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The Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Settings on Garmin Forerunner 955

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • Navigating the vast array of features on your Garmin Forerunner 955 can be a rewarding experience, but it all starts with understanding how to access its settings.
  • This guide will walk you through the simple steps of accessing the settings menu, allowing you to customize your watch to perfectly suit your needs.
  • The settings menu is your command center for customizing the Forerunner 955 to your liking.

Navigating the vast array of features on your Garmin Forerunner 955 can be a rewarding experience, but it all starts with understanding how to access its settings. This guide will walk you through the simple steps of accessing the settings menu, allowing you to customize your watch to perfectly suit your needs.

Understanding the Garmin Forerunner 955’s Interface

Before diving into the settings, let’s familiarize ourselves with the basic navigation of the Forerunner 955. The watch boasts a vibrant color touchscreen and five buttons:

  • Top Left Button: This button acts as a “back” button, allowing you to return to previous screens.
  • Top Right Button: This button serves as the “start” or “select” button, confirming actions and initiating activities.
  • Bottom Left Button: This button is used for accessing the “lap” function during activities and navigating through menus.
  • Bottom Right Button: This button is used for accessing the “light” function and navigating through menus.
  • Touchscreen: The touchscreen allows for intuitive scrolling, selecting options, and inputting data.

The Gateway to Customization: Accessing the Settings Menu

There are two primary ways to access the settings menu on your Forerunner 955:
1. From the Watch Face:

  • Press the top right button (the “start” button) to access the widget screen.
  • Scroll through the widgets until you reach the “Settings” widget.
  • Tap on the “Settings” widget to enter the settings menu.

2. From the App Menu:

  • Press the top right button (the “start” button) to access the widget screen.
  • Swipe down from the top of the screen to access the app menu.
  • Scroll through the apps until you find “Settings”.
  • Tap on “Settings” to enter the settings menu.

A World of Options: Exploring the Settings Menu

The settings menu is your command center for customizing the Forerunner 955 to your liking. It’s divided into various categories, each holding a wealth of options:

  • System: This section covers fundamental settings like language, time, date, and units.
  • Activity Profiles: Here, you can manage and customize the settings for your various activities, such as running, cycling, swimming, and more.
  • Sensors & Accessories: This section allows you to pair and manage external sensors and accessories like heart rate monitors, speed sensors, and cadence sensors.
  • Connectivity: This section controls your watch’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, allowing you to sync data with your smartphone and Garmin Connect app.
  • Notifications: Customize how your watch handles notifications from your smartphone, including which apps can send alerts.
  • Safety & Tracking: This section includes features like incident detection, assistance, and live track, enhancing your safety during activities.
  • Sleep: Configure your sleep tracking settings, including sleep goals and sleep quality monitoring.
  • Music: Manage your music playback settings, including controlling music playback from your watch, syncing playlists, and connecting to Bluetooth headphones.
  • Garmin Pay: Set up and manage Garmin Pay for contactless payments directly from your watch.
  • About: This section provides information about your watch’s software version, battery status, and device ID.

Navigating the Settings Menu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve accessed the settings menu, navigating through the various options is straightforward:

  • Scrolling: Use your finger to scroll through the list of settings categories.
  • Selecting: Tap on a category to access its settings.
  • Sub-Menus: Some settings categories have sub-menus. Tap on the desired option to explore further.
  • Confirmation: Most settings require confirmation. Tap the **”Start” button** (top right) to confirm your selection.

Fine-Tuning Your Experience: Customizing Key Settings

The Forerunner 955 offers extensive customization options. Here are some key settings you might want to adjust:

  • Activity Profiles: Tailor the settings for each activity you engage in. For example, you can set specific data fields, pace alerts, and auto-lap settings for your running profile.
  • Notifications: Choose which apps can send notifications to your watch and customize the notification style (vibration, sound, or both).
  • Sleep: Set your sleep goals and enable advanced features like sleep quality monitoring and sleep stage detection.
  • Music: Sync your favorite playlists from compatible streaming services to your watch for offline listening.
  • Garmin Pay: Add your credit or debit card information to make contactless payments directly from your watch.

Unlocking the Full Potential: Tips for Effective Settings Management

  • Explore the Settings Menu: Take time to explore the entire settings menu to discover all the available options.
  • Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings to find what works best for you.
  • Read the User Manual: The user manual provides detailed explanations of each setting and its functions.
  • Use the Garmin Connect App: The Garmin Connect app offers additional settings and customization options, allowing you to fine-tune your watch’s behavior.

Beyond the Basics: Taking Your Customization to the Next Level

For even more customization, take advantage of the following features:

  • Garmin Connect IQ Store: Download and install custom watch faces, widgets, and apps from the Garmin Connect IQ Store.
  • Custom Data Fields: Create custom data fields to display specific metrics during your activities.
  • Workout Creator: Create and download custom workouts to your watch.

Final Words: Mastering Your Garmin Forerunner 955

By understanding the settings menu and its various options, you can unlock the full potential of your Garmin Forerunner 955. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, customizing your watch to suit your needs will enhance your experience and help you achieve your goals.

What People Want to Know

1. How do I change the watch face on my Garmin Forerunner 955?
You can change the watch face from the widget screen. Press the top right button to access the widget screen, then swipe left or right to scroll through the available watch faces. Tap on the watch face you want to use to select it.
2. Can I customize the data fields displayed during my workouts?
Yes, you can customize the data fields displayed during your workouts. Go to Settings > Activity Profiles and select the activity profile you want to customize. Then, choose **Data Screens** and tap on the data screen you want to edit. You can add, remove, and rearrange the data fields to your liking.
3. How do I connect my Garmin Forerunner 955 to my smartphone?
To connect your watch to your smartphone, download the Garmin Connect app to your phone. Then, go to **Settings > Connectivity** on your watch and select **Bluetooth**. Enable Bluetooth and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your watch with your phone.
4. How do I update the software on my Garmin Forerunner 955?
To update the software on your watch, connect it to your computer using a USB cable. Open the Garmin Express app on your computer and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the latest software update.
5. What are the different types of notifications I can receive on my Garmin Forerunner 955?
You can receive notifications for calls, texts, emails, calendar events, and other app alerts on your watch. You can customize the notification settings in Settings > Notifications.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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