What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Garmin’s September 22, 2026 update adds features including hands-free voice control, quick running workouts, adaptive Garmin Run Coach plans and an Indoor XC Ski activity profile. The rollout had started, but Garmin did not say every compatible watch had received it or publish a complete feature-by-model list. The announcement names the fēnix 8 series, Forerunner 570 and 970, Venu 4, and vívoactive 6.
Which Garmin watches are named in the update?
Garmin’s September 22, 2026 announcement lists these smartwatch families: fēnix 8, Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, Venu 4, and vívoactive 6. It also mentions compatible Edge cycling computers, which are not watches.
The announcement does not provide a model-by-model compatibility matrix. Naming a family does not establish that every feature below is available on every named watch. Check the update screen for your exact model, or consult Garmin Support for device-specific information.
What features did Garmin announce?
Hands-free voice control
Compatible devices can use voice control initiated with “Okay, Garmin.” The announcement does not specify which named watch models receive this capability.
#1 Best Overall
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode (5 days display always-on)
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Quick running workouts
The update includes quick running workout suggestions based on a runner’s desired time and intensity. Garmin does not state the model eligibility or provide performance or outcome figures in the announcement.
Adaptive Garmin Run Coach plans
Garmin says Run Coach plans can adapt daily based on health and recovery metrics. The release does not detail the model-by-model availability or the metrics used.
Rank #2
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Indoor XC Ski activity profile
The update adds an Indoor XC Ski activity profile with support for compatible indoor ski trainers. Compatibility with a particular trainer or watch should be checked before relying on the feature.
Venu 4 fall detection
Garmin specifically associates fall detection with the Venu 4 in this announcement. After detecting a hard fall, the watch can send a message with the user’s live location to preset assistance contacts. It can be enabled for all-day monitoring or selected activities. Messaging requires pairing with a smartphone, and Garmin’s safety-feature requirements and limitations apply; this is not a guarantee of emergency response.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Designed with a bright, colorful AMOLED display, get a more complete picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
- Body Battery energy monitoring helps you understand when you’re charged up or need to rest, with even more personalized insights based on sleep, naps, stress levels, workouts and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Get a sleep score and personalized sleep coaching for how much sleep you need — and get tips on how to improve plus key metrics such as HRV status to better understand your health (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Find new ways to keep your body moving with more than 30 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf and more
- Wheelchair mode tracks pushes — rather than steps — and includes push and handcycle activities with preloaded workouts for strength, cardio, HIIT, Pilates and yoga, challenges specific to wheelchair users and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
How to check for and install the update
Garmin says the free software updates had started rolling out to compatible devices as of September 22, 2026. It did not give a completion date or a universal software version, so availability can depend on the watch and staged rollout.
- Use the watch and Garmin Connect: Enable automatic updates from the device, then sync it with Garmin Connect.
- Use Garmin Express: Connect the watch to a computer and use Garmin Express to check for updates.
If no update appears, that does not establish that your watch is ineligible: the rollout may not have reached it, or the model may not support the feature you are looking for. Check the specific model’s update screen and Garmin Support rather than assuming every named watch receives every addition.
Rank #4
- Make a bold statement with this rugged GPS smartwatch, featuring a 0.9” display with solar charging lens and unlimited battery life with solar charging (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions)
- Engineered with a supertough 45 mm fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal-reinforced bezel
- Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes gives you greater visibility in the outdoors and provides convenient illumination when you need it
- Know your body better with health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate, advanced sleep monitoring, Pulse Ox and more (this is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked; Pulse Ox not available in all countries)
- Navigate confidently with a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter and multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology, which delivers superior positioning while also optimizing battery life
How this update differs from Garmin’s February 2026 announcement
Garmin’s separate February 24, 2026 update announcement covered a different set of additions, including gear tracking, course planner, sports scores, mixed sessions, Garmin Fitness Coach, sleep alignment, lifestyle logging, accessibility additions and Varia voice alerts. Those features should not be confused with the September release.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run.Special Feature:Bluetooth.
- Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
- Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates
- Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
