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| Garmin’s Forerunner 970 smartwatch is receiving software v16.28 |
If you’ve been waiting for the next big feature drop for your Garmin Forerunner, the wait is finally over. Garmin has officially begun rolling out Software Version 16.28 for the popular Forerunner 570 and the high-end Forerunner 970, marking the end of the beta testing phase that kicked off back in December 2025.
After weeks of testing and community feedback, the stable build is now hitting wrists worldwide. And it’s not just a bunch of minor bug fixes—this update is packed with over ten new features designed to refine your training, streamline your morning routine, and even help you keep up with your favorite sports teams.
Here is everything you need to know about the latest update hitting your Garmin right now.
Four New Glances to Personalize Your Experience
Garmin continues to lean heavily into the "Glances" ecosystem (those scrollable widgets on your watch face), and version 16.28 introduces four handy new additions:
- Weight Trend Glance: For those monitoring body composition changes alongside their mileage, this dedicated glance helps you track weight fluctuations over time, integrating seamlessly with the Garmin Connect app.
- Battery & Performance Glance: A new overview screen that lets you see your battery status at a glance alongside key performance metrics. No more digging through menus to check if you have enough juice for that long run.
- Favorite Sports Teams Glance: This is a fun lifestyle addition. You can now sync your favorite sports teams to your watch, giving you live scores and updates right on your wrist. Perfect for checking the score during a cooldown.
- Habits Glance: Garmin’s strength has always been in data, and this new glance aims to connect the dots for you. It shows how your daily habits—sleep, stress, and activity—are impacting your overall health and training readiness.
Speaking of sleep: The existing Sleep Glance has also received a significant upgrade. It now goes beyond just showing you your sleep stages. It actively suggests a recommended bedtime and wake-up time based on your sleep history and upcoming calendar events, helping you optimize your recovery schedule.
Training Gets an Overhaul (and Fewer Interruptions)
For runners and multisport athletes, the update brings a wealth of new tools to play with in the training mode.
Garmin has expanded its native training plans to include more variety. You’ll now find new plans for timed workouts, cardio sessions, and strength training. This move makes the Forerunner series an even more versatile coach for cross-training days when you want to hit the gym or the pool rather than the pavement.
Do Not Disturb, but Make it Smart
One of the most requested quality-of-life features finally arrives with this update. Athletes have long complained about buzzing notifications disrupting their flow during a race or interval session. Now, smart notifications can be paused until after your activity. This setting is controlled directly via the stage menu, allowing you to enter "race mode" mentally without worrying about emails breaking your concentration.
Tuning the Details: Alarms, Alerts, and Accessibility
The update isn't just about big features; it's about refining the user experience. Garmin has added additional settings for color filters (a welcome addition for those with visual impairments or anyone who prefers a specific display tint) and customizable voice alerts.
Furthermore, if you are tired of the standard beeping, you’ll be happy to hear that there are now more alarm sounds to choose from, allowing for a gentler (or more aggressive) wake-up call.
Bug Fixes and Stability
As with any stable release, version 16.28 cleans up the messiness of the beta. This update specifically tackles several bugs, including:
- Issues with indoor cycling data tracking.
- Glitches in the music player controls.
- Problems with Wi-Fi uploads syncing to Garmin Connect.
How to Get the Update
According to a post on the Garmin Forums, the rollout is currently live and has reached approximately 50% of users for both the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 models. The company has indicated that the rollout will continue to expand and should be completed globally in the very near future.
If you haven't received the notification yet, you can force the update manually. Simply navigate to:
Main Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates
You can view the full discussion and community feedback regarding the rollout here: Garmin Forums - Forerunner 570 Series Software Version 16.28
The Verdict
Garmin continues to prove that it supports its devices long after the purchase date. By bringing features like the Sports Teams glance and the improved Sleep recommendations to the Forerunner 570 and 970, they are bridging the gap between a hardcore training tool and a daily lifestyle wearable.
For those still on the fence about picking up a Forerunner, the Garmin Forerunner 970 is currently available on Amazon, featuring this new software out of the box. You can check the latest price and availability here: Garmin Forerunner 970 on Amazon (from $719.99).
Whether you're chasing a marathon PR or just trying to build better daily habits, this update makes the Forerunner series a more compelling companion than ever. Keep an eye on your wrist for that update notification
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| The software version 16.28 change log for the Garmin Forerunner 970 |