Garmin has begun rolling out a significant software update for its premium smartwatch lineup, including the Fenix 8, Fenix E, Enduro 3, Quatix 8, and Tactix 8. The update, identified as System Software 17.28, consolidates nearly a dozen beta builds and introduces a broad range of new features alongside numerous bug fixes.
System Software 17.28 marks the first major update for the Fenix 8 series and its associated models since the release of the previous system version. The update incorporates more than 40 new features, among them the Evening Report, Custom Focus Modes, Garmin Triathlon Coach, and a Smart Wake Alarm. These additions are designed to enhance user experience and provide more personalized and advanced functionality for sports, fitness, and daily activity tracking.
See also: Garmin Pushes Out Major August 2025 Update Across Smartwatches and Cycling Computer
In addition to new features, the update addresses 65 reported software issues, reflecting Garmin’s efforts to improve the stability and performance of its high-end devices. Minor adjustments are also included, such as modifications to the Find My Device function to ensure alerts are more noticeable. Overall, System Software 17.28 represents a comprehensive update, building on the enhancements tested through the beta 17.xx cycle, including Beta Version 17.25, which was released earlier in the month.
The update is being distributed gradually, with Garmin reporting that only a fraction of eligible devices have received notifications to download the new software. The rollout strategy suggests that users can expect to receive the update in stages over the coming weeks. Garmin’s premium smartwatch models, such as the Fenix 8, are currently priced around $1,399.99, reflecting their positioning in the high-end wearable market.
See also: Garmin Set to Rebrand Contactless Payment Service as Garmin Wallet
For reference, the new update contains the following changelog across all eligible smartwatches:
- Added Ability to Access Apps List by Swiping Left on the Watch Face.
- Added Auto Lap by Timing Gates.
- Added Calculator App.
- Added Custom Focus Modes.
- Added Daily Suggested Workouts – Track Run.
- Added Daily Summary Notifications to Notification Center.
- Added Editing for All Previous Sets in Strength.
- Added Emoji Keyboard.
- Added Evening Report.
- Added Expanded Morning Report Support.
- Added Find My Phone Notifications to Notification Center.
- Added Garmin Triathlon Coach.
- Added Golf Range Finder Settings Menu.
- Added Japanese Kana Keyboard.
- Added Mobility Activity and Workouts.
- Added More QWERTY Keyboard Layouts.
- Added Morning Report to Notification Center.
- Added Move Alert 2.0.
- Added Move Alert Notifications to Notification Center.
- Added Multisport Workout.
- Added Music Options to Music More Controls Page.
- Added New Help Dialogs for Breathing Variations.
- Added Performance Glance Enhancements.
- Added Projected Race Time.
- Added Race Timer Data Field to Sail Race Activity.
- Added Rest Countdown to Strength Activities.
- Added Resting Heart Rate Insight to Heart Rate Widget.
- Added Running Economy.
- Added Running Power to the Lactate Threshold Page.
- Added Running Tolerance.
- Added Smart Wake Alarm.
- Added Software Update Notifications to the Notification Center.
- Added Step Speed Loss.
- Added Stop Navigation Options to Activity Stage and Navigation Menus.
- Added Storm Alert Notifications to Notification Center.
- Added Stress/Relax Notifications to Notification Center.
- Added Suggested Finish Line.
- Added Tack Assist Data Page in Sailing Activities.
- Added Temperature Sensor Page.
- Added Touch Access to Keyboard Menu.
- Added Track/Road Display Transitions.
- Added Triathlon Race Events.
- Fixed Activity History Showing Distance Instead of Floors Climbed for Floor Climbing Activity.
- Fixed Altitude Chart Showing Invalid Data After an Activity.
- Fixed Anchor App Alarm Settings Crash.
- Fixed Backlight Not Turning On When Timer Completes.
- Fixed Barometer Calibration Not Properly Setting the Value.
- Fixed Being Able To Pair Without Confirming Passcode After Resetting Device.
- Fixed Black Progress Bar on Intensity Minutes.
- Fixed Body Battery Value Overlapping Icon on Watch Face.
- Fixed Color Shift Not Turning On When Watch Goes into Sleep Mode.
- Fixed Countdown Timer After an Incorrect Passcode Showing an Invalid Timeout.
- Fixed Crash in Sleep Score Widget When There Is No Data.
- Fixed Crash on Cycling Ability Glance.
- Fixed Crash When Backing Out of Daily Suggested Workout Previews.
- Fixed Crash When Pressing Back Key in Add Activities Menu.
- Fixed Crash When Removing Stock From Stock Widget.
- Fixed Decimal Precision For Barometer Watch Face Complications.
- Fixed Device Lock Shortcut Immediately Re-locking.
- Fixed Find My Phone Prompting to Navigate Back to Phone When Phone Connection is Manually Disabled.
- Fixed Fitness Age Popping Up During Sleep Mode.
- Fixed Garmin Coach Glance Not Showing Second Scheduled Workout After Completing the First Workout.
- Fixed Green Phone Icon on Activity Stage.
- Fixed Header on Climbing Grade Selection Menu.
- Fixed HR Sensor Connection in Gaming Activity.
- Fixed Inconsistency Between Temperature Glance and App.
- Fixed Incorrect Color When Pinning an Activity and Changing its Color.
- Fixed Initial Setup GPS To Set Time Confirmation Page.
- Fixed Invalid VO2 Max Value When Device is Locked.
- Fixed Issue Where Automatic Shot Detection Could Stop Working if the Device Stays On for Multiple Days.
- Fixed Lag on Morning Report Daily Suggested Workouts Card.
- Fixed Lap Key Shortcut Not Working When Disabling Activity Lap Key.
- Fixed Low Battery Alerts Coming in Sleep Mode.
- Fixed Map Layer Settings Not Updating in GCM When Changed on Watch.
- Fixed Map of Dog Widget Stuck in Pan/Zoom Mode.
- Fixed MIP Watch Face Edit Screen Not Updating When Changing Background Color.
- Fixed Morning Report Not Displaying Correct DSW Target Type.
- Fixed Morning Report Themes Displaying Same Image Every Day.
- Fixed Not Being Able To Delete Voice Notes Until After They Have Been Played.
- Fixed Notification Time Inconsistencies.
- Fixed Passcode Accidentally Closing Assistance Page.
- Fixed Passcode Not Being Set Properly After Backdating to Earlier Software Versions.
- Fixed Phone Volume Control Not Working.
- Fixed Pinning a Map Layer During Activity Causing the Activity To End.
- Fixed Possible Crash When Calculating a Round Trip Bike Course.
- Fixed Possible Crashes in Notification Center.
- Fixed Potential Crash on Stocks List Edit Page.
- Fixed Potential Crash when Changing to Music Swim Lane with Low Battery.
- Fixed Restoring From Backup Failing After Setting a Passcode.
- Fixed Saved Timer List.
- Fixed Sensor Found Page Not Updating After Pairing Started.
- Fixed Sight N Go Not Starting From Map Navigation Menu.
- Fixed Sluggish UI After Saving Activity.
- Fixed Spacing on Watch Face High/Low Temperature Data Field.
- Fixed Stair Stepper History Showing Bad Data.
- Fixed Stock Glance Chart Overlapping With Chart.
- Fixed Text Formatting Issue on Double Time Watch Face.
- Fixed Timer Page Closing When Starting a Timer.
- Fixed Toggling off Smart Notifications From Do Not Disturb Settings Also Toggling It Off for All Day Notifications and Alerts.
- Fixed Touch Lock not Fully Stopping Touch On Watch Face.
- Fixed Touch Transitions on the Recovery Heart Rate Page.
- Fixed Using Places Of Interest as an Outdoor Maps Plus Download Location.
- Fixed Videos in Tips App Disappearing when Scrolling.
- Fixed Voice Notes Not Sounding After Renaming.
- Fixed Watch Face Date Showing The Wrong Date.
- Fixed Wind Direction Changing When Connecting to a LRF.
- Fixed Wrong Altitudes When Using Places of Interest.
- Improved Answering and Declining Phone Calls with Touch.
- Improved Find My Device to Always Use Max Volume.
- Improved Lag on the Iron Grit Watch Face.
- Increased Personal Records Screens Time Outs.
- Removed Gauge from Iron Grit Watch Face in Low Power Mode.
- Updated CIQ Watch Faces to be Hidden when Device Locked.
- Updated Power Off Menu to Two Option Layout.
