Garmin is preparing a quick software update for the Cirqa, its first screenless smart band, after early users flagged a missing basic workout function. The feature in question is live heart rate tracking during exercise, which had appeared to require a Garmin Connect+ subscription.
Update coming within days
According to Garmin, the next Garmin Connect Mobile build will restore live heart rate display during activities for Cirqa owners at no extra cost. The company says the change should arrive in the coming days, bringing the band closer to the subscription-free experience it originally promised.
The Cirqa launched at $199.99 and was positioned as a direct alternative to other screenless fitness bands. While this update will make a core workout metric freely available, some advanced tools will still remain part of Garmin's paid ecosystem, including personalized coaching, nutrition tracking, meditation, and breathing features.
Garmin says future paid options would be additive rather than replacing features that are already free. That approach matters in a market where users increasingly expect essential health data to be accessible without extra monthly fees. For now, the Cirqa update signals a fast response to user feedback and a clearer balance between hardware value and software access.
As wearable tech continues to evolve, updates like this may help define a more transparent and user-first future for connected fitness.
