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When the Edge 1060 launched, I called it a bike computer nobody asked for. If you own an Edge 1050, I said it wasn’t worth the upgrade. Now Garmin is bringing some of the 1060’s features to the Edges people already own.
The Edge 550, 850, 1050, and Edge MTB get four of them. The Edge 540, 840, and 1040 get two. Both updates are currently in public beta.
So, should you install it?
NOTE: I’m currently testing the new beta firmware, so I will update this article in the following days once I learn more. The test results I mention come from the Edge bike computers I’ve tested myself.
What Each Edge Gets
Garmin posted both betas on its forums on October 20, 2026, the day the Edge 1060 launched. A public beta is test firmware that Garmin offers before the regular release, and only to owners who opt in. Garmin says the betas go to all enrolled units (100% rollout).
| Feature | Edge 550/850/1050 | Edge MTB | Edge 540/840/1040 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta firmware | 33.13 or newer (latest: 33.21) | 33.13 or newer (latest: 33.21) | 31.67 or newer (latest: 31.72) |
| Garmin Messenger | Yes | Yes | Not in the beta |
| GroupRide features from the Edge 1060 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alternate data fields | Yes | Yes | Not in the beta |
| Garmin Cycling Coach features from the Edge 1060 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice control and voice messages | No | No | No |
| New routing tools | No | No | No |
Garmin hasn’t posted a date for the regular (non-beta) release.
What’s New in the Beta
Here’s what Garmin’s changelogs list:
- Garmin Messenger: Garmin’s messaging app, now on the Edge. It lets you read and send messages from your bike computer. On the Edge 1060, Garmin says incoming messages play out loud through the speaker. The Edge 850 and 1050 have a built-in speaker too. The Edge 550 doesn’t, so on the 550 you read messages on the screen. Messenger is only in beta for the Edge 550, 850, 1050, and Edge MTB.
- GroupRide: Riders on Edges see each other’s position and messages during a ride. On the Edge 1060, Garmin added GroupRide detection, which lets you join a nearby GroupRide when your Edge finds one. Both betas add GroupRide features from the Edge 1060, so the Edge 1040 and Edge 840 get them too. Garmin’s changelogs don’t say exactly which GroupRide features are included.
- Alternate data fields: A backup field your Edge shows when the sensor for the main field isn’t connected. For example, if you ride a bike without a power meter, a power field can show something else instead. This one is only for the Edge 550, 850, 1050, and Edge MTB.
- Garmin Cycling Coach features: Both betas add “Garmin Cycling Coach features from Edge 1060”, so every Edge in this update gets them, down to the Edge 540. Garmin doesn’t say what these features are.
- Bug fixes worth knowing: Both betas fix battery drain when the Edge isn’t in use and incorrect gear-tracking mileage. The Edge 540, 840, and 1040 beta also fixes LiveTrack sessions ending after 24 hours, and elevation sometimes showing zero. The Edge 550, 850, and 1050 beta also fixes GPS and bike lights being disabled in Connect IQ apps, and a problem with setting the routing mode.
A week later, on October 27, Garmin posted follow-up betas. Version 33.15 fixes BaseCamp support and improves stability. Version 31.68 fixes Connect IQ apps turning off the bike light network.
Garmin has posted more betas since then. Versions 33.17, 33.20, and 33.21 are out for the Edge 550, 850, 1050, and Edge MTB, and versions 31.71 and 31.72 for the Edge 540, 840, and 1040. They only fix bugs and improve stability. None of them adds Edge 1060 features.
What Stays on the Edge 1060
I compared the Edge 1060 press release with the beta changelogs. These 1060 features aren’t part of the beta:
- Voice control: “Okay, Garmin” commands, like asking for your heart rate or a route.
- Voice messages: Sending Messenger messages by voice.
- Route Options and Route Previews: Choosing between routes, and seeing distance, time, traffic, and hazards before you ride.
- Up Ahead: The nearest points of interest along your route, like coffee shops or restrooms.
- Free Flow Routing: Routes with the fewest stops and intersections.
- Road closure alerts and voice hazard reports: Closures reported by other Garmin riders, and reporting hazards with voice.
The voice features make sense. The Edge 1060 has a built-in microphone. Garmin doesn’t list one for the older Edges, and voice control needs it.
The routing tools are harder to explain. Garmin’s changelogs and press release don’t say why they aren’t in the beta. In my Edge 1060 news, I said the routing tools were the most useful part for frequent travelers. So the part I liked most isn’t coming to older Edges for now. Voice control, the feature I didn’t see anyone asking for, isn’t coming either.
How to Install the Beta
Edge devices are “unable to be backdated at this time.” In other words, once the beta is on your Edge, you can’t go back to the older stable firmware, at least for now. Betas can also have bugs. That’s the point of a beta. Owners test the firmware before everyone else.
For comparison, the latest stable firmware on Garmin’s forums is 32.20 for the Edge 1050 (live since August 20, 2026) and 31.33 for the Edge 1040 series (live since July 8, 2026).
If you still want the beta, use the Garmin Connect website and a Wi-Fi network on your Edge:
- Sign in to Garmin Connect on the website.
- Click the icon in the upper right corner, then Device Settings for your Edge.
- Click Join Beta Software Program, then read and agree to the terms.
- On your Edge, add a Wi-Fi network if you haven’t already.
- Go to Main Menu > System > About > Check For Updates.
- If the install doesn’t start after the download, scroll up and select the software update (for example, Software Update 33.15).
You can leave the beta in the same place on the Garmin Connect website: Device Settings > Leave Beta Software Program > Opt Out. That stops the beta updates. It doesn’t put the older stable firmware back on your Edge.
Should You Install It?
It depends on how you use your Edge.
Install it if you want the new features now, and you can live with beta bugs. On the Edge 540, Edge 840, and Edge 1040, that means only the GroupRide and Cycling Coach features.
Wait, if your Edge is your main training or race tool. A bug at the wrong moment could cost you a ride, and you can’t go back to the stable firmware.
I prefer stable firmware, but for testing, I install betas to be able to report on them.
What It Means for the Edge 1060
The Edge 1060 launched at $799.99. With Messenger, GroupRide, and alternate data fields coming to the Edge 1050, the 1060’s case gets narrower. That makes the upgrade from an Edge 1050 an even harder sell than it was at launch. The only benefit of the Edge 1060 seems to be the voice control.
If you own an Edge 540, Edge 840, or Edge 1040, you get two features, not four. If that makes you think about moving to the newer model, I’ve compared each pair.
For the top model, read my Edge 1040 vs. Edge 1050 comparison. For the mid-range model, see Edge 840 vs. Edge 850. For the smallest model, see Edge 540 vs. Edge 550. You can also see where each model sits in my Garmin Edge bike computers guide.
Have you installed the beta? Let me know in the comments which Edge you have and how it runs.
Also available at rei.com and competitivecyclist.com
Sources:
- Garmin Edge 550/850/1050 public beta 33.13 announcement
- Garmin Edge 550/850/1050 public beta 33.15 announcement
- Garmin Edge MTB public beta 33.13 announcement
- Garmin Edge 540/840/1040 public beta 31.67 announcement
- Garmin Edge 540/840/1040 public beta 31.68 announcement
- Garmin Edge 1050 software 32.20 update
- Garmin Edge 1040 Series software 31.33 update
- Garmin Beta Wiki enroll page
- Garmin Beta Wiki return to live software page
- Garmin Edge 1060 press release
Preview image source: Garmin
