Garmin has officially initiated the rollout of Beta Version 21.12, a comprehensive software overhaul designed for its premium lineup. This update targets owners of the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Enduro 3, and Tactix 8. Rather than a minor patch, 21.12 introduces a sprawling list of functional additions and quality-of-life refinements that touch everything from music playback to advanced diving metrics.
Note: This Beta Software 21.12 Disables ECG, Aviation, and Dive features.Â
Elevated Navigation and Outdoor Tools
Outdoor enthusiasts will notice several upgrades to their navigational experience. Garmin has introduced a dedicated Course Planner and integrated Cycling Safety Voice Alerts to keep riders informed without needing to glance at their wrists. Additionally, the update addresses a long-standing request by adding Post-Dive Activity guidance and fixing issues with geographical points of interest. Map performance has also been bolstered with faster loading times for long-distance courses and UI improvements during active tracking.
Advanced Health and Fitness Intelligence
The fitness suite receives a significant boost with the debut of Garmin Fitness Coach and the Optimal Sleep Window feature. To help users better understand their recovery, a Sleep Alignment metric has been added to the Sleep Glance. For those tracking specific metrics, new glances for Weight Tracking and Lifestyle Logging are now available. Garmin has also expanded activity support with a “Mixed Session” type and added floors climbed data to the daily Evening Report.
Refined User Interface and Accessibility
A major focus of this build is accessibility and customization. A new Accessibility menu has been integrated into the system settings, alongside font scaling for the Garmin Messenger app. Users can now enjoy Album Art backgrounds during music playback and have more control over aesthetics with new Display Color Modes. Notably, the Always-on Display (AOD) now supports a seconds-counter, allowing for precise timekeeping without waking the device.
Critical Bug Fixes and Stability Enhancements
Beta 21.12 squashes a wide array of bugs that previously hindered the user experience. Key fixes include:
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Heart Rate Accuracy: Resolved issues where abnormal heart rate alerts displayed invalid data.
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System Stability: Patched potential crashes in the Weather map, Flashlight toggles, and Yoga activities.
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Connectivity: Fixed synchronization errors between the device and Garmin Connect regarding “move time” and backlight settings.
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UI Polish: Corrected overlapping text in reports, improved the “Red Shift” display mode, and fixed jumpy animations on Solar-powered models.
How to Install the 21.12 Beta
Garmin users enrolled in the Beta program can pull the update immediately via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. To manually trigger the download:
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Open the Menu on your watch.
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Navigate to System.
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Select Software Update.
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Tap Check For Updates.
Change Log Summary:
- Added ability to show seconds when in Always on Display mode.
- Added Accessibility menu.
- Added Album art background for Music Controls.
- Added Battery Manager.
- Added confirmation page when selecting language.
- Added Course Planner.
- Added Cycling safety Voice Alerts.
- Added Display Color Modes.
- Added font scaling to Garmin Messenger.
- Added Garmin Fitness Coach.
- Added help text to many menus.
- Added Lifestyle Logging glance.
- Added missed notifications prompt after finishing an activity.
- Added Mixed Session activity type.
- Added more Alarm sounds options.
- Added new Voice settings menu.
- Added Optimal Sleep Window.
- Added option to see floors climbed in Evening Report.
- Added Post-Dive Activity guidance.
- Added Sleep Alignment to Sleep glance.
- Added Smart Notifications to the Stage Status menu.
- Added Sports Scores.
- Added support to launch the Health Status app with Voice Commands.
- Added translated “Loading” string when switching languages.
- Added Weight Tracking glance.
- Fixed abnormal heart rate alerts showing invalid heart rate.
- Fixed Archery crashing when saving and disappearing when resetting the device.
- Fixed Asian date formatting.
- Fixed blank page showing when leaving CIQ music during activities.
- Fixed Bouldering activity difficulty selection list not starting focused on the last difficulty selected.
- Fixed Focus Mode settings updated toast appearing after using Find My Phone in Sleep Mode.
- Fixed Focus Mode settings updated toast appearing on keyboard.
- Fixed Geographical Points missing from the Places of Interest list.
- Fixed issue where 5% backlight could not be selected through Garmin Connect Mobile.
- Fixed issue where always-on display toggle in Garmin Connect Mobile would not save.
- Fixed issue where Assistance would show a focus mode settings updated toast.
- Fixed issue where battery saver mode would not turn off the always-on display.
- Fixed issue where device would crash when editing pinned activities through Garmin Connect Mobile.
- Fixed issue where edit weight option was present in Cardio activity.
- Fixed issue where Messenger voice messages would not display the text caption.
- Fixed issue where mobility move time would be inconsistent between device and Garmin Connect.
- Fixed issue where palming Evening Report would briefly flash the watch face.
- Fixed issue where there is extra vertical space in the sunrise/sunset widget.
- Fixed issue where tone could not be disabled on a quick timer.
- Fixed jumpy breathwork activity animation on Solar devices
- Fixed lag when loading a long course.
- Fixed Messenger notifying old messages when repairing and reactivating .
- Fixed music stopped message not appearing when launching the ECG app while connected to headphones.
- Fixed Navigation Shortcut showing inaccurate prompt during GPS activity.
- Fixed not being able to access the InReach controls menu via buttons during activities.
- Fixed Pace/Speed Preference not applying to activity summaries.
- Fixed possible crash in the Weather map.
- Fixed possible crash when quickly toggling the flashlight on and off.
- Fixed possible crash when returning to the activity detail page after checking Runs in a Backcountry Ski activity.
- Fixed possible crash when saving Dive activities.
- Fixed possible crash when using Garmin Coach from a Yoga activity.
- Fixed possible issue where a Messenger voice message would send unexpected text along with the message.
- Fixed possible issue where evening report shows an invalid bed time recommendation
- Fixed possible issue where running economy would show different values on the glance vs. app.
- Fixed possible issue where steps labels in Evening Report overlapped.
- Fixed Race event and DSW feedback phrases using miles when in metric.
- Fixed radial watch face complications not dashing out sensitive data when pin lock is active.
- Fixed save menu when stopping navigating a Komoot course.
- Fixed Saved Data App duplicating items when changing filters.
- Fixed small GroupTrack icons.
- Fixed step speed loss fields not working on lap banner.
- Fixed Structured Repeat workout edits not saving.
- Fixed the current location triangle indicator reorienting when the watch moves on the Sunrise/Sunset map.
- Fixed the Flashlight active app overlay not going away.
- Fixed Theater Focus Mode disappearing when restoring to defaults.
- Fixed using touch to select a location on the map.
- Fixed watch face shortcuts in the Phone Assistant app causing button tones to stop.
- Fixed watch faces not restoring from backups.
- Fixed Weather Radar not properly showing military time.
- Improved display of watch face when Red Shift is enabled.
- Improved font selection on ski difficulty summary page.
- Improved loading speed of activity history glance.
- Improved missed Messenger calls experience.
- Improved spacing on focus mode customization menu.
- Improved wallet app relocking very fast.
- Improvements to the Map App during activities.
- Updated italics fonts to bold.
- Updated Running Track database.
- Updated touch and hold on watch face battery complications to open the Battery Manager app.
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