Garmin Rolls Out Beta Update 12.50 for Vivoactive 6 — Say Hello to the New Evening Report, Rucking Mode & More
If you’re a Garmin Vivoactive 6 user, there’s something new for you to check out. Garmin just pushed out Beta Version 12.50, and while it’s technically still in public testing, this update brings a handful of exciting features that are worth your attention.
Let’s break it down—and more importantly, let’s talk about how these changes might make a difference in your day-to-day life.
Evening Report: A Better Way to Wind Down Your Day
This one is probably my favorite from the update: Garmin’s new Evening Report. If you’re someone who likes to reflect on your health and activity before bed, this feature is made for you.
The Evening Report gives you a tidy summary of your day—things like your steps, stress, activity, heart rate trends, and more—just before bedtime. It’s a subtle yet meaningful nudge to help you understand how your day went and perhaps even adjust your habits for tomorrow.
It’s Garmin leaning into wellness more holistically. And honestly, in a world of endless notifications and screen time, a quiet, focused summary like this is a breath of fresh air.
What’s New in Vivoactive 6 Update 12.50
1. Rucking Mode: More Than Just Walking with Weight
Garmin just added rucking mode as an official activity on the Vivoactive 6.
If you haven’t heard of it before, rucking is basically going for a walk or hike with a weighted backpack—it’s a great way to level up your cardio and strength at the same time.
It’s long been a training staple for military personnel and fitness enthusiasts alike, and it’s quickly catching on as a popular cardio-strength combo.
Now, Garmin gives it its mode with tailored tracking metrics, so your weighted walks don’t just register as “regular walking.”
If you’re into GORUCK events or just looking to level up your fitness, this is a super handy addition.
2. Calculator App: Small, but Surprisingly Useful
It’s one of those features you don’t realize you need until it’s there. The new calculator app on your wrist means no more scrambling for your phone when you’re at the store, on a run, or doing a quick split-time conversion.
Is it a flashy update? Nope. Is it convenient as heck? Absolutely.
3. Custom Focus Modes: Your Watch, Your Way
Garmin now lets you create your Custom focus modes, which is a smarter way to manage distractions and notifications. Heading out for a run? You can mute work notifications. Settling in for a meeting? You can pause fitness alerts.
This is Garmin getting better at helping you stay in control—not just of your fitness, but of your attention too.
Additional Updates
Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM) translations updated to 2.70
If you use the app in a different language, this helps make the experience more consistent across devices.
How to Get the Beta Update
If you’re already in Garmin’s Beta Program, the update should hit your Vivoactive 6 soon. You can manually check for the update by navigating to:
Just head to your watch’s Menu, then tap Settings > System > Software Update, and select ‘Check for Updates’.
Not part of the Beta Program yet? It’s easy to join:
- Log in to your Garmin Connect account from your computer.
- Click the watch icon in the top-right.
- Select your Vivoactive 6.
- Choose “Join Beta Software Program.”
- Accept the terms and you’re in.
Just keep in mind—beta software can occasionally be buggy. It’s meant for folks who are okay with a little experimentation in exchange for early access to cool features.
Final Thoughts: A Quietly Excellent Update
Beta version 12.50 may not bring big, flashy overhauls—but what it does offer is meaningful.
Garmin is giving users more tools to live intentionally: from reflecting on their day with the Evening Report to building better fitness habits with rucking mode.
It’s small, smart updates like these that show Garmin is still listening, still evolving, and still finding ways to make your watch more than just a fitness tracker. It’s becoming a wellness companion.
What new feature are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!
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