Garmin pushes new bug fixes to older high-end smartwatches with latest update

Garmin has pushed a new beta update to the Fenix 6 series, which is also available across Enduro, Tactix Delta, Quatix 6 and Marq smartwatches. To recap, Garmin rolled out various stable updates earlier this month for Fenix 7 and recent Forerunner models. While there was no equivalent stable update for the Fenix 6 and its peers, the lack of beta builds implied that Garmin had finished its v26.xx development cycle.

Surprisingly, the company has brought forth Beta Version 26.85, an update that replaces the six-week-old Beta Version 26.82. Nonetheless, Beta Version 26.85 only contains five bug fixes, which are as follows:

• Fixed an issue to ensure training load is properly calculated when using the Store & Forward feature on supported Garmin HRM straps.
• Fixed an issue where the device would sometimes shutdown when viewing the map on the Fish activity.
• Fixed an issue with audio prompts on workouts not playing the correct messages.
• Fixed an issue with auto runs on the Ski activity from not always starting on a descent.
• Fixed an issue with auto pause on the Ski activity from improperly activating.

For some reason, Garmin is not offering Beta Version 25.85 as an over-the-air (OTA) update. Instead, you must manually install the new update, download links for which can be found on Garmin's forum post. Unfortunately, Garmin has not confirmed when it will share a new stable update for the Fenix 6 series. Instead, it has affirmed that Beta Version 25.85 features 19 changes since v26.00, the series' last stable update:

• Added Device Settings Backup and Restore.
• Added manual SW updates using Wi-Fi to the settings menu (Pro models only).
• Added CIQ App Rating to all CIQ Types (no longer restricted to "Apps" only).
• Improved quality of randomness of music shuffling (Pro models only).
• Fixed an issue with alarm tones not activating when an activity is set to max battery.
• Fixed an issue where some Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, and Greek text would not display properly.
• Fixed an issue where the Indoor Bike Activity would default to the first set of data fields.
• Fixed potential issue where the “Safety Features Enabled” notification would continually be displayed.
• Fixed an issue where devices would not play a tone nor vibrate after acquiring GPS in an activity.
• Added tracking of splits for Ski.
• Added the ability to check for software updates via Bluetooth.
• Updated software backup to display a message when backup is from an incompatible source.
• Removed the limitation on the number of points allowed in a course.
• Fixed an issue when pairing to new CT10 golf club types.
• Fixed an issue to ensure training load is properly calculated when using the Store & Forward feature on supported Garmin HRM straps.
• Fixed an issue where the device would sometimes shutdown when viewing the map on the Fish activity.
• Fixed an issue with audio prompts on workouts not playing the correct messages.
• Fixed an issue with auto runs on the Ski activity from not always starting on a descent.
• Fixed an issue with auto pause on the Ski activity from improperly activating.

Purchase the Garmin Fenix 6 on Amazon