Garmin’s beta software program gives you early access to new features — here’s how to sign up

Garmin Fenix 8
(Image credit: Future)

The best Garmin watches come loaded with incredible features to help you track your daily activity and workouts, and your watch will continue to improve years after you’ve bought it thanks to the regular software updates that Garmin releases.

Garmin tends to release software updates on a quarterly cycle and while many of these are simple bug fixes, there are usually some more exciting new features as well, whether it’s the latest features rolling out to older or cheaper watches or something entirely new being introduced.

All of these updates roll out to the general public eventually, but if you want early access to them you can sign up to the Garmin public beta program. This means your watch will get the updates before the public release — usually 30-40 days beforehand, in fact.

If, like me, you’re a long-term Garmin watch user who wants to try features as soon as possible, it’s well worth doing. The public beta program is free and easy to use, and I’ve been on it for several years and only have positive things to report about it.

What is the Garmin beta software program?

The program allows Garmin users to sign up for beta software updates, so you get access to features before they are rolled out to the general public. The program also gives you access to a Garmin forum where you can report any bugs with new features and discuss them with other users.

This gives Garmin the feedback they need to make sure the features work perfectly before rolling out to everyone, while those who sign up get access to new stuff first.

Garmin Instinct 3

(Image credit: Future)

How to sign up for the Garmin beta software program

How to sign up for the Garmin beta software program

To sign up for the beta program you need to log into the Garmin Connect website (connect.garmin.com).

Next, select your device by clicking the watch icon in the top-right of the screen and picking the watch or bike computer you want to enroll.

On the device page you see an option to ‘Join Beta Software program’. Click that and you’re in, simple as that.

What Garmin devices are eligible for the beta program?

Most Garmin watches and bike computers are eligible from the program, with the only ones excluded being some devices that were released more than five years ago. You can see the full list of eligible devices on the Garmin website, but as a general reference, both the Garmin Fenix 6 and Garmin Forerunner 245 are included, and they both came out back in 2019.

How do I know if my Garmin is up to date?

Garmin Fenix 8

(Image credit: Future)

Once you’re enrolled on the beta program, the updates will roll out to your watch automatically if you select that option on your watch, but sometimes I find this can take a bit of time. Fortunately you can make your watch check for any new updates manually.

To check to see if you’re on the latest software on your watch start by holding the menu button, then selecting ‘System’ at the bottom of the list, then ‘Software Update’ and ‘Check For Updates’. This will check to see if any updates are available for your watch.

How do I update my Garmin to the latest software?

Garmin Instinct 3

(Image credit: Future)

The updates do download automatically over time, but you can force your watch onto the latest software by following the process above to check for updates and then selecting download update. Once your watch has downloaded the latest software you can choose to install it now or later.

Is there any risk?

Garmin Forerunner 965

(Image credit: Future)

While it’s called beta software, the truth is that any updates Garmin makes available to the public via this beta program have already been very well-tested behind the scenes.

That said, there is more risk to installing the software than waiting for the version rolled out to the general public. I’ve had zero issues with any of the watches I’ve tested on the program so far but you're more likely to experience bugs and other problems with the new software.

You can log any issues you do have on the Garmin Forum – which is after all the main point of the beta program — and you’ll then get help from Garmin to resolve them. You can report issues on the Garmin Connect website in the same place you signed up for the beta program — just click ‘Report a Beta Software Issue’ on your device page and you’ll be taken to the Garmin Forum to log your problem.

How do you leave the Garmin beta software program?

If you decide you don’t want to be on the program anymore you leave it the same way you came in. Log in to the Garmin Connect website, click your watch from the devices drop-down, and then click ‘Leave Beta Software Program’.

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Nick Harris-Fry
Senior Writer

Nick Harris-Fry is an experienced health and fitness journalist, writing professionally since 2012. He spent nine years working on the Coach magazine and website before moving to the fitness team at Tom’s Guide in 2024. Nick is a keen runner and also the founder of YouTube channel The Run Testers, which specialises in reviewing running shoes, watches, headphones and other gear.

Nick ran his first marathon in 2016 after six weeks of training for a magazine feature and subsequently became obsessed with the sport. He now has PBs of 2hr 27min for the marathon and 15min 30sec for 5K, and has run 13 marathons in total, as well as a 50-mile ultramarathon. Nick is also a qualified Run Leader in the UK.

Nick is an established expert in the health and fitness area and along with writing for many publications, including Live Science, Expert Reviews, Wareable, Coach and Get Sweat Go, he has been quoted on The Guardian and The Independent.

  • HappyPenguin
    The writer of this article fails to address the critical implications of joining Garmin's beta software program, particularly concerning health monitoring features and writes from a sing song, "everything is great" perspective. The omissions are irresponsible to say the least.

    TLDNR: If you currently use or may use health monitoring features, be aware that Garmin, and others, may disable or reduce their reliability in beta software releases. Weigh your own risks and needs before opting in, as these features might be unavailable or unreliable in times of need, potentially contributing to injury or death.
    For those with heart conditions, the ECG (Electrocardiogram) app, might not be functional during beta phases, and may even be disabled, as Garmin's own disclosures indicate.

    For workout enthusiast, other health monitoring functions like heart rate tracking and alerts could be compromised, leading to inaccurate readings or missed high heart rate and low heart rate notifications, which is particularly dangerous for users who have become dependent on these for health and workout management.

    For divers, the scuba and apnea dive apps could become unreliable or unavailable, posing safety risks. Again, see Garmin's disclosures.

    For everyone, general device stability and battery life might also be affected, crucial considerations in emergencies or during long activities.

    To be clear: the beta software, while tested thoroughly by Garmin and possibly fine if all you do is check the time , is not for everyday users who use some other devices most marketable features or rely on Garmin's accuracy, longevity, or reliability. The beta is for developers to make sure their software works and users who are able to weigh the risks - without referring to resources that omit them.
    This writer's portrayal is part of a continuing and growing trend where content creators, including others from reputable sources, write glowing "latest feature" reviews and promotions with little regard to end user risk.

    This trend could stem from ignorance to how users actually employ the promoted devices in their daily lives, misrepresenting the writers actual use of promoted devices, negligence to how impactful the devices are in users lives, or a blatant disregard for the impact their writing might have - yes, it would be arguable that an end user may look for drawbacks of joining the beta (search engine), find and read this article, decide it's okay for them, and decided to join.

    It's imperative for content creators to encourage readers to review manufacturer disclosures and critically evaluate the potential loss of health monitoring capabilities against the allure of new features, especially as smart watches edge towards medical device territory - either by intent or by end user reliance.

    Tom's Guide and it's writers should also yield more responsibility in their writing and prioritize good writing over "glowing writing", especially as they grow and developed to become credible authorities of information and advice.
    Reply