Key Takeaways
1. Garmin has released software version 6.17 for the Forerunner 570 and 970 smartwatches, marking its first stable update since their launch in May 2025.
2. The update improves battery life for the Forerunner 970 and the 47 mm version of the Forerunner 570, though specific improvements in battery duration are not disclosed.
3. A translation update is now available for users in Japan, but the update does not address reported bug issues on Garmin forums, such as touchscreen problems and rebooting issues.
4. Users can access the software update by navigating to Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates on their smartwatches.
5. The Forerunner 970 is priced at $549.99 on Amazon and is expected to last up to 15 days, while the Forerunner 570 (47 mm) can last up to 11 days on a single charge.
Garmin has rolled out software version 6.17 for the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 smartwatches. These running devices were introduced in late May 2025. This update is the first stable one for these watches, which Garmin refers to as a hotfix.
Battery Improvements
The software update, version 6.17, reportedly boosts the battery life “on watch face” for the Forerunner 970 and the larger 47 mm version of the Forerunner 570 (currently priced at $549.99 on Amazon). Sadly, Garmin hasn’t provided any details about how much battery life has improved. Just to remind, the Forerunner 970 is expected to last up to 15 days, while the Forerunner 570 47 mm can last up to 11 days on a single charge.
Translation Updates and Issues
For those who bought one of these new Forerunner smartwatches in Japan, an update for translations is now available. The last note in the change log is a bit mysterious, mentioning “changes to support manufacturing.” However, the software release doesn’t seem to address any bug fixes related to problems users have reported on the Garmin forum. These include touch-screen issues on the Forerunner 570 and a rebooting problem on the Forerunner 970 that is connected to features like Google Assistant and maps.
How to Get the Update
Garmin states that software version 6.17 is accessible now for all users of the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 smartwatches. To download this update, simply navigate to Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates.
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