Garmin smartwatches usable again after applying new stable update

Garmin has started updating its Instinct 3 series smartwatches with new stable firmware. To recap, the company recently issued a beta update containing bug fixes for several outstanding issues. As we discussed at the time, the primary of these was one that restored full passcode functionality.

Now, Garmin has transitioned that update to its stable software branch. In the process, it has replaced Software Version 14.14, which arrived under a month ago with multiple bug fixes of its own. By contrast, Software Version 14.15 is said to contain a mere two bug fixes, as the screenshot below shows.

Nonetheless, Instinct E smartwatches (curr. $299 on Amazon) should always unlock again after entering a correct passcode. Moreover, Garmin claims to have addressed a separate issue that could result in garbled characters being shown on its Heart Rate Broadcast screen.

This latter bug applies to all other third-generation Instinct smartwatches too, as well as Solar models. Garmin stresses that Software Version 14.15 has only reached around 20% of eligible smartwatches so far. Typically, the company a few days to push a new stable update to all smartwatches.