New Garmin Fenix 8 beta update adds passcode feature and other improvements

Less than a week has passed since Garmin started rolling out Beta Version 13.21 to the Fenix 8 with more than a dozen improvements over its prior beta update. Although a new stable update is nowhere to be found yet, Garmin managed to break plenty of cycling and smartwatches running stable software earlier this week with a new 'triangle of death' bootloop.

Having now claimed to have resolved the underlying issue that resulted in system crashes, Garmin has returned to its Beta Program with another update for the Enduro 3, Fenix E and Fenix 8 (curr. $1,099.99 on Amazon). On the face of it, Beta Version 13.22 makes 11 changes from Beta Version 13.21, of which five are new features:

• Added Passcode Support: when enabled for extra security, you will be prompted to enter your PIN to regain access to your watch after it was taken off your wrist.
• Added Solar Intensity and Accumulation Data Fields (Solar models only).
• Added Haptic Vibration to Number Pad Pages.
• Added Hint Button to Training Load Ratio Page.
• Added Swedish and Danish Layouts to the QWERTY Keyboard.

The new update is also the first sign of Garmin's rumoured Q1 2025 stable update, details of which leaked earlier this month. Additionally, Beta Version 13.22 is said to improve Stage Card functionality while addressing five outstanding bugs, such as one that prevented the map app from offering round-trip course navigation. The contact list should now be presented correctly when large font mode is activated, too.

Beta Version 13.22 can be downloaded now globally for Enduro 3, Fenix E and Fenix 8 smartwatches that have been enrolled on Garmin's Beta Program. Typically, new beta updates arrive within 48 hours of being posted. If that has not occurred in your case, you can trigger a new download by heading to Menu, System, Software Update and then tapping Check for Updates. Please note that Garmin offers the following guidance on its new passcode feature.