This update which has a firmware code of 12.38 is a follow-up to the firmware version 12.35 that was released two months ago.
While the firmware version 12.35 provided several bug fixes and restricted Workout Execution score to running and cycling-related workouts, this current update fixes a bug related to GPS acquisition.
The change log for this update lists only one amendment: a bug fix for an issue linked to GPS acquisition. As a result, the GPS software version has been upgraded from version 2.11 to version 2.60.
Before now, many users have lamented a delay ranging from 1 minute to as much as 5 minutes in their Garmin watch connecting to GPS.
However, some users who have received this update are already confirming significant improvement in GPS acquisition. A user on Reddit claimed GPS acquisition now takes a few seconds, a significant improvement prior to the update.
Moreover, while this update focuses on GPS acquisition, owners of the Fenix 8, Fenix E, and Enduro 3 can also look forward to other improvements.
Garmin also indicated that the update includes miscellaneous bug fixes and general performance enhancements.
Going by a post on the Garmin Forum, a team member indicated the software version 12.38 is already available to 50% of users of the Fenix 8, Fenix E and Enduro.
So, if you have not received the update yet, don’t worry you will receive it soon.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that, as the name indicates, the version 12.38 update is not related to the newer 13.24 software version which is currently in beta testing.
So if you are part of the 13.24 beta testing program, don’t be surprised if you still have the GPS 2.11 version.
Please note that the update process typically takes several minutes to complete.
For a smooth installation, it is recommended that your Garmin watch has sufficient battery life before starting the update process.
Your Garmin watch will automatically restart once the update is finished.
Garmin recommends backing up user data before performing any software update.
Meanwhile, the software version 13.24 is expected to arrive soon with new features such as predictive text, a qwerty keyboard and many more features.