How to Set a Passcode on Your Garmin Watch

Garmin has lately introduced a function to a lot of its watches that Apple Watch customers have been capable of get pleasure from for some time: A tool passcode, so you possibly can lock your information when your watch isn’t in your wrist. The function is now out there to customers of current Enduro, Fenix, Forerunner, Lily, Tactix, Venu, and Vivoactive watches.

How the Garmin gadget passcode works

In earlier variations of the Garmin software program, units which have a “pockets” function would ask you to arrange a passcode to make use of the pockets. Then, once you tapped your watch to make use of Garmin Pay at a retailer checkout, you’ll must enter a four-digit code. 

Latest software program updates add the flexibility to lock your complete watch, not simply the pockets. Right here’s flip it on: 

1. Go into your Settings menu on the watch.

2. Choose System

3. Underneath Passcode, you possibly can set a passcode if you do not have one already.

4. As soon as you have set a passcode, you’ll have the choice for “On” or “Pockets solely.” Choose “On” if you wish to must enter the passcode every time you set your watch on.

If you have not arrange Garmin Pay, your passcode choices will simply be “On” or “Off.”

What you possibly can and might’t do with a Garmin passcode

With the passcode enabled, you’ll must punch in your code once you put your watch on, however in any other case issues will work as normal—for you. 

For somebody who doesn’t know the code, they’ll decide up the watch and take a look at it, however most issues past the watch face might be locked behind the passcode. To a stranger who doesn’t know the code, right here’s what remains to be out there:

• The watch face is seen as normal

• The sunshine button works to show the watch face or gentle on and off

• If an exercise was working once you took the watch off, it is going to stay working

• You’ll be able to nonetheless reply a telephone name

• The flashlight and emergency help shortcuts nonetheless work

And here’s what just isn’t: 

• The glances (information you attain by scrolling down from the watch face) are locked

• The settings menu is locked

• The exercise menu is locked, so you possibly can’t begin a brand new exercise

• The shortcuts menu (maintain the highest left button on a Forerunner) solely incorporates 5 choices: energy off, lock gadget, flip the touchscreen on or off, flashlight, and emergency help. (That is what I see on the Forerunner 265S and 570; specifics could range by watch.)

• Every thing else that is perhaps on that menu, like your pockets, timers, discover my telephone, and so forth.—all are lacking.

You additionally have to enter your passcode to show the passcode function on, which helpfully confirms that you just nonetheless keep in mind what it’s and will not lock your self out.

Which Garmin watches have the gadget passcode function?

Garmin lists these watches as passcode-capable, as long as you’ve the latest software program replace put in, and you’ve got the latest model of the Garmin Join app: 

• Enduro 3

• Fenix 8 (AMOLED or Photo voltaic) and Fenix E

• Forerunner 165, 255, 265, 955, and 965, and their variations (together with S and Music), and the brand new 570 and 970.

• Intuition 3, 3 Tactical, and E (in response to this chart)

• Lily 2 and Lily 2 Lively

• Tactix 8

• Venu 3 and 3S

• Vivoactive 5 and 6

The best way to allow beta software program to get new options sooner or later

Earlier than the passcode function got here out formally, it was out there in a public beta. Should you like getting new Garmin options, I’d advocate signing up for the beta. I haven’t discovered issues to be buggy, though that’s at all times a danger with any beta program. 

Garmin’s directions for enrolling within the beta program are here. Principally, you’ll use your Garmin Join app to pick out your gadget, then faucet Be a part of Beta Software program Program, and comply with the phrases. 

Inside an hour, it is best to have the ability to set up the newest software program. To test for an replace at any time, go into the Settings menu in your gadget, then System, Software program Updates, and Examine for Updates.