What To Know
- This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of how to get to settings on your Garmin Forerunner 955, empowering you to customize your experience and unlock the full potential of your smartwatch.
- The watch utilizes a combination of buttons and a touchscreen interface.
- The watch’s color display functions as a touchscreen, allowing you to scroll through menus, select options, and interact with various features.
The Garmin Forerunner 955 is a powerful and versatile GPS smartwatch packed with features for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. But with so many options and settings, navigating the device can be a bit daunting, especially for new users. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of how to get to settings on your Garmin Forerunner 955, empowering you to customize your experience and unlock the full potential of your smartwatch.
Getting Started: Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the settings menu, it’s essential to understand the fundamental navigation methods of the Garmin Forerunner 955. The watch utilizes a combination of buttons and a touchscreen interface.
- Buttons: The Forerunner 955 features five buttons:
- Top Left: Back button
- Top Right: Start/Stop button
- Bottom Left: Lap button
- Bottom Right: Light button
- Center: Select button
- Touchscreen: The watch’s color display functions as a touchscreen, allowing you to scroll through menus, select options, and interact with various features.
Accessing the Settings Menu: The Gateway to Customization
The settings menu is your command center for tweaking your Garmin Forerunner 955 to fit your specific needs and preferences. Here’s how to access it:
1. From the Watch Face: Press the **Top Right (Start/Stop) button** to access the watch face.
2. Navigating to the Settings: Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the quick settings panel.
3. Selecting Settings: Tap on the **Settings icon** (a gear symbol) to enter the settings menu.
Exploring the Settings Menu: A Journey of Customization
Once you’ve accessed the settings menu, you’ll be presented with a list of categories covering various aspects of your Garmin Forerunner 955. Here’s a breakdown of some key categories and their functionalities:
1. System: Controlling the Core Functionality
The System settings category allows you to manage the fundamental aspects of your watch, including:
- Time & Date: Set the time, date, and time zone.
- Language: Choose your preferred language for the watch interface.
- Units: Select your desired units for measurements (e.g., metric or imperial).
- Display: Adjust the screen brightness, auto-backlight settings, and display mode (color or grayscale).
- Sounds & Haptics: Customize the notification sounds, haptic feedback, and vibration intensity.
- Do Not Disturb: Activate Do Not Disturb mode to silence notifications during specific times.
2. Sensors: Fine-Tuning Your Data Collection
The Sensors category provides control over the various sensors that power your Forerunner 955’s data collection capabilities:
- GPS: Enable or disable GPS functionality and select GPS modes (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, Galileo).
- Heart Rate: Configure your heart rate sensor settings, including the type of sensor used (wrist-based or chest strap).
- Pulse Ox: Manage the pulse oximeter settings, including the frequency of measurements.
- Compass: Calibrate the compass and enable or disable compass data recording.
- Barometer: Configure the barometer settings and enable or disable altitude data recording.
- Thermometer: Access temperature sensor settings and enable or disable temperature readings.
3. Activity Profiles: Tailoring Your Workouts
The Activity Profiles category allows you to customize the settings for specific types of workouts:
- Add Profile: Create new activity profiles for different types of exercises (e.g., running, cycling, swimming).
- Edit Profile: Modify the settings for existing activity profiles, including data fields, alerts, and auto-lap settings.
- Delete Profile: Remove activity profiles that you no longer need.
4. Connect IQ: Expanding Your Watch’s Functionality
The Connect IQ category lets you download and install apps, watch faces, and data fields from the Garmin Connect IQ Store:
- Store: Access the Connect IQ Store to browse and download new content.
- My Apps: Manage the apps you’ve downloaded and installed on your watch.
- My Watch Faces: Customize your watch face with new designs and themes.
- My Data Fields: Add custom data fields to display additional information during workouts.
5. Safety & Tracking: Enhancing Your Security
The Safety & Tracking category provides features to enhance your safety and security during activities:
- Incident Detection: Enable automatic incident detection, which sends your location and emergency contacts if a fall or accident is detected.
- LiveTrack: Share your real-time location with friends and family during your activities.
- Assistance: Send an SOS signal to emergency contacts with your location information.
Navigating the Settings: Tips and Tricks
- Use the Touchscreen: Utilize the touchscreen to scroll through lists, select options, and navigate menus.
- Use the Buttons: The buttons provide quick access to specific functions and menus.
- Search Functionality: The settings menu includes a search bar to quickly find specific settings.
- Read the Descriptions: Each setting option comes with a brief description to help you understand its purpose.
Wrapping Up: Mastering Your Garmin Forerunner 955
By understanding the navigation methods and exploring the various settings categories, you can personalize your Garmin Forerunner 955 to meet your specific needs and optimize your fitness journey. From adjusting the display to customizing activity profiles, the power of customization lies at your fingertips.
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
Q: Can I change the watch face on my Garmin Forerunner 955?
A: Yes, you can customize your watch face by downloading new designs from the Connect IQ Store or by choosing from the pre-installed options.
Q: How do I connect my Garmin Forerunner 955 to my smartphone?
A: You can connect your watch to your smartphone using the Garmin Connect app. Download the app from your phone’s app store and follow the pairing instructions.
Q: Can I use my Garmin Forerunner 955 for swimming?
A: Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 955 is water-resistant and can be used for swimming. It offers features like stroke detection and pace calculations for swimming workouts.
Q: How do I update the software on my Garmin Forerunner 955?
A: You can update the software on your watch through the Garmin Connect app. When a new update is available, the app will notify you and guide you through the update process.
Q: Can I use my Garmin Forerunner 955 to make payments?
A: The Garmin Forerunner 955 does not support contactless payments. However, some other Garmin smartwatch models offer payment functionality.
