The Garmin Cirqa Watch Has Finally Received a Long-Awaited Feature.

This week, the screenless Garmin Cirqa smartband received a firmware update that addresses one of its most obvious shortcomings: the lack of phone notifications. Version 4.20 now allows you to configure the smartband to vibrate on your wrist when receiving text messages, calls, and other smart notifications from your phone. On the Garmin forums, this feature is labeled “Vibration support for smart notifications/incoming calls.” User reaction on the Garmin subreddit was also positive, with users excited about the new feature.

Ironically, Garmin’s FAQ still states that the Cirqa doesn’t vibrate when receiving text messages, phone calls, or other smartphone notifications. This information is obviously outdated, so Garmin will want to fix it. Since Garmin doesn’t yet have step-by-step instructions, I tested the text message vibration myself. Here’s how to set up your Cirqa smartband to vibrate for calls and text messages, along with a few other promising updates.

How to set up call and message alerts on your Garmin Cirqa

To receive these notifications, your bracelet must be running firmware version 4.20 or later. Here’s how to set it up.

1. Update the firmware. Open the Garmin Connect app and sync Cirqa so the app can check for and install version 4.20 or later.

2. Grant the necessary permissions to your phone. In your phone settings, ensure Garmin Connect has permission to access SMS, contacts, and phone information.

3. Set up notifications in Garmin Connect. Back in Garmin Connect, tap the “Menu” (or “More “) tab. Select “Garmin Devices,” then select your Cirqa smartband. Go to the “Notifications & Alerts” (or “Smart Notifications “) section and enable text message and call alerts.

Troubleshooting tip: If you’re not receiving notifications, make sure Do Not Disturb, Sleep, and any aggressive power saving settings are turned off on your phone and band.

What else is new in Garmin Cirqa?

For most Cirqa fans, the main new feature is phone notifications, but the 4.20 update contains a solid list of other improvements and bug fixes:

• Trail Running: Run/Walk mode detection is now available for trail running workouts.

• Fixed a timestamp issue: Fixed an issue where the time recorded during an activity would not match the time on your phone.

• Distance Calibration: You can now calibrate the distance for treadmill running, indoor rowing, and indoor cycling before saving a workout to your device.

• Duration Notifications: Duration notifications for utterances now accumulate.

• Stress alerts: Stress alerts are now blocked during automatic activity detection recording.

• Bedtime Reminders: Fixed an issue where the bedtime notification would sometimes not work.

• Real-Time Activity: Your heart rate is now displayed on the Real-Time Activity screen before you start recording.

• Fixed a bug with pinned actions: Fixed a bug where pinned actions would revert to “Timed Actions” after changing the phone language.

• Workout Editing: Fixed a bug that prevented you from editing the number of reps during a workout.

• Stability: General system stability improvements.

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