Garmin’s vivoactive 6 smartwatch (pictured) is receiving a new beta update. (Image source: Garmin)
Beta version 12.59 has arrived for one of Garmin’s 2025 smartwatches. This update allows users of the wearable to test an auto-rest feature for Strength training; this was historically only available for swimming activities. Plus, vivoactive 6 smartwatches gain a new app with the release.
Garmin has released beta version 12.59 for the vivoactive 6 smartwatch. It arrives around a month after the last update, beta version 12.50, which added the Evening Report feature and the Calculator app.
Beta version 12.59 delivers a new automatic rest timer for the Strength activity. This feature was previously only available for pool swimming, automatically creating a rest interval if a pause in activity was detected for more than 15 seconds. It is unclear exactly how this auto-rest Strength training feature will work. Historically, upon completing a set, the rest timer would appear and count down to the next set, with users able to wait for the countdown to end or press to start the next set. This strength-related tool also recently arrived in a beta update for the Venu X1 smartwatch.
The release notes also mention the addition of the Tips app. This is an interactive experience designed to help you learn about your smartwatch’s features. Linked to this is an additional update, Tips videos software version 1.00. The other four features listed in the change log – Evening Report, the calculator app, custom focus modes and the Rucking activity – arrived with the older beta version 12.50.
You can download this beta update by going to the Main menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates. It is unclear when a stable version of the 12.xx software will be released to all users of the Garmin vivoactive 6 smartwatch (curr. $299.99 at Amazon).
The release notes for beta version 12.59 for the vivoactive 6 smartwatch. (Image source: Garmin)
Polly Allcock – Senior Tech Writer – 4275 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021
I’ve been interested in technology for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I have loved gadgets and understanding how things work. Since graduating, I have worked for several technology companies across FinTech, AdTech and Robotics.