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HomeGarmin Forerunner SeriesMassive Garmin Update: Version 16.28 Hits Forerunner 970 and 570 with 12+...

Massive Garmin Update: Version 16.28 Hits Forerunner 970 and 570 with 12+ New Features

Garmin has officially released Stable Version 16.28 for the Forerunner 970 and 570 series. This comprehensive update focuses on expanding “Glance” functionality, refining training intelligence, and squashing several persistent bugs that have lingered in previous builds.

Enhanced Health and Performance Glances

The centerpiece of this rollout is a suite of new Glances designed to give users faster access to personalized data. Athletes can now monitor their weight trends and battery performance directly from the main widget loop. Additionally, for those who balance their fitness with fandom, a new sports team tracker allows you to keep tabs on your favorite franchises from your wrist.

Perhaps most notably, Garmin is leaning into behavioral science with a feature that tracks how daily habits correlate with specific health metrics. The sleep tracking software has also been upgraded to offer “ideal” bedtime and wake-up suggestions based on your recovery patterns.

Advanced Training and Tactical Tools

For multi-sport enthusiasts, Version 16.28 introduces a dedicated Multi-Sport activity mode, making it seamless to transition between different disciplines in a single session. The update also brings a specific focus to dive-informed training guidance, ensuring that recent underwater excursions are factored into your recovery and exertion recommendations.

Cyclists and golfers aren’t left behind either. The update improves GPS pace responsiveness and adds voice alerts for those using compatible radar hardware. Golfers now can save custom targets on mapped courses, while gym-goers will benefit from more flexible “structured repeats” that carry over to future interval sessions.

Critical Bug Fixes and UI Improvements

Garmin has addressed several stability issues that were impacting the user experience. Key fixes include:

  • Resolving blank screen errors when accessing music during an active workout.

  • Eliminating device crashes triggered by loading indoor cycling courses.

  • Correcting the Garmin Coach bug where the wrong cycling workout would occasionally load.

  • Fixing data gaps in Backcountry Skiing summaries (specifically max speed and mileage).

The update also introduces Color Filters for the display, new alarm tones, and a “Stage Menu” option for smart notifications that lets you delay alerts until your current activity is finished.

How to Install Update 16.28

While Garmin typically rolls these updates out in phases, users can bypass the wait by manually triggering the download. To update your Forerunner 970 or 570, navigate to:

Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates

Change Log Summary:

• Adds a glance that tracks your weight.
• Updates your training guidance with consideration to recent dives.
• Adds a glance that tracks battery life details and performance.
• Adds a glance for tracking your favorite sports teams.
• Adds training plans that focus on timed workouts, cardio workouts, and optional strength workouts.
• Adds a glance to track how daily behaviors affect certain health metrics.
• Adds insights to the sleep glance for your ideal bed time and wake time.
• Adds color filters to the watch settings.
• Adds voice alerts to the watch settings.
• Adds an activity to record multiple sports in a row.
• Adds voice alerts when using a compatible radar device.
• Adds additional alarm sounds.
• Adds smart notifications to the stage menu to allow notifications to be delayed until after the activity.
• Improves pace to be more responsive.
• Allows custom targets to be saved on golf courses.
• Saves changes to structured repeats for the next interval workout.
• Fixes an issue where the wrong Garmin Coach cycling workout could be loaded when selecting to do the workout.
• Fixes an issue that could cause the device to reset when loading a course for indoor cycling.
• Fixes an issue that could cause a blank screen to appear after accessing the music player during an activity.
• Fixes an issue that could cause partial failures when using Wi-Fi for uploads.
• Fixes the backcountry ski post-activity summary not showing max. speed or mileage.
• Fixes other minor bugs.
• Updates translations.

Also Read: The Best Garmin Watches of 2026: A Beginner’s Guide to the Ultimate Ecosystem

Andre Larson
Andre Larsonhttps://www.garminnews.com
Andre Larson is a dedicated endurance athlete and technical analyst specializing in the Garmin ecosystem. With over 8 years of experience tracking everything from trail runs to triathlon splits on Garmin wearables, Andre provides a unique "boots-on-the-ground" perspective on software updates and hardware leaks. Based in New Jersey, he is currently training for his next Marathon with a Fenix 8 on his wrist.
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