Garmin has just dropped its Q1 2025 beta update for those enrolled in its public beta testing program. While many of the updates that early adopters are getting to grips with include improvements to Garmin Coach, Body Battery, and other features common to top Garmin watches, one surprising new feature stood out: a security password for its Fenix, Enduro, Forerunner, Venu and Vivoactive lines.
The feature, simply called Passcode, is designed to “help protect sensitive data if your watch is ever lost or stolen,” according to a press release from Garmin. The press release states that the feature will come with an automatic wrist detection option that requires users to enter a PIN code to access the watch each time it is removed from the wrist.
The feature isn’t ready yet, and is listed as “coming soon” as part of the Q1 beta feature launch.
Previously, the only time Garmin users have required a password was to access Garmin Pay, the digital wallet you can create in the Garmin Connect app. It makes sense to extend it to the watch as a whole, as the high-end Garmin watches contain information regarding your contacts and sensitive health data, and it can act as a deterrent to prevent thieves from resetting and selling the device.
Which watches will get the upgrade?
The password feature is coming to the following Garmin models:
The feature is not being tested on older Fenix, Venu, Vivoactive and Enduro watches, Garmin Instinct 3 or Garmin Lily 2. However, since this is only the beta testing stage, the feature will likely come to more Garmin watches if the rollout is successful.
