Garmin has just released its Q1 2025 beta update for those enrolled in its public beta testing program. While most of the updates early adopters are discovering include improvements to Garmin Coach, Body Battery, and other features common in the best 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 lost or stolen,” according to a Garmin press release. The press release states that the feature will come with an automatic wrist detection option, requiring users to enter a PIN to regain access to the watch each time it is removed from the wrist.
The feature is not ready yet and is expected to be “coming soon” as part of the Q1 beta feature launch.
Previously, the only time Garmin users needed a password was to access Garmin Pay, the digital wallet you can set up in the Garmin Connect app. Expanding it to the entire watch makes sense, because high-end Garmin watches contain information about your contacts and sensitive health data, and that could act as a deterrent to prevent thieves from resetting and selling the device.
Which watches benefit from the upgrade?
The Passcode feature will be available on the following Garmin models:
The feature is not tested on the older Fenix, Venu, Vivoactive and Enduro watches, the Garmin Instinct 3 or the Garmin Lily 2. However, as this is only the beta testing phase, the feature is likely to change. be available on more Garmin watches. if the deployment is successful.
