Garmin Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S receive bug fixes and new features with Alpha version 9.10 update

Garmin has released a new Alpha update to the Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S, which it introduced in February 2022. Available from US$349.99, prices rise to US$399.99 for Camo, Dēzl and Surf editions. By contrast, Garmin also sells the Instinct 2 Tactical for US$499.99, along with Solar models for US$100 more than their non-Solar siblings.

Specifically, Garmin has released Alpha version 9.10, before which you must install a secure_config.gcd file within Primary\Garmin\RemoteSW folder on your watch. According to Garmin, Alpha version 9.10 adds native run power for the Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S, as well as the reference point app and a few missing data fields in elliptical and stairstep activities. Additionally, the software update removes inapplicable breathwork activity options, although it is unclear why they were enabled in the first place.

Moreover, Garmin claims to have addressed over half-a-dozen bugs, including various UI-related ones that affected the heart rate glance. Furthermore, Alpha version 9.10 should fix potential bugs that disabled battery saver mode and caused the Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S to get stuck on the pairing page during initial GCM pairing. Separately, neither smartwatch should show invalid values on the breathwork activity stats page, nor should they end swim workouts incorrectly. You can read the full Alpha version 9.10 changelog on Garmin's website, from which you can download the update for the appropriate smartwatch.

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