Garmin is giving owners of some of its most popular smartwatches new reasons to keep the device already on their wrist.
The company announced a new round of free software updates on Sept. 22 for select fēnix, Forerunner, Venu and vívoactive watches. The rollout adds features, including fall detection, hands-free voice controls, and new running tools, to compatible existing devices.
For Garmin owners, the update is a reminder that some of the biggest smartwatch improvements can arrive through software rather than new hardware.
Which Garmin watches are getting the update?
Garmin said the latest features are rolling out across several of its current smartwatch families, although individual features vary by device.
The company specifically named:
- fēnix 8 series
- Forerunner 570
- Forerunner 970
- Venu 4
- vívoactive 6
Garmin is also updating compatible Edge cycling computers with additional cycling features.
The update comes shortly after Garmin expanded its premium smartwatch lineup with the fēnix 9 and fēnix 9 Pro. TechRepublic recently compared the Garmin fēnix 9 and fēnix 9 Pro, including what buyers get for the Pro model’s higher price.
Fall detection comes to the Garmin Venu 4
One of the most significant additions to the Venu 4 is fall detection.
According to Garmin’s announcement, the watch can detect a hard fall and, if available, send a message with the user’s location to designated assistance contacts. Users can configure the feature for all-day monitoring or enable it only during selected activities.
Garmin says the feature requires the Venu 4 to be paired with a smartphone. The company notes that additional requirements and limitations apply to its safety features.
Garmin already offers other safety tools across compatible watches, including LiveTrack, incident detection and assistance. Garmin says those features can help users share their location or contact friends and family when they need help.
Fall detection extends that safety focus by allowing the Venu 4 to recognize a hard fall and trigger an alert.
‘Okay, Garmin’ brings hands-free controls
Compatible Garmin watches are also getting hands-free voice controls.
Users can say “Okay, Garmin” to perform supported actions without pressing a button. Garmin says those commands can include starting a timer or activity and turning on the flashlight on compatible devices.
Users can also say “phone assistant” to access the virtual assistant on a paired smartphone.
That could be particularly useful during workouts when stopping to navigate menus is inconvenient. It also expands the number of routine watch functions Garmin users can access without touching the device.
Runners get new workout and Garmin Coach tools
The update also expands Garmin’s training features.
Compatible watches can provide quick running workout suggestions after a user enters the desired duration and intensity. Garmin says the suggestions are tailored to the runner’s fitness level.
Garmin is also adding new Garmin Run Coach plans with run/walk workouts and lower-volume training options. The plans can be used to prepare for an event, work toward a milestone, or improve overall fitness, and they adapt daily based on a user’s health and recovery metrics.
Garmin’s watches already emphasize detailed fitness and health tracking, and the latest update adds more training and safety tools to that mix. TechRepublic previously examined Garmin’s work on blood sugar and HbA1c tracking, another example of how the company is exploring ways to make wearable data more useful beyond basic steps and heart rate measurements.
The latest software release also adds an Indoor XC Ski activity profile that supports compatible indoor ski trainers.
Garmin is updating its Edge cycling computers too
The software rollout isn’t limited to watches.
Compatible Garmin Edge cycling computers are getting improvements to the Enduro ride profile. Garmin says the profile can now automatically detect and switch between climbing and descent modes. That means cyclists can get information tailored to the section of trail they’re riding without manually switching modes.
The broader rollout shows how Garmin is using software to add capabilities across its fitness ecosystem instead of reserving every new feature for its next hardware generation.
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What Garmin owners should do now
If you already own a compatible Garmin watch, the most important question isn’t whether the update sounds impressive. It’s whether your particular device gets the features you’ll actually use.
Garmin’s rollout covers multiple product families, but not every feature is available on every watch. Venu 4 owners, for example, are getting the new fall-detection capability, while other compatible devices may receive voice controls, running features or other additions.
The company says the free software updates have started rolling out. Owners can enable automatic updates on their device and sync it with Garmin Connect, or install updates using Garmin Express.
Before considering a new smartwatch solely for better fitness, training or safety features, it’s worth checking what Garmin has added to the watch you already own. Software updates can change the upgrade calculation, especially when they bring practical features such as hands-free controls, adaptive training plans or additional safety tools to existing hardware.
For anyone comparing Garmin with other wearables, TechRepublic’s smartwatch health-alert guide breaks down safety and health features available across Garmin, Apple, Samsung, Google and Huawei watches.
Also read: TechRepublic also recently covered Google’s mystery wearable that surfaced in FCC filings, offering another look at where the wearable market may be heading next.