New Garmin Fenix 6 update released with fresh set of bug fixes and improvements

A little over a week has passed since Garmin announced a new beta update for the Fenix 6 series and its peers. Arriving as Beta Version 26.96, the software was said to resolve an outstanding shutdown issue, full details of which we have covered separately. While Garmin has not brought forth a new stable update for almost a year, it has now released Beta Version 26.97 to Enduro, Fenix 6, Quatix 6, MARQ and Tactix Delta (curr. $691.36 on Amazon) smartwatches enrolled on its Beta Program.

Now, the company has offered up Beta Version 26.97, which it is issuing as part of a 'phased rollout' process. In a forum post, Garmin explains that Beta Version 26.97 should have reached 50% of public beta testers. In other words, the update will be delivered automatically in the coming days for smartwatches that have not received Beta Version 26.97 yet. With that being said, Garmin states that it remains possible to download the update manually by heading through Menu, System, Software Update and then tapping 'Check for Updates'.

Garmin stresses that Beta Version 26.97 makes over 30 changes from Software Version 26.00. However, Beta Version 26.97 only contains 'miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements' from Beta Version 26.96. Thus, it appears that Garmin is nearing a new stable build rollout. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen when that will be the case. For reference, the full changelog from Software Version 26.00 to Beta Version 26.97 is as follows:

• Added Device Settings Backup and Restore.
• Added manual SW updates using Wi-Fi to the settings menu (Pro models only).
• Added CIQ App Rating to all CIQ Types (no longer restricted to "Apps" only).
• Added tracking of splits for Ski.
• Added the ability to check for software updates via Bluetooth.
• Added support for 100hz sensor rate for CIQ apps.
• Improved quality of randomness of music shuffling (Pro models only).
• Improved display of ski/snowboard activity summaries to exclude chairlift data.
• Updated software backup to display a message when backup is from an incompatible source.
• Removed the limitation on the number of points allowed in a course.
• Fixed an issue with alarm tones not activating when an activity is set to max battery.
• Fixed an issue where some Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, and Greek text would not display properly.
• Fixed an issue where the Indoor Bike Activity would default to the first set of data fields.
• Fixed potential issue where the "Safety Features Enabled" notification would continually be displayed.
• Fixed an issue where devices would not play a tone nor vibrate after acquiring GPS in an activity.
• Fixed an issue when pairing to new CT10 golf club types.
• Fixed an issue to ensure training load is properly calculated when using the Store & Forward feature on supported Garmin HRM straps.
• Fixed an issue where the device would sometimes shutdown when viewing the map on the Fish activity.
• Fixed an issue with audio prompts on workouts not playing the correct messages.
• Fixed an issue with auto runs on the Ski activity from not always starting on a descent.
• Fixed an issue with auto pause on the Ski activity from improperly activating.
• Fixed an issue where the menu to create a course would not display properly.
• Fixed an issue where sport devices would shutdown when attempting to create a backup.
• Fixed an issue causing lap cadence spikes in swim.
• Fixed an issue that would sometimes cause smart notifications to not display properly.
• Fixed an issue where the device would shutdown when creating a custom course.
• Fixed an issue where LiveTrack would stop tracking after 24 hours.
• Fixed an issue where eBike-related data fields would show incorrect data.
• Fixed an issue where the text displayed on the Breathing Activity would sometimes be blank.
• Fixed missing ski/snowboard distance in the All Stats section for those activities.
• Fixed an issue with CIQ apps that would sometimes cause the device to shut down.
• Fixed an issue with swimming activities where the distance data would be stuck at zero.
• Fixed an issue where the Backcountry XC activity would have duplicate data screens.
• Fixed an issue where the Sync Failed message would display even if a sync was successful.
• Fixed an issue that would cause Sport devices to occasionally shutdown.
• Miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements.