Garmin has rolled out a new beta software update for its Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 smartwatches, introducing more than a dozen fixes and refinements as part of its ongoing beta program. The update follows earlier releases this month and is now being distributed to enrolled users.
The new release, Beta Version 16.17, is focused largely on bug fixes, with most changes aimed at resolving device resets and display problems. According to the changelog, several issues could cause the watches to restart during common actions, including viewing the heart-rate variability (HRV) chart or managing sports team settings.
See also: Garmin Watches Gain Third-Party App to Estimate Blood-Caffeine Levels
“Garmin has found another dozen or so improvements that it has packaged as Beta Version 16.17,” the article said, noting that nine of the listed changes address stability issues affecting activities, navigation screens and course loading, including indoor cycling.
In addition to fixes, the update adds support for more spoken watch face complications and introduces the ability to show stoppage time in sports scores. Garmin has also refined audio prompts so distance interval alerts now report elapsed time, and improved the layout of the course details page.
See also: Garmin Update 25.11 Improves Heart Rate and Map Functions on Approach S70
The update is expected to reach all beta program participants for the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 within the next few days, with an option to request it manually. Garmin has used frequent beta releases to test improvements before rolling them out more broadly across its smartwatch lineup.