Garmin is preparing a new beta update for five of its recent smartwatches, with version 18.27 delivering more than a dozen fixes rather than new features. Notebookcheck reports that the update covers the Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, Venu 4, Venu X1, and vivoactive 6. The changelog addresses several basic functions that could behave inconsistently in everyday use.
The fixes include inconsistent touchscreen gesture responses, an Always-On Display setting that sometimes failed to activate, Music app volume controls, and cases where music did not stop correctly when played from a phone. Garmin has also addressed problems with the phone voice assistant: commands could go unrecognized, while an incoming call could leave the feature unusable after the interruption. The official changelog is shared across the Forerunner 570 and the other affected models.
One of the more significant fixes concerns Incident Detection, where the alert tone might not play. Garmin has also fixed spectator audio messages that could end prematurely or be masked by music, as well as a delayed score prompt during golf rounds. These are not headline features, but they address the kind of reliability problems that matter after a watch has become part of a daily routine.
The five-model list also illustrates how closely Garmin has aligned software across its current generation. It includes the running-focused Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970, alongside models aimed more directly at everyday use. The Venu X1 is also included, while the vivoactive 6 launched last year as a more affordable option with an AMOLED display and claimed battery life of up to 11 days. Garmin issued a much broader update for the same watch family in February, adding new features rather than focusing solely on fixes.
There is an important caveat for Venu 4 owners: Garmin says the ECG app is disabled in beta versions at this stage of the testing cycle. Users who need ECG to remain available should avoid joining the Public Beta program for now; Garmin says the feature returns in beta builds closer to the stable release.
Beta 18.27 can be installed by enrolled testers. Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates Garmin lists the Forerunner 570 rollout at 100%, and the update is also available for the Forerunner 970, Venu 4, Venu X1, and vivoactive 6. No date has yet been announced for the stable release.
