Garmin Fenix 8/Pro & Tactics 8: Full Software Update Walkthrough (v21.25+)

Official Software Update for Fenix 8 Series

• 🚀 Garmin has officially released a new software update (version 21.25 or higher for Fenix 8/Pro, 21.27 or higher for Tactics 8) bringing numerous features previously in public beta.
• 💡 The update aims to enhance user experience by explaining new features, some of which leverage existing hardware more effectively.

Watch Face and Display Enhancements

• ⌚ The ability to display seconds on the always-on display has been added, though it may impact battery life and works best with numbered seconds on certain watch faces.
• 🎨 New color display modes, including color filters and a reworked 'color shift' mode, are available, with an option to enable it two hours before scheduled sleep.

New Widgets and Glances

• ⚖️ A weight tracking widget is introduced, showing weigh-ins and trends over the past week and month.
• 📝 The lifestyle logging widget allows direct logging of habits on the watch, offering more convenience than using the Garmin Connect app.
• 😴 New sleep features under the sleep coach glance include sleep alignment and optimal sleep window, providing deeper sleep insights.
• 🏈 A sports score widget enables tracking of favorite or rival team stats, including upcoming game information.
• 🔋 A detailed battery manager widget offers in-depth insights into power consumption, battery life trends, and app usage.

System Settings and Voice Features

• ⚙️ A new accessibility menu provides access to color filters and hourly alerts (vibration/tone).
• 🗣️ Support for launching the health status app via voice command has been added, alongside reworked voice settings for commands and feedback.
• 🔊 The voice alerts menu allows selection of audio output and toggles for various alert types, including new cycling safety alerts when paired with a Garmin Varia radar.
• ⏰ Alarm options have been significantly expanded with numerous new tones, chimes, vibration patterns, and a 'quiet start' feature for gradual volume increase.

Activity Profiles and Coaching

• 🏃‍♂️ A mixed session activity type allows users to create custom multisport profiles by combining any desired activity types.
• 🏅 Garmin fitness coach compatibility has been extended to include new fitness coach plans, in addition to existing running, cycling, and triathlon plans.
• ✈️ A post-dive activity guidance feature offers advice on safe activities after a dive, such as ascending to higher altitudes.