Garmin Removes Manual Sleep Mode Shortcut in Latest Update Causing Widespread User Frustration

What Changed

In the latest Fenix 8 System Software 20.19 update, Garmin introduced a shortcut behavior change: the manual Sleep Mode shortcut is no longer available. For years, users could assign Sleep Mode to any button shortcut, making it possible to mute notifications, dim the display, disable the touchscreen, and prepare for sleep with a single press.

With the latest update, Sleep Mode now lives only inside the Focus Modes menu, and the shortcut option has been removed entirely. There is currently no shortcut for Focus Modes.

Old vs. New Behavior

Previously:

Assign Sleep Mode to a shortcut button for instant activation.Useful for irregular sleepers, shift workers, and anyone who preferred manual control.Reliable nightly routine with minimal friction.

Now:

Sleep Mode exists only as a Focus Mode.No option to assign it to a hotkey or custom shortcut.Users must navigate: hold Light → Focus → Sleep → On.Three to five button presses instead of one.

User Reaction Across Reddit and Garmin Forums

The overall response has been sharply negative, with users calling the removal “textbook Garmin” and questioning why one of the “most used shortcuts” was eliminated without warning. Several noted that they could previously enable Sleep Mode “with eyes closed,” and now must navigate menus while tired.

For shift workers and anyone with irregular schedules, the change is especially disruptive. One user summarized it simply: “Shift workers cannot use schedules. The Sleep shortcut was perfect for us.” Others asked why Garmin didn’t just allow a shortcut to select a Focus Mode directly rather than removing functionality.

Many relied on manual Sleep Mode nightly because auto-sleep detection does not trigger the same behavior profile, and the shortcut offered a predictable, consistent routine. Personally, I used the Sleep Mode shortcut every night, and losing it makes the overall experience noticeably worse.

Why Garmin Made the Change

Garmin has not publicly detailed the reasoning, but available information suggests the company wants all Sleep-related behavior consolidated under Focus Modes. Because the current software does not allow shortcuts to launch or toggle specific Focus Modes, the standalone Sleep Mode toggle was removed to align with this system.

The issue is that Focus Modes were not designed with quick-access shortcuts in mind, and Garmin did not add support for assigning them to hotkeys. As a result, the change feels like a regression in everyday usability.

Workarounds

1. Add Focus to the Controls Menu
Add the Focus tile to the controls wheel (hold Light → Controls → Add). This reduces Sleep Mode activation to three presses instead of one.

2. Use Voice Commands (if supported)
Some devices allow “Sleep Mode On” and “Sleep Mode Off” through voice input.

3. Mirror Sleep Mode Settings into DND
Copy sound, vibration, and notification settings into Do Not Disturb, then assign a DND shortcut. This does not fully match Sleep Mode behavior but gets part of the way there.

Will the Shortcut Return?

According to multiple users who contacted Garmin support, the removal was intentional. Support staff have told customers that the only way to influence a reversal is to open individual support tickets, as forum posts do not count toward internal tracking.

If this feature matters to you, contacting Garmin Support directly is currently the most effective path. Garmin did recently reverse and Android Do Not Disturb Update after user backlash.