Garmin has officially released a major software update for its Forerunner 970 and 570 smartwatches. The new stable version, numbered 17.33, comes after more than two months of testing in public beta.
Forerunner owners can now download the software directly through their watch settings.
New Features for Golfers and Travelers
The update introduces several new tools to make the watches more useful. Golfers can now pair their watch with Approach CT1 club sensors to track their game. Garmin also added a quick “silent mode” shortcut to quiet the device instantly.
For travelers and outdoor fans, the update adds a “Man Overboard” navigation tool to quickly mark a location in an emergency. Additionally, users can now scan QR codes on the watch screen to read about different map layers on their phones.
Fixing Annoying Bugs and Crashes
A large part of this update focuses on making the watches more reliable. Many users complained that their watches would randomly restart or freeze. Garmin says it has fixed crashes that happened while saving activities, viewing the evening report, and downloading apps.
The update also resolves a frustrating bug that caused the battery to drain too fast after making a phone call or using the voice assistant.
Better Tracking for Swimmers and Runners
Athletes will notice smoother performance during workouts. For swimmers, the watch will now correctly vibrate for send-off times, and pool workouts will no longer skip steps by accident.
For runners, the watch will stop trying to automatically detect a running track when you are actually out on a trail run. Garmin also fixed a glitch where the buttons would stop working during indoor climbing and bouldering sessions. You can see the full change log in the pictures below!
How to Get the Update Now
While the software is rolling out automatically, you do not have to wait for it to hit your device.
You can download it manually right now by opening the Main Menu on your watch, navigating to Settings, selecting System, tapping Software Update, and choosing Check For Updates.
Also Read:Â Massive Garmin Sale: Newest Watches Receiving Big Discounts Including Fenix, Venu, Enduro, Instinct & More
