Garmin has officially released a fresh stable firmware update, version 13.26, for its rugged wearable lineup. This rollout covers the Instinct 3 AMOLED, Instinct 3 Solar, the newcomer Instinct E, and the Crossover AMOLED models, bringing a mix of functional enhancements and critical bug fixes.
New Activities and Tracking Capabilities
This update expands the versatility of the Instinct series with several new tracking options. Users can now access a dedicated Treadmill Walk activity, and those using the Indoor Row profile finally can manually save their workout distance.
Additionally, Garmin has introduced Pack Weight support specifically for the Instinct 3 Solar, AMOLED, and Crossover models. This allows users to factor in the weight of their gear during Stair Stepper and Floor Climb activities for more accurate exertion data.
Smarter Daily Tools and Health Insights
Garmin is refining how users interact with their data at the start of the day. The Morning Report is now customizable, allowing for a more personalized briefing upon waking. Furthermore, the Smart Wake alarm feature has been integrated, designed to wake users during an optimal sleep stage to reduce grogginess.
For professional long-haulers, the Instinct 3 Solar and AMOLED versions now include specialized health features and short workouts tailored for truck drivers, ensuring wellness is prioritized even on the road.
Significant Fixes for inReach and Swimming
Outdoor adventurers using inReach satellite communicators will notice several stability improvements. The update addresses issues where long messages failed to display and fixes potential lag within the inReach glance. Notably, users can now view certain inReach data even when a live connection is temporarily unavailable.
Swimmers also receive a much-needed patch. Version 13.26 resolves inaccuracies regarding:
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Rest times and total swim duration.
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SWOLF scores and calorie burn calculations.
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Missing training menus within the Pool Swim activity profile.
Device-Specific Refinements and Stability
The Instinct Crossover sees unique attention in this build, receiving additional watch face designs and fixes for workout animations. Garmin also corrected a bug on the Crossover where the battery life estimate was displaying inaccurately.
Across all models, the update stabilizes the system by preventing crashes during heart rate broadcasting and power-up sequences. It also fixes a persistent bug where devices would accidentally re-enter sleep mode after being manually toggled off.
How to Install Version 13.26
While the update is rolling out automatically, you can skip the wait by manually triggering the download. On your watch, navigate to: Main Menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates.
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