Garmin Fenix 7 And Epix Owners Get A Next-Gen Upgrade

Garmin has released a software update for the Fenix 7 family and second-gen Epix watches that brings important generational improvements.

The software is currently only available as a beta release, but Garmin’s beta program is free to join should you want to get ahead of the pack.

Perhaps the most important change it includes is support for CIQ System 8. This unlocks access to Connect IQ apps made specifically for the latest generation of the Garmin platform.

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Garmin doesn’t make it clear what version of the platform an app is made for on the Connect IQ store, because it’s not something the average watch user should have to worry about. But CIQ 8 will allow for the development of more complicated apps, and is linked to the on-watch face editor seen in the Fenix 8 series, including support for more complicated and involved data fields.

The Fenix 7 is not too far behind the Fenix 8 in getting support for CIQ 8 either.

As I reported back in December, the Fenix 8 family only received a beta with CIQ 8 built-in on December 22. The platform was not in place and ready when the watch was released in August 2024.

The benefits for Fenix 7 owners are coming in the future, then, once developers get their heads around what can be done with CIQ 8 app and watch face development.

What’s In Garmin’s Fenix 20.10 Update?

Garmin’s beta update is numbered version 20.10. It doesn’t come with any other major changes, but here are the other fixes and improvements listed over at the Garmin forums:

• Added connection type information for paired sensors
• Fixed devices not entering MTP mode when gaming sensors are enabled
• Fixed Elevation Alert Tones
• Fixed image drawing for Outdoor Map Plus
• Fixed possible crash in the Coach widget
• Improved smart notification widget to marquee long notifications
• Improved Swim workout rest screen
• Updated Running Track Database
• Various bug fixes and improvements

As with the recent beta release for the Fenix 8 family, installing this update will disable the watches’ ECG feature. “Moving forward, the Beta software available for the Fenix 7 series will have the ECG feature disabled,” says Garmin.

I recommend waiting for an update further down the line, given the CIQ 8 support it adds isn’t hugely beneficial just yet.