Ensuring you have the latest software installed on your Garmin watch is essential to getting the best experience.
Staying up to date means you have the latest features and ensures your device – whether it’s a Forerunner, Fenix, Vivoactive, Venu, Epix, or something else – avoids niggling bugs that may be undermining performance.
Luckily, updating one of the company’s sports watches is simple, and most users will receive automatic updates without even realizing it.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to check which software version you have downloaded and provide details on automatic and manual updating.
Check if you’re running the latest Garmin software

Software updates can be large or small and are often unique to specific Garmin models or lines. This is unlike what we see with Apple’s watchOS or Google’s Wear OS, in which updates are typically rolled out across the brand’s compatible watches.
Garmin is typically better at updating older models with new features than rivals, but the timing is often unpredictable. This can naturally help extend the life of your device and ensure the experience is always evolving.
How to check your watch software on Garmin Connect
1. Tap your device icon in the top banner on Garmin Connect, then bring up ‘Settings’ by selecting it again from the list of devices.
2. From here, scroll to the bottom and select ‘System’.
3. Scroll down to the bottom again and select ‘About’.
4. Here, you’ll see the Unit ID (the serial number) and the software version (e.g. 12.23). This information can be handy if your watch has problems that customer support can troubleshoot.
The easiest way to access the software version history is to perform a web search – ‘[device name and model] updates and downloads’.
Here, you should see results from the official Garmin site and can cross-reference your software version with the ones listed.
Enabling automatic software updates

Updating most Garmin watches can be an afterthought once paired with the Connect app, as automatic updates are the default setting.
To check or change this setting you’ll need to dive deep into the settings on the watch.
1. Long-press the ‘Up/Menu’ button on your Garmin watch.
2. From here, scroll down to ‘System’ and select it.
3. Next, scroll down to the bottom again and find ‘Sofware Update’.
3. Use the select button to toggle ‘Auto Update’ on or off.
Software updates will automatically be transmitted to the watch via Wi-Fi when enabled.
Manually updating your Garmin watch

Software updates won’t beam to your watch if you toggle ‘Automatic Software Updates’ to ‘Off’ within the settings. Instead, you’ll have to look for them.
Follow the same route listed above. This will allow you to install and apply it if your device is connected to Wi-Fi.
1. Long-press the ‘Up/Menu’ button on your Garmin watch.
2. Next, scroll down to the bottom and bring up ‘System’.
3. Scroll to the bottom again and find ‘Software Update’.
4. Tap ‘Check for Updates’ and wait for the watch to connect to Wi-Fi and search.
5. If a new version is available to download, the option to ‘Install Now’ and the estimated time will appear.
6. Press select to confirm and wait for the installation to occur.