Garmin has opened a software beta testing program for the newly launched Garmin Forerunner 955, giving owners the chance to try new features early.
Garmin releases regular updates for all its most recent watches, and offers a user testing program for anyone who wants to help spot any potential bugs in the software, and get first dibs on the new tools.
To join the beta program for the Forerunner 955, log into your Garmin account at connect.garmin.com, then click the watch icon at the top right of the page and select your device. You should now see an information page with details about your watch. Click the link 'Join beta software program', then read through the terms and conditions and click 'Agree' if you're happy to proceed.
Now go into the Garmin Connect app on your phone and make sure automatic software updates are available, and you should receive all beta software updates on your Forerunner 955 as soon as they're available.
Garmin's beta updates are very close to being ready for launch, but if you'd rather get in on the action even sooner, you can download alpha software through Garmin's forums. Bear in mind, however, that this software has been through less testing and is more likely to contain bugs.
In fact The5krunner, which was first to report the addition of the Forerunner 955 to the beta testing program, suggests that for most people, it's better to wait until the release candidate is rolled out, but joining the testing program is very unlikely to cause any harm to your watch and any bugs identified will be fixed with the next update, so it's your choice,
If you want to leave the beta program at any point, just log back into your account on Garmin's website, select your watch again, and click the link to exit.
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