Garmin’s 18.14 software update triggers battery drain concerns
Owners of several popular Garmin smartwatch models have reported a significant decrease in battery life following a software update. The issue appears to be linked to version 18.14 of the firmware. Reports on various platforms, including Garmin forums and Reddit, suggest that the bug affects the Fenix 7 series, Epix Pro, and even some Forerunner models.
The problem has been known since the Beta release of 18.14, yet Garmin proceeded to launch the update into its stable version without resolving the bug. Despite widespread complaints during the Beta phase, users have only recently seen acknowledgment from Garmin. The issue has persisted for weeks without any official fix.
Temporary workarounds
There are some temporary workarounds that have been discovered. It’s possible that the problem is that GPS remains connected after a workout is closed. So one suggestion is to reboot the watch after each workout or perform a non-GPS activity, such as yoga, immediately afterward to reset the system and reduce battery consumption.
Others have opted to downgrade to previous stable firmware versions like 15.77. This version does not have these power management issues.
Many are frustrated with Garmin’s approach to updates. They claim that known bugs are often released in final software versions and addressed only after a user backlash. The lack of swift responses from Garmin support has only added to the frustration.
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Some users have tried to mitigate the problem by disabling specific features, such as Incident Detection, which has been identified as a potential culprit. Others have noted that disabling Garmin Share could help minimize battery loss. These makeshift solutions, however, are less than ideal for users expecting a polished experience from a premium device.
Suspect timing?
The timing of the update has also raised concerns among Garmin users, with some speculating that the battery drain issues could be linked to the recent launch of newer models, like the Fenix 8 series. However, we do not subscribe to this conspiracy theory.
The brand’s reputation for reliable, long-lasting battery life has been a major selling point, making the current issues all the more disappointing. After the update many have noticed their watches losing charge at an alarming rate, with some reporting drops of up to 18% overnight – a stark contrast to the devices’ usual robust battery performance.
Hopefully there will be a fix soon. Until then, you may need to rely on temporary fixes or revert to an earlier firmware version. If you are affected you may want to give a shout to Garmin support to put some pressure on developers.
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