Garmin has issued new beta software updates for its Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 smartwatches, arriving roughly a month after a major stable update introduced new features and performance enhancements. The latest beta builds focus on bug fixes and minor improvements, according to the company.
The Forerunner 570 has received beta version 15.31, while the Forerunner 970 is rolling out with beta version 15.30. Garmin did not explain the discrepancy in version numbering between the two models. In both cases, the changelog lists only “various bug fixes and improvements,” offering no clarity on which issues have been addressed or what performance gains users should expect.
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The rollout follows stable software version 15.16, released in November 2025, which added features such as Health Status, app-level notification controls, and a palm-to-screen gesture to exit notifications. Garmin described earlier that release as bringing a “broad range of features and improvements,” setting expectations for continued refinement.
However, a known notification issue reported by Forerunner 970 owners appears unresolved. Several users on Garmin’s forum stated that text message alerts are not appearing on screen or triggering sound or vibration, though notifications for phone calls and other apps continue to function normally. Garmin has not publicly acknowledged the issue or provided a timeline for a fix.
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Users enrolled in Garmin’s beta program can download the new updates immediately by navigating to Main Menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates on their smartwatch. Garmin has not indicated when the next stable release will be available.
Source: Garmin Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970