{"id":391361,"date":"2026-01-06T08:40:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T08:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/391361\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T08:40:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T08:40:12","slug":"garmins-top-smartwatches-are-getting-a-massive-free-software-update-here-are-the-2-best-new-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/391361\/","title":{"rendered":"Garmin\u2019s top smartwatches are getting a massive free software update \u2014 here are the 2 best new features"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you want to enjoy the latest features on your Garmin watch, it\u2019s worth signing up for the brand\u2019s public beta programme<\/a>, which gives you access to software updates before they are fully launched.<\/p>\n

I sign up for the programme on any Garmin I test, and if you have one of the best Garmin watches<\/a> launched in the last year or so, the latest beta software update is well worth downloading.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Along with a host of minor updates and bug fixes, the update includes two great new features in the battery manager and sports scores widgets. I\u2019ve been using these for the past few days, and the battery manager in particular is very useful in showing what is draining the juice on your watch.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

Which Garmin watches can get the update?<\/p>\n

\n

\"Garmin\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

The software update has rolled out to all of Garmin\u2019s latest watches, though there are slight differences in the exact features and fixes each model gets.<\/p>\n

All of the below get the battery manager and sports scores features, though:<\/p>\n

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, Fenix E & Fenix 8Garmin Enduro 3Garmin Forerunner 570Garmin Forerunner 970Garmin Venu X1Garmin Venu 4Garmin Vivoactive 6Garmin Quatix 8 & Tactix 8 Series<\/p>\n

To get this update, you have to be part of the public beta programme, which you sign up for using the Garmin Connect website.<\/p>\n

Once part of the programme, the software update will eventually pop up on your watch automatically, but if you want to push it through, go to settings on the watch, then hit system, then software update, and check for updates.<\/p>\n

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n

Battery manager<\/p>\n

\n

\"Garmin\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

This widget shows how and why your battery has drained since your last charge, and estimates how many more days of use you\u2019ll get out of your watch.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s similar to a feature you get on Coros watches, as well as third-party Garmin Connect IQ apps I\u2019ve used in the past, and it can be an eye-opener in showing what\u2019s actually draining your watch.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Garmin\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

For me, the biggest surprise is how much battery is drained through the connection to my phone, which is something I now turn off at times to boost my battery life.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

The widget shows your battery use over time in a bar chart you can scroll through to see periods of more intense use, which are explained by things like tracking an outdoor activity using the GPS, or using the flashlight on your watch.<\/p>\n

Sports scores<\/p>\n

\n

\"Garmin\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

This is a great addition for any Garmin user who tracks a major sports team, because the widget will show both their latest results and upcoming fixtures.<\/p>\n

So far 14 leagues are supported, including several European soccer leagues alongside the biggest US ones, and you can select your favorite teams in multiple different sports and leagues.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Garmin\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

I have it set up to track the (frequently dismal) results of Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA.<\/p>\n

As a Brit, I\u2019m not entirely sure how I ended up becoming a dedicated Hornets fan in 2012, but it\u2019s proved a devastatingly poor choice in the years since.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Google\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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More from Tom’s Guide<\/p>\n

Today’s best Garmin Forerunner 970, Garmin Forerunner 165, Garmin Forerunner 265 and Garmin Fenix 8 deals<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you want to enjoy the latest features on your Garmin watch, it\u2019s worth signing up for the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":391362,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[49,48,195,61],"class_list":{"0":"post-391361","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gadgets","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-gadgets","11":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/391361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=391361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/391361\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/391362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=391361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=391361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=391361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}