Garmin update image
Garmin
Garmin has announced both an update to its Connect platform and a February 2026 software update for select Garmin watch series including the most recent Fenix and Forerunner models.
Changes that every Garmin watch user will get to enjoy are those that apply to the Connect platform in general, rather than a specific watch.
Garmin says it has revamped its gear system, which lets you link workouts to the shoes and other items you used during exercise, to monitor their longevity. It has “expanded” the inventory of items and introduced Gear Collections, which group several items together to save you time.
Gear can also automatically be linked to certain types of activity, which will be useful to those who use the same pair of shoes for 90 per cent of their runs, rides or hikes. This change addresses one of the core issues with Garmin’s gear-tracking, that it is just inconvenient enough to put plenty of folks off routinely using it.
Gear Tracking stats are also now available to view directly on the screens of the following watch series:
Venu X1Venu 4Vivoactive 6Forerunner 570 Foreruner 970Fenix 8Fenix 8 ProFenix EEnduro 3Quatix 8 Quatix 8 ProD2 Mach 2
Some other features get a tweak with the February 2026 update too. Sleep tracking now shows what Garmin calls your sleep alignment, which looks at how close your actual sleep behaviour tracks with what the watch believes is your current Circadian rhythm.
It’s going to be yet another way for your Garmin watch to make you feel bad about how well you sleep. This feature was introduced in the Garmin Venu 4, and now makes its way to other watches including the Fenix 8 family and Forerunner 570/970.
The more hardcore crowd of Garmin wearables, including those plus the Venu X1, also get a new Course Planner feature. This is where you can add time and location markers to activities, in order to enhance tracking of events like marathons other larger sessions — Garmin suggests you might use it for cut-off times or aid stations.
As mentioned in a recent write-up of a Garmin software update, a Sports Scores screen is also coming to a bunch of models, including the latest Venu, Vivoactive, Forerunner and Fenix watches.
Other fresh changes include watch voice alerts for cars spotted by a connected Varia bike radar and Garmin Fitness Coach, which is a new way to get a personalised training plan. It was introduced in the Venu 4 and now makes its way to other watches.
In typical Garmin watch fashion, models that get new features in the February 2026 vary per feature. The easiest way to see if yours is on the guest list is to check out Garmin’s own summary PDF.