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| Garmin’s Descent G2 is receiving software v25.21 |
If you’re one of the many scuba divers who’ve traded your traditional dive computer for the watch-style Garmin Descent G2, you’ll want to grab your charging cable. Garmin has started rolling out system software version 25.21, a stable update that brings at least one genuinely useful new feature—plus some behind-the-scenes polish to a key safety metric.
The update arrives just a few weeks after the company pushed out version 25.14, which was largely a bug-squashing release. Now, with 25.21, Garmin is adding functionality that frequent dive buddies and instructors will especially appreciate.
What’s New in System Software 25.21? Meet Dive Setup Sharing
The headline feature in this release is called Dive Setup Sharing. Exactly what it sounds like: you can now copy your gas list, conservatism settings, and other key dive parameters directly from one Descent G2 to another.
According to a post in the Garmin forum, the transfer works over a short-range wireless connection. The two watches need to be within about 3 meters (roughly 10 feet) of each other during the process. You’ll find the tool under Dive Setup > Setup Sharing on the device itself.
Why does this matter? If you’re teaching a course, diving with a partner who uses the same computer, or just setting up multiple units for a trip, you no longer have to manually punch in the same gas mixes and deco settings on each watch. One tap, and you’re done.
Garmin hasn’t said whether this feature will eventually come to other models like the Descent Mk3 series, but for now it’s exclusive to the G2.
GF99 Gets a Surface-Level Refinement
Less flashy but still important: the update tweaks the behavior of the Gradient Factor 99% (GF99) data field when you’re back on the surface. GF99 is a real-time indicator of your current tissue nitrogen loading relative to your chosen gradient factors—think of it as a more granular version of the classic “ceiling” display.
In the release notes, Garmin simply says that “the behaviour of this metric on the surface has been enhanced.” No deeper explanation was provided, but for tech divers who track GF99 closely, any improvement in how the watch handles surface intervals and post-dive resetting is welcome news. It’s likely a fix for occasional glitches where the value would freeze or behave erratically once you’re out of the water.
How to Get the Update (It’s Simple)
The new software is available to all Descent G2 owners now. To install it, just connect your watch to one of three Garmin apps:
- Garmin Dive app (iOS/Android – best for dedicated dive logging)
- Garmin Connect app (the main fitness and health hub)
- Garmin Express (desktop software for Windows and Mac)
Once connected, the update should appear automatically. The whole process takes about 10–15 minutes, so make sure your battery is above 50% before starting.
Still a Top Contender in the Dive Watch Market
For anyone on the fence, the Descent G2 currently sits at a competitive price point. You can find it for check current price on Amazon , where it often hovers around $699.99. That puts it well below the flagship Descent Mk3 while still offering air, nitrox, and gauge modes, plus a full suite of Garmin’s fitness tracking (heart rate, GPS, sleep monitoring, etc.).
The watch-style form factor is a big selling point. Unlike brick-sized dive computers, the G2 looks like a normal everyday watch. You can wear it to the office, on a run, and then down to 100 meters without skipping a beat.
What About the Previous Version (25.14)?
For context, version 25.14 was released in late March (or early April, depending on your region) and focused entirely on stability. It fixed issues like:
- Occasional freezes when scrolling through dive menus
- Inconsistent tank pressure readings with certain Garmin transmitters
- Bluetooth sync drops after long dives
Version 25.21 builds on that foundation, so if you skipped 25.14, you’re getting all those fixes plus the new sharing feature in one go.
First Impressions from the Diving Community
Early adopters on the Garmin forums and Reddit’s r/scuba have been mostly positive. One user noted: “Setup Sharing just saved me 10 minutes of teaching new divers how to input their gases. I can set up my G2, then beam it to their watch. Genius.”
A few divers have asked whether the feature works across different Garmin models (e.g., G2 to Mk2). So far, Garmin has only confirmed compatibility between two Descent G2 units. If you try it with an older model, don’t be surprised if nothing happens.
As for the GF99 change, most users haven’t noticed a dramatic difference—which is actually a good sign. When a safety metric’s behavior improves without anyone screaming about bugs, it usually means the fix was subtle but effective.
A Few Tips for Using Dive Setup Sharing
If you’re planning to use the new feature on your next dive trip, keep these points in mind:
- Both watches must be on version 25.21 – The sender and receiver need the same software.
- Keep them close – 3 meters maximum. Walls or water between the devices can interfere.
- Check your conservatism setting – That’s part of what gets copied. If you prefer a more aggressive or more conservative profile than your buddy, you might want to share manually.
- It doesn’t copy everything – Personal info like your user profile, activity history, and watch face settings stay put. Only dive-specific setup data transfers.
What’s Next for the Descent G2?
Garmin typically follows a stable release like this with a minor hotfix if any edge cases pop up. Given that 25.21 has been in testing for a few weeks before going wide, it’s likely to be solid. That said, if you’re heading on a liveaboard trip tomorrow and you’re nervous about new software, there’s no harm in waiting a week to see if any issues surface.
For everyone else: go ahead and update. The Dive Setup Sharing alone is worth the click, and the GF99 polish adds a layer of confidence for those who rely on gradient factors for deco planning.
Final Take: A Smart, Practical Update
Garmin didn’t reinvent the wheel with version 25.21, and that’s fine. Not every update needs a dozen new features. Sometimes the best updates are the ones that solve a small but real annoyance—like manually syncing dive settings between two computers.
Whether you’re a dive pro managing multiple students or a recreational diver who dives with a regular buddy, the ability to share your gas list and conservatism in seconds is a legitimate quality-of-life improvement. And the GF99 tweak, while vague, shows Garmin is still paying attention to the technical diving crowd.
So grab your Descent G2, fire up Garmin Connect or the Dive app, and pull down version 25.21. Your next dive briefing just got a little shorter.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The Amazon link above is an affiliate link. The Garmin forum link is provided for reference and community discussion.
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| The release notes for software v25.21 for the Garmin Descent G2 dive computer |