Enrolling in and Learning About Garmin Beta Software Program

The Garmin® beta software program allows customers to test, and Garmin developers to evaluate, the new features of a potential future software release. Enrolling in the beta program gives you access to:

  • Software updates and features not yet publicly available.

  • Automatic access to forum channels to provide feedback and discuss the beta software.

When you are actively enrolled in the beta software program, your device will receive beta software updates, as well as the final public version of the software, as they become available. If you leave the beta software program, the beta software will remain on your device until the final version of the software becomes available. Once the software is updated, you will no longer receive beta software.

If you sell or give your device to someone else, you are responsible for unenrolling in the beta software program and removing the device from your account. If your device still has beta software installed at the time of the transaction, we recommend letting the new owner of the device know that their device has beta software installed. This beta software will be removed when the final version of the software is downloaded onto the device.

NOTE: Some product features, such as the ECG app, Diving apps, and/or Flying apps (on compatible watches) may not be available for use in beta software. If you would prefer to keep these features accessible on your watch, we recommend not participating in the Public Beta program.

Before getting started, we recommend you watch the following video about the program.

Garmin's Beta Program


Compatible Watches and Cycling Computers

NOTICE: Watches marked with a footnote feature the ECG app, Flying apps, and/or Diving apps which may not be available while running Beta software.
  • Edge® 530

  • Edge® 830

  • Edge® 540 | Edge® 540 Solar

  • Edge® 840 | Edge® 840 Solar

  • Edge® 1030 | Edge® 1030 Plus

  • Edge® 1040 | Edge® 1040 Solar

  • Edge® 1050

  • Edge® Explore 2

  • Edge® MTB

  • Enduro™

  • Enduro™ 2

  • Enduro™ 31

  • epix™ (Gen 2) | epix™ (Gen 2) Sapphire | epix™ (Gen 2) Porsche Edition

  • epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - Standard Edition1 | epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - Sapphire Edition1

  • fēnix® 6 - Standard Edition | fēnix® 6 - Solar Edition | fēnix® 6 - Pro and Sapphire Editions | fēnix® 6 - Pro Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 6S - Standard Edition | fēnix® 6S - Solar Edition | fēnix® 6S - Pro and Sapphire Editions | fēnix® 6S - Pro Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 6X - Pro and Sapphire Editions | fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7 - Standard Edition | fēnix® 7 - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7 - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7S - Standard Edition | fēnix® 7S - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7S - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7X - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7X - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7 Pro - Solar Edition1 | fēnix® 7 Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition1

  • fēnix® 7S Pro - Solar Edition1 | fēnix® 7S Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition1

  • fēnix® 7X Pro - Solar Edition1 | fēnix® 7X Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition1

  • fēnix® 8 - AMOLED Edition2 | fēnix® 8 - Solar Edition2

  • fēnix® E

  • Forerunner® 165 | Forerunner® 165 Music

  • Forerunner® 245 | Forerunner® 245 Music

  • Forerunner® 255 | Forerunner® 255S | Forerunner® 255 Music | Forerunner® 255S Music

  • Forerunner® 265 | Forerunner® 265S

  • Forerunner® 570

  • Forerunner® 745

  • Forerunner® 945 | Forerunner® 945 LTE

  • Forerunner® 955 | Forerunner® 955 Solar

  • Forerunner® 965

  • Forerunner® 9701

  • Instinct® 2 - Standard Edition | Instinct® 2 - Camo Edition | Instinct® 2 - Surf Edition | Instinct® 2 - dēzl Edition

  • Instinct® 2S - Standard Edition | Instinct® 2S - Camo Edition | Instinct® 2S - Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2 Solar | Instinct® 2 Solar - Tactical Edition | Instinct® 2 Solar - Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2S Solar | Instinct® 2S Solar - Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2X Solar | Instinct® 2X Solar - Tactical Edition

  • Instinct® 3 - AMOLED | Instinct® 3 - Solar

  • Instinct® 3 Tactical Edition - AMOLED | Instinct® 3 Tactical Edition - Solar

  • Instinct® Crossover AMOLED | Instinct® Crossover AMOLED - Tactical Edition

  • Instinct® E

  • MARQ® Adventurer | MARQ® Athlete | MARQ® Aviator | MARQ® Captain | MARQ® Commander | MARQ® Driver | MARQ® Expedition | MARQ® Golfer

  • MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) | MARQ® Aviator (Gen 2) | MARQ® Captain (Gen 2) | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2)

  • MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) - Damascus Steel Edition | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Performance Edition | MARQ® Commander (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition

  • quatix® 6 | quatix® 6X Solar | quatix® 6 Titanium

  • quatix® 7 - Standard Edition | quatix® 7 - Sapphire Edition | quatix® 7 - Solar Edition

  • quatix® 82

  • tactix® 7 - AMOLED Edition1 | tactix® 7 - Standard Edition | tactix® 7 - Pro Edition | tactix® 7 - Pro Ballistics Edition

  • tactix® 8 - AMOLED2 | tactix® 8 - Solar2

  • Venu®

  • Venu® 2 | Venu® 2S

  • Venu® 2 Plus1

  • Venu® 31 | Venu® 3S1

  • Venu® 41

  • Venu® Sq 2 | Venu® Sq 2 - Music Edition

  • Venu® X1

  • vívoactive® 4 | vívoactive® 4S

  • vívoactive® 5

  • vívoactive® 6


1 Watches that support the ECG app. 

2 Watches that support the ECG app and Diving apps.


How Do I Enroll Into the Beta Software Program?

The Garmin beta software program allows you to test, and Garmin to evaluate, the new features of a potential future software release. 

  1. From a web browser, sign into your Garmin Connect™ account.

    • NOTE: This cannot be done using the Garmin Connect™ app.

  2. Select Garmin Connect watch icon in the upper right.

  3. Select the device name or image of the product you want to enroll.

  4. Select Join Beta Software Program.

  5. Read and Agree to the terms.

You are now enrolled in the beta software program.

NOTE: It can take up to an hour for the update to appear on the device.


How Do I Install the Beta Software?

From the Device:

If your device does not already have a Wi-Fi® access point set up, follow the steps outlined in this FAQ: Setting Up Wi-Fi on a Fitness Device

After Wi-Fi is set up on your device follow the steps below.

  1. Access the Gear icon for the Settings menuSettings menu.

  2. Select System.

  3. Select Software Update.

  4. Select Check for Updates.

  5. Once Wi-Fi is verified, Beta software updates will show on select models.

  6. Install Now.

 From the Garmin Express™ Program:


How Do I Leave the Beta Software Program?

If you leave the beta software program, the beta software will remain on your device until the final version of the software becomes available. Once the software is updated to final release version, your device will stop receiving beta software updates.
  1. From a web browser, sign into your Garmin Connect™ account.

  2. Select Garmin Connect watch icon in the upper right.

  3. Select the device name or image of the enrolled product.

  4. Select Leave Beta Software Program.

  5. Read Beta Software Program opt out information.

  6. Select Opt Out.


How Do I Provide Beta Software Feedback?

While public beta software has been thoroughly tested and is considered ready for public release, this program allows users to provide feedback should an issue arise. If you are having a problem that was introduced with beta software, Garmin asks that you report the problem.
  1. From a web browser, sign into your Garmin Connect™ account.

  2. Select Garmin Connect watch icon in the upper right.

  3. Select the device name or image of the enrolled product.

  4. Select Report a Beta Software issue.

  5. Post feedback in the Beta Program Forum.