Unveiling Hidden Features of Garmin Devices
Garmin devices are renowned for their extensive range of activity and watch settings. These settings can be fine-tuned even when you’re not engaged in an exercise routine. Whether you want to build new workouts, select fresh watch faces, check your Body Battery and Readiness scores, or even monitor your stock market options, Garmin offers an impressive variety of functionalities across its lineup of devices.
However, navigating through these intricate settings can sometimes feel like journeying through a labyrinth. Often, when you’re deep in the settings menu, you may find yourself pressing the ‘back’ button multiple times to return to the home screen. This can be quite frustrating, especially when one expects technology to offer ease and seamless interaction. A simple gesture to return to the home screen would enhance the user experience significantly.
I have had the privilege of testing numerous Garmin watches, from the economical Vivoactive to the advanced Garmin Fenix 8. Throughout my testing—analyzing GPS accuracy and exploring features like dive computers—I occasionally overlook some of the remarkable features these watches offer. Just recently, I highlighted a lesser-known feature called Gear Tracking in Garmin Connect. A conversation I had brought my attention to another hidden gem: the palm gesture.
The Palm Gesture: A Hidden Shortcut
During a discussion with TechRadar’s Homes Editor, Cat Ellis, who previously served as the Fitness Editor, she expressed her disappointment that the Lily 2 Active did not support the classic Garmin touchscreen gesture. This gesture, which involves covering the watch face with your palm, allows users to quickly return to the home screen. While this feature is not widely advertised, it serves as a time-saver for many Garmin enthusiasts. Officially, Garmin refers to it as the ‘palm gesture.’
It’s important to note that the palm gesture isn’t available during activity tracking, but it nonetheless serves another purpose. For instance, when using my Garmin Venu 4 during a run, the palm gesture doesn’t return me to the home screen; instead, it locks the touchscreen. This feature prevents sweat, water, or any clothing from inadvertently changing the view on the screen during a workout. However, the Lily 2 Active lacks a touchscreen lock function, which explains why this gesture is ineffective on that model.
For Garmin watches that do support the touchscreen lock, the palm gesture is an elegant, clean, and effective feature, albeit one that is often forgotten. Luckily, I’m here to remind you of its utility.
How to Use the Palm Gesture in Garmin Connect
(Image credit: Future)
- On a touchscreen Garmin watch, navigate through the menus and settings as usual.
- To return to the home screen, briefly cover the entire watch face with your palm.
- Your device will revert to the home screen.
Garmin notes: “If you want to return to the watch face from any screen (except while recording an activity), you can press your palm to the entire watch face. This will also dim the backlight, which can be reset by tapping the screen.”
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
If you’re looking for more hidden features and insights into Garmin devices, you can learn more Here.
Image Credit: www.techradar.com
