If you own a Garmin smartwatch, you might want to check your settings today. Garmin is launching a brand-new beta software update, version 16.04. This comes just over a month after they released the stable 15.18 update.
The new software is built for several models, including the Instinct 3 AMOLED, Instinct 3 Solar, Instinct E, and the Crossover AMOLED.
What is New in Version 16.04?
Garmin packed a few handy additions into this beta release. Most notably, the company added a Recovery Mode. Despite its name, this new feature has nothing to do with fitness rest days or muscle recovery. Instead, Recovery Mode is an emergency tool designed to fix software errors and boot loops directly on your wrist.
If your watch crashes on startup or gets stuck during a boot sequence, Recovery Mode kicks in to give you a built-in safety net. It allows you to troubleshoot the device right from the screen without needing to panic or immediately look for a computer.
If you love hitting the waves, you will also notice an improved wave detection feature inside the Surf activity mode. This should make tracking your surf sessions much more accurate.
Bug Fixes and Performance Boosts
Nobody likes a sluggish watch. This update targets a few annoying bugs that users were dealing with on older software versions.
First, Garmin fixed a frustrating lag issue that happened when people tried to check their calendar on the watch. Second, they patched a bug that could cause the system to crash unexpectedly whenever a user started a workout through a Connect IQ (CIQ) app.
How to Get the Update Right Now
Because this is a beta update, your watch might not download it automatically right away. If you want to install it manually, just follow these simple steps on your device:
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Open the Main Menu on your watch
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Go to Settings
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Tap on System
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Select Software Update
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Click on Check For Updates
Also Read: Garmin’s New Fenix 9 Pro Is Live on Amazon—Here Is What You Need to Know
