Garmin rolls out new update to several popular smartwatches with multiple security improvements

Garmin has delivered a new batch of updates for multiple mid-range smartwatches. To recap, the company introduced a new beta build for the Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, Venu 4, Venu X1 and Vivoactive 6 (curr. $299 on Amazon) at the end of last week.

So far, Garmin has offered four beta updates to those smartwatches in its 18.xx beta cycle. Nonetheless, the company's latest stable update for these five smartwatches maintains older v17.xx development. For reference, Garmin hoped to have finished v17.xx development with the release of Software Version 17.33 at the end of May.

However, Software Version 17.37 landed earlier this week with alleged battery life improvements. Now, Garmin has replaced this update with Software Version 17.38, which it is distributing as an over-the-air (OTA) download. Please note, the new update is only said to provide 'general security improvements. Garmin has not elaborated further.

At the time of publication, the company claims to have already offered v17.38 to around 20% of eligible smartwatches via Garmin Connect Mobile or Garmin Express. If your smartwatch remains on older software, you can trigger Software Version 17.38 by navigating through Garmin's main menu to Settings, System and then Software Update. Please see Garmin's forum for more details.