Ensuring you have the latest software installed on your Garmin watch is essential to getting the best experience.
Staying up to date not only means you have the latest features but also ensures that 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 currently 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. Unlike a platform such as Apple’s watchOS, these are unique to specific Garmin models or lines.
Garmin is typically better than most outdoor watch companies at trickling the latest features down to older models, even if the timing or placement is often erratic.
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. In Garmin Connect, tap your device icon at the top, then select it again from the list of devices to bring up ‘Settings’.
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 you’re having problems with your watch and need to troubleshoot through customer support.
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, where you can cross-reference your software version with the ones listed.
Enabling automatic software updates
Updating the software on most Garmin watches can be an afterthought once paired with the Garmin Connect mobile app.
Automatic software updates are the default, and 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’ – then 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, and you’ll have the opportunity to install it 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 it will take will appear.
6. Press select to confirm and wait for the installation to take place.
