TL;DR: Garmin has officially released software version 15.16, a significant stable update for its popular Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 multisport watches. This release concludes a testing cycle that began in September 2025 and delivers a host of highly-requested features, including the new Health Glance for sleep, granular notification controls, and important fixes for battery drain and unexpected reboots.
In a welcome move for the global community of runners and triathletes, Garmin has officially pushed out a new stable software update for its flagship Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 smartwatches. Designated as version 15.16, this release marks the culmination of the 15.xx beta testing period, signaling a mature and polished set of enhancements ready for all users.
This isn't just a minor maintenance patch. Garmin is delivering a substantial package of new functionalities and, just as importantly, tackling some persistent technical gremlins that users have reported in recent months.
What’s New? A Deep Dive into the Features
The 15.16 update is all about refining the user experience, both for daily health tracking and intense athletic performance. Here’s a breakdown of the most exciting additions:
- Introducing the Health Glance: Borrowing a flagship feature from the latest Venu 4, the new Health Glance now provides a comprehensive, at-a-glance overview of your sleep and recovery data. This gives Forerunner users a more integrated and insightful look into how their rest is impacting their readiness to train.
- Granular Notification Control: Tired of being buzzed by every single app on your phone? Garmin has heard you. You can now adjust notification settings on an app-by-app basis directly from your watch. This allows for a truly personalized smartwatch experience, ensuring you only get the alerts that matter most during your day or workout.
- Enhanced Report Accessibility: Your personalized Morning Report and Evening Report, which summarize your daily stats and prepare you for the day or night ahead, can now be conveniently viewed in the Notification Center if you happen to miss them initially.
- Smarter Workout Controls: For athletes in the middle of a session, new controls add convenience. You can now use the down key to quickly close a training alert, and a simple gesture of covering the screen with your palm will exit a smart notification, allowing you to stay in the zone without fumbling with buttons.
Squashing Bugs: Stability and Performance Enhancements
Beyond the new features, this update addresses several critical issues that have been discussed in user forums. The stable release directly targets:
- Faster-than-expected battery drain
- Unexpected device reboots
- Screen blanking without warning
For Forerunner 970 owners, there's an exclusive bonus fix. Garmin has resolved a specific issue with the "Search Near" functionality on maps, which was previously not working as expected. This will be a relief for adventurers and trail runners who rely on the watch's advanced navigation features.
For a complete, official list of all changes, the community is actively discussing the release in the Garmin Forerunner 570 forum.
How to Get the Update on Your Watch
A Garmin community representative has confirmed that software version 15.16 is now available for all Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 devices. The update is delivered over-the-air, but you don't have to wait for it to pop up automatically.
To manually trigger the installation on your watch, simply navigate to:
Main Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates.
Ensure your watch is charged above 50% and is connected to your phone via Garmin Connect for a smooth process.
This update reinforces Garmin's commitment to supporting its devices long-term, adding value to already powerful wearables. The Forerunner series continues to be a top contender for serious athletes, and this refresh of features and stability only solidifies its position.
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is currently available for purchase at leading retailers like Amazon*.
