Garmin releases software version 18.14 for Venu X1, Vivoactive 6, and Venu 4 smartwatches
Garmin has started rolling out a new software update for several of its popular smartwatches, including the Garmin Venu X1, Vivoactive 6, and Venu 4. The update, identified as software version 18.14, focuses mainly on improving stability, fixing bugs, and making everyday use smoother for owners.
While this release does not appear to bring major new features, it delivers several practical improvements that could make a real difference during workouts, music playback, and daily smartwatch use. For Garmin Venu X1 users in particular, the changelog is more detailed and includes fixes aimed at preventing frustrating interruptions during activities.
One of the most useful changes affects water-based activities. Garmin says the touchscreen on the Venu X1 should now be properly disabled during these sessions. This is an important improvement for activities such as snorkeling or swimming, where water contact can accidentally trigger taps, swipes, or unwanted menu changes. With this fix, users should be able to focus more on their activity and less on accidental screen inputs.
The update also addresses stability problems during specific workouts. Garmin has fixed issues that could cause the smartwatch to crash or restart while tracking indoor climbing or rowing machine activities. For users who rely on accurate workout data, this should help ensure training sessions are recorded more reliably from start to finish.
Audio handling has also been improved in software version 18.14. Garmin has fixed a problem where volume controls did not work correctly while Focus Mode was enabled. Another change prevents the watch from suddenly playing audio through its built-in speaker if a Bluetooth headphone connection drops. Instead, playback through the speaker is temporarily blocked, helping avoid unexpected sound in public spaces, gyms, or quiet environments.
Alarm behavior has received attention as well. Garmin says alarms set to vibration-only mode should now remain silent as expected. This is a small but welcome fix for anyone who uses their smartwatch as a discreet alarm or reminder during meetings, travel, or sleep.
The update also includes refinements for Garmin Coach training plans, though the company has not detailed every change. These improvements may help users following structured training programs get a more polished experience.
Software version 18.14 is currently available as a beta update. Eligible users can request the update directly through their Garmin smartwatch. As with most beta releases, users who prefer maximum stability may want to wait until Garmin pushes the software to the wider public release channel.
Overall, Garmin’s latest smartwatch update is focused on refinement rather than flashy additions. For Venu X1, Vivoactive 6, and Venu 4 owners, version 18.14 should deliver a more dependable experience, especially during workouts, water activities, audio playback, and daily notifications.
