Garmin dropped the Beta Version 10.21 for the Instinct 3 series, and as someone who lives in their GPS watch (literally—it’s on my wrist from sunrise to sleep), I had to try it out the second it landed.
If you’ve got one of the newer Instinct 3 watches—like the AMOLED (45mm & 50mm), Solar (45mm & 50mm), Instinct E (40mm & 45mm), and Instinct 3 Tactical (Solar & AMOLED variants).—you might already be seeing the update roll out.
Garmin says it’s at about 20% rollout as of now, so if you’re enrolled in the Public Beta Program, it should hit your watch via Bluetooth or Garmin Express soon.
I’ve been running 10.21 for a day now, and while this isn’t a jaw-dropping “new features” release, it’s packed with fixes that make everyday use a lot smoother.
Let’s break it down—what’s new, what’s improved, and whether it’s worth updating.
How I Got the Update
No tricks here. If you’re part of the beta program:
- Just make sure your watch is connected to your phone via Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM), or plug it into Garmin Express.
- It installed automatically for me within about 5 minutes.
After installing, my watch now shows:
- Software version: 10.21
- GPS version: 11.01
- Sensor hub: 35.08
- BLE/ANT: 1.04
Check yours under Menu > System > About to confirm.
What’s New in Instinct 3 Beta 10.21 Update?
Let me tell you what stood out to me—and how these fixes show up in real-world use.
Fixes & Features for All Instinct 3 / Instinct E Models
- Interval alerts added to timers — finally!
- Fixed broken power modes menu in Garmin Connect
- Area calc got a fix (was giving weird values before)
- Heart rate zone issues resolved
My take: I use timers for strength circuits and yoga flow sets, and the new interval alerts make a noticeable difference. Simple upgrade, big convenience.
Solar / E Models
- Fixed DogTrack not showing distances over a mile
- Nautical distance data field works now
- Fixed crashes when viewing glances
- Missing activity/app edit options in GCM = fixed
Solar Models Only
- Added solar intensity and solar accumulation data fields
If you’re like me and love tracking solar gain while hiking, this is a fun, insightful little upgrade—especially on long treks without a charger in sight.
AMOLED Models
- Fixed flashlight delay when using CIQ watch faces
- Fixed weather data bug when large fonts are used
- The music data screen works now
- GoPro pairing crash finally fixed
Solar + AMOLED Models
- Rep alerts for jump rope added
- Fixed the pack weight setting issue in GCM
- Golf mode got a cleanup (settings, Autoshot, etc.)
- Fixed flashlight strobe turning on randomly during multisport (that was weird!)
- Backcountry ski summary crashing = fixed
- Jump rope summary data now shows correctly
A lot of smaller sport-specific fixes here, but it shows Garmin’s paying attention to the edge cases too—not just the runners and cyclists.
Don’t Forget—This Is Still Beta
Garmin’s been super transparent about this: if you backdate from 10.21, you won’t be able to reinstall this version again. You’d have to wait for the next beta.
Also, if you hit any bugs (I haven’t yet 🤞), Garmin encourages you to report them in their Beta Bug Report forums.
They also have a helpful Beta Wiki if your device crashes or you want to revert software safely.
Final Thoughts: Is 10.21 Worth Installing?
For me, yes.
This beta may not bring jaw-dropping new tools or a fancy new UI—but it fixes bugs that interrupted how I use the watch.
Crashes in glances, awkward menu glitches, music data not syncing, and even the flashlight bug during multisport—all of it added small bits of friction that are now (thankfully) smoothed out.
It’s the kind of update you don’t necessarily see every day—but you feel it when your gear just works the way it’s supposed to.
Have You Updated Yet?
If you’re in the beta program and running 10.21, I’d love to hear how it’s going for you. Drop a comment:
- Did it fix anything for you?
- Any new bugs I didn’t catch?
- Using any niche features (like DogTrack or jump rope) that feel improved?
Let’s trade notes.
Stay strong, stay moving, and keep exploring—your watch just got a little better for it.
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