Garmin owners were left scratching their heads last week when a new software update (version 13.35) rolled out to Fenix 8, Fenix E, and Enduro 3 smartwatches. At first glance, the update seemed like a beta release—despite Garmin never officially labeling it as such.
A Beta Update That Wasn’t a Beta?
As reported by NotebookCheck, Garmin initially teased a stable release for its top-tier watches. However, confusion quickly set in when users noticed that the “new stable update” carried the same build number as Garmin’s latest beta release.
While Garmin has done similar rollouts in the past, the company typically posts changelogs in its forums to clarify when a stable update is going live. This time, however, no such announcement was made—leading many users to believe they had accidentally received a beta version, even though they had never signed up for Garmin’s beta program.
Garmin’s forums quickly filled with posts from concerned users:
👉 “Did someone screw up at Garmin? I’m not signed up for the beta, but I just got the update.” – One puzzled user asked.
👉 “Same here. I’m not in the beta program, but 13.35 just hit my Enduro 3.” – Another user chimed in.
Garmin Finally Clears the Air
After days of speculation, Garmin finally confirmed that 13.35 is a stable update, not a beta or accidental test release. The update, now officially rolling out to Fenix 8, Fenix E, and Enduro 3, includes several bug fixes and improvements:
✅ Fixed blank map covering activity data
✅ Fixed blank completed strength DSW issue
✅ Fixed crash when using the keyboard to reply to messages during activities
✅ Fixed device lockout when enabling a passcode
✅ Fixed potential bug preventing activity uploads
✅ Fixed potential crash when using the keyboard in emergency assistance
✅ Fixed Virtual Partner pace range issue
While the mix-up turned out to be a minor inconvenience, the reaction from Garmin users speaks volumes about their concerns. Many feared the update was a beta version pushed by mistake, which could have been a serious issue—especially if it disabled key safety features like ECG (electrocardiogram) functionality.
Why Garmin Users Are On Edge
Garmin’s recent global outage, which left devices unusable for over 24 hours, has left many users frustrated. On top of that, complaints about fragmented software support—such as the Fenix 7 being left behind—have added to the growing tension.
So, when this latest update dropped without proper communication, it’s no surprise that users immediately questioned Garmin’s reliability. While this was ultimately a false alarm, it’s clear that many Garmin owners feel uneasy about the company’s track record when it comes to software rollouts and long-term device support.
For now, the 13.35 update is confirmed stable, and Garmin users can install it without worry—but hopefully, the company takes note of this incident and improves communication moving forward.
