Overview
Garmin has released Beta Version 18.19 for the Venu 4 family. The update is available to watches enrolled in Garmin's Public Beta Program.
The release addresses unexpected resets and battery drain, improves the activity flashlight shortcut, corrects running tolerance and PacePro, fixes LiveTrack recipient syncing, and resolves a group of music, spoken-audio, and text-display defects.
Update Details
- Devices: Garmin Venu 4 and Venu 4S
- Software Version: 18.19 Beta
- Channel: Public Beta Program
- Availability: Available to enrolled devices
- Install Path: Main menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates
- Official Announcement: Garmin Forums
Garmin Venu 4 Beta 18.19 Changelog
Reliability, Battery, and Training
- Improved the flashlight shortcut so it cycles through on, off, and strobe modes during an activity.
- Fixed various issues that could cause the watch to reset.
- Fixed running tolerance incorrectly showing as 0.
- Fixed an issue that could cause shorter-than-expected battery life.
- Restored goal pace and goal time options when creating a PacePro plan on the watch.
LiveTrack, Music, and Audio
- Fixed edits to on-watch LiveTrack recipients not appearing in Garmin Connect Mobile.
- Fixed audio spectator messages being cut off before completion.
- Fixed music volume jumping to 100% when a timer expired during an activity.
- Fixed music switching to the watch speakers after headphones were turned off.
- Fixed Back-button presses or palming the screen failing to cancel the spoken watch face.
- Fixed the spoken time and date failing to play on hourly alerts.
- Fixed button tones being extremely quiet or inaudible.
Display and Other Fixes
- Fixed text being cut off in goal alerts during activities.
- Fixed blank space appearing before a long sequence of text messages.
- Fixed other minor issues.
Important ECG Limitation
Garmin states that the ECG App is disabled in this stage of beta software for the Venu 4 and Venu 4S. Users who need ECG access should remain on stable firmware instead of joining the beta program.
Garmin expects to restore ECG in beta versions approaching a live release. Compatible watches on live software keep ECG access.
What the Main Fixes Mean
Battery Runtime Should Be More Predictable
The changelog confirms a fix for shorter-than-expected battery life without naming one cause. It corrects abnormal behavior but does not change Garmin's official battery-life specification.
Workout Tools Receive Practical Repairs
Running tolerance should no longer display 0 incorrectly, and PacePro plan creation once again offers goal pace and goal time. Goal-alert text should also fit the activity screen correctly.
Music Volume Should No Longer Jump to Maximum
Version 18.19 fixes the timer condition that could push music volume to 100% during an activity. It also improves headphone-to-speaker behavior, spoken watch-face cancellation, hourly spoken alerts, and button tones.
How to Install Venu 4 Beta 18.19
After enrolling the watch in Garmin's Public Beta Program:
- Open the Main menu.
- Select Settings.
- Open System.
- Select Software Update.
- Choose Check For Updates.
Do not install this beta if continued ECG access is more important than testing the new fixes.
Conclusion
Venu 4 Beta 18.19 is a useful reliability update for battery, resets, training metrics, PacePro, LiveTrack, and audio. The ECG limitation remains the deciding factor for users considering whether to join this beta phase.