmware installation on your Forerunner 255 smartwatch.
- Please allow some time for the firmware to be installed automatically on your Forerunner 255 device.
- You can verify if the latest firmware has been installed on the Forerunner 255 device by going to Settings —-> System and finding the firmware in the About Device section.
Install Firmware 20.29 using the Garmin Connect app
The Garmin Connect app is Garmin’s app. It provides an interface between Garmin servers and the paired smartwatch. All downloads automatically get downloaded onto your smartphone.
The Garmin Connect app is available for the Android and iOS mobile operating systems.
- Garmin Connect is an app that can be installed on the smartphone paired with the Forerunner 255 device.
- Garmin Connect for Android phones can be downloaded from the Google Play Store page for Garmin Connect.
- Garmin Connect for iOS devices can be downloaded from the Apple app store page for Garmin Connect.
- Install the Garmin Connect app on the smartphone paired with Forerunner 255. Once the app is installed, link or connect the Forerunner 255 with the Garmin Connect account.
- Do ensure that the Bluetooth connection between the Garmin Connect app and Forerunner 255 is good. Also, do ensure that you have adequate battery charge on the Forerunner 255 and paired smartphone for the firmware update process to complete flawlessly.
- Garmin Connect validates the current firmware version on your Forerunner 255 device. If a software update is available through the Garmin servers, Garmin Connect will download the firmware files from the Garmin servers automatically.
- After the software has been downloaded on the phone through the Garmin Connect app, it gets pushed out to the Forerunner 255 device over a Bluetooth connection.
- Once the firmware has been installed on the Forerunner 255, you can verify the current version of software or firmware by going to the Settings —-> System and About Device section on the watch. It would tell you the version of firmware installed on the Forerunner 255 smartwatch.
Update firmware 20.29 manually
You can also pull the software update from the Garmin servers manually. It may be prudent, however, to wait for the firmware update to be applied automatically.
In the event, you want to pull the manual updates of the software or the firmware files, please use the Check for Updates option on your Forerunner 255 device. You can find the ‘Check for Updates’ option under the path flow share below on the Forerunner 255
Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates
Complete firmware update
Once the firmware has been updated on the Garmin Forerunner 255, we strongly suggest restarting the smartwatch.
The restart of the smartwatch helps in the watch booting completely into the new firmware. It takes care of any incidental issues like rapid battery drain that may result from the process flaws.