Garmin releases major new update to older mid-range smartwatches in long-awaited stable release
Garmin only included recent releases like the Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970 and Venu X1 (curr. $799.99 on Amazon) in its recent August 2025 Feature Update. As we discussed at the time, it was unclear whether older devices would receive the eighteen new features described in its update documentation.
Now, the company has started rolling out a new update for the Instinct Crossover, Instinct 2, Instinct 2S and Instinct 2X on its stable software channel. For context, Garmin issued Beta Version 17.05 about two weeks ago. Now, it has started offering the same build to all Instinct Crossover, Instinct 2 and Instinct 2X owners, over a year after it released Software Version 16.11.
With that in mind, it should come as no surprise to learn that Garmin has readied numerous changes between System Software 16.11 and System Software 17.05. By our count, all smartwatches should receive over a dozen bug fixes after applying Garmin's new update. Unfortunately, no new features are included in System Software 17.05. The full changelog, including smartwatch-specific bug fixes, are as follows:
All Instinct 2 series smartwatches:
- Fixed potential issues with solar charging (Solar models only).
- Fixed manual barometer calibration.
- Fixed issue that could cause Connect to fail to display which course was used for activity.
- Fixed Fish activity timer.
- Fixed Mixed Martial Arts activity name displaying incorrectly in Connect.
- Fixed weight value incorrectly changing when editing reps.
- Fixed issue with dog track distance units.
- Fixed issue with nautical distance data field.
- Fixed steps recording during horseback riding activities.
- Fixed scaling issue on HRV chart.
- Fixed issue where "Wallet Locked" message would display incorrectly.
- Fixed issue in Open Water activity where distance could increase without moving.
- Fixed potential issues with Reference Point app.
Instinct Crossover & Instinct 2X specific:
- Fixed potential issue where CPE is missing and GPS version displays incorrectly.
- Fixed issue where Tides glance would be blank.
Instinct 2X specific:
- Fixed issue with strobe light during multisport activities.
