Garmin Fenix 8 Gets “OK Garmin” Voice Commands in 23.39 Update

Garmin is rolling out another stable software update for the Fenix 8, and this one brings a feature that could noticeably change how owners interact with the watch.

System Software 23.39 enables Garmin’s new hands-free voice command system using the “OK Garmin” wake phrase. Instead of pressing a button before issuing a command, compatible watches can now start listening when they hear the phrase.

The update also fixes two Spotify problems, including skipped songs when using Bluetooth headphones and a potential watch shutdown when switching playlists. Garmin says the rollout started at 20% of eligible Fenix 8 devices, so it may not appear on every watch immediately.

See Garmin’s official System Software 23.39 announcement

“OK Garmin” finally makes voice commands hands-free

The headline addition is simple:

Say “OK Garmin” → give your command → the watch responds.

Garmin says compatible watches can use hands-free voice control for tasks including starting a timer, beginning an activity and turning on the watch’s flashlight. The company also provides a separate “phone assistant” command for accessing the virtual assistant on a paired smartphone.

That’s a fairly significant difference from voice control that requires interacting with the watch first.

Imagine you’re running at night and want the flashlight. Or you’re wearing gloves. Or you’re halfway through an exercise and don’t want to stop what you’re doing just to navigate the interface.

Being able to say: “OK Garmin, turn on the flashlight” is exactly the sort of small feature that can make a smartwatch feel smarter.

Garmin officially announced the broader hands-free voice-control feature as part of its September feature rollout on September 22. System Software 23.39 is now enabling it on the non-Pro Fenix 8.

This isn’t just another phone-based voice assistant

There’s an important distinction here. Garmin’s voice command system and your smartphone’s voice assistant aren’t exactly the same thing.

The “OK Garmin” wake phrase is intended for controlling compatible Garmin watch functions. Garmin says users can separately say “phone assistant” when they want to access the virtual assistant running on their paired smartphone.

So Garmin is effectively giving users two paths:

That’s useful because many common watch actions don’t need to involve Siri, Google Assistant or another phone-based assistant at all.

For something like starting a workout or switching on the flashlight, keeping the interaction focused on the watch should make more sense.

Software 23.39 also fixes Spotify problems

The voice feature gets the attention, but Garmin has included several bug fixes in 23.39.

Two specifically target Spotify.

Garmin says the update fixes a potential shutdown that could occur when switching Spotify playlists. It also addresses an issue affecting Spotify playback after users skipped songs while listening through paired Bluetooth headphones.

For anyone who leaves their phone behind during a run and streams downloaded Spotify music directly from their Fenix, those are worthwhile fixes.

There’s also another audio-related fix for situations where the watch’s music volume could increase after an alarm sounds.

HIIT users get an important stability fix too

Garmin has also fixed a potential shutdown while using the HIIT activity.

The changelog additionally mentions fixes for the on-screen lap shortcut disappearing during HIIT workouts and a potential reset during a free strength workout.

Garmin also improved the flashlight shortcut so it can cycle between on, off and strobe modes during an activity.

So while “OK Garmin” is the obvious headline, 23.39 is also doing a fair amount of cleanup behind the scenes.

Garmin is building on the much bigger 23.31 update

This update arrives shortly after System Software 23.31, which was a considerably larger release.

Version 23.31 introduced features including suggested quick running workouts, Dive Computer settings sharing through Garmin Share, the XC Ski Indoor activity and improvements to the flashlight shortcut. It also delivered a long list of workout and stability fixes.

In fact, much of the 23.39 changelog overlaps with the earlier release.

The big addition this time is the activation of the “OK Garmin” wake-word functionality, alongside the newer Spotify and HIIT fixes.

That makes 23.39 feel more like a refinement of Garmin’s September software cycle than an entirely new feature package.

Which Garmin watches are getting System Software 23.39?

Here’s where things get slightly confusing.

According to Garmin’s official announcement, System Software 23.39 is currently rolling out to the non-Pro Fenix 8 series. Notebookcheck reports that the release applies to the Fenix 8 and Fenix E, while the Fenix 8 Pro isn’t part of this specific rollout.

Garmin’s broader September feature announcement covers a larger group of devices, including the Fenix 8 series, Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, Venu 4 and vívoactive 6, but that does not mean all of those watches receive the same firmware version.

For example, Garmin’s current support page lists Software Version 18.29 for the vívoactive 6 rather than 23.39.

So don’t go hunting for “23.39” on every Garmin watch that supports features from this software cycle.

What about the Fenix 9?

There’s another reason this update is interesting for Nerdfuse readers.

Garmin launched the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro in August, meaning Garmin is now maintaining the previous-generation Fenix 8 alongside its newest flagship family. Garmin’s newsroom lists the Fenix 9 launch on August 25, while System Software 23.39 is specifically being distributed to older non-Pro Fenix 8 hardware.

We’ve already covered the Fenix 9’s first software update, which focused partly on battery-related improvements.

The arrival of new functionality on the Fenix 8 is therefore a useful reminder that Garmin hasn’t simply moved on from its previous flagship after launching the Fenix 9.

That’s good news for owners who aren’t planning to upgrade hardware every generation.

How to get Garmin System Software 23.39

Garmin says the rollout started at 20%, with availability increasing over time. There is currently no published date for when every eligible device will receive it.

If your Fenix 8 hasn’t received it yet, that doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem.

Garmin says its current feature updates can be installed by enabling automatic updates and syncing through Garmin Connect, or by updating through Garmin Express.

You can also check your watch’s software update settings rather than waiting for the automatic installation.

FAQ

What does the Garmin Fenix 8 23.39 update add?

The biggest addition is hands-free voice commands using the “OK Garmin” wake phrase. The update also includes Spotify, HIIT, workout, audio and stability fixes.

What can you do with “OK Garmin”?

Garmin says hands-free voice control can perform tasks such as starting a timer, starting an activity and activating the flashlight on compatible watches.

Can the Fenix 8 activate my phone’s voice assistant?

Yes. Garmin says users can say “phone assistant” to access the virtual assistant on a paired smartphone.

Does Garmin 23.39 fix Spotify problems?

Yes. Garmin lists fixes for a potential shutdown while switching Spotify playlists and Spotify playback problems after skipping tracks while using paired Bluetooth headphones.

Does the Fenix 8 Pro get System Software 23.39?

This particular release is identified by Garmin as Fenix 8 (Non-Pro) System Software 23.39. Notebookcheck reports that the Fenix 8 Pro isn’t included in this rollout.

Is Garmin 23.39 a beta update?

No. Version 23.39 is a stable system software release, following earlier beta testing and the previous 23.31 stable version.

Why don’t I see Garmin 23.39 yet?

Garmin said the rollout began at approximately 20% of eligible devices and that it would increase the rollout percentage over time.

Research Notes / Sources

Garmin — Fenix 8 System Software 23.39 official changelog

Garmin — September 2026 feature update announcement