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| Garmin Instinct 2 models have received a manual update |
Long-time Garmin users know the drill. While the company has been releasing beta software for its smartwatches for years, the delivery method has always felt stuck in the early 2010s. No over-the-air (OTA) convenience here. Instead, you’re expected to dig out a computer, connect your watch as a mass storage device, and manually drag a ZIP file into the right folder. It’s not rocket science, but it’s also not the seamless experience most of us have come to expect from modern wearables.
This week, Garmin is doing it again — but this time, the fix might actually be worth the extra steps.
The company has quietly rolled out beta software version 17.11 for a handful of its rugged Instinct models. The list includes the Garmin Instinct 2, Instinct 2 Solar, Instinct 2S, Instinct 2S Solar, Instinct 2X, and the quirky Instinct Crossover. Each watch gets its own dedicated file, so double-check you’re grabbing the right one before sideloading.
One Bug Fix, But a Critical One
Let’s talk about the changelog — because you can read it in about five seconds. There’s one single fix in this update: a bug that could prevent solar charging from working properly. That’s it. No new watch faces, no performance tweaks, no UI refinements.
But before you roll your eyes, consider what solar charging means for these devices. The Instinct 2 series, especially the Solar variants, lives or dies by its ability to sip power from the sun. Garmin has marketed these watches as having “virtually unlimited battery life” when used conservatively — think daily wear, occasional activity tracking, and enough sunlight exposure. The solar panel embedded in the display isn’t a gimmick; it genuinely extends time between charges, sometimes indefinitely if you’re outdoors often.
When that feature glitches, the whole value proposition starts to crack. Users who noticed their battery draining faster than expected — even on sunny days — have been waiting for this patch.
If you own one of these watches and rely on solar to get through multi-day hikes or long work weeks without hunting for a charger, this beta is worth the hassle of sideloading.
Speaking of Hassle — Here’s Where to Find the Watch
If you’ve been eyeing an Instinct 2 Solar but held off due to the solar charging concerns (or just wanted to see if Garmin would fix it), now might be the time to jump in. The fix is in beta, meaning it’ll likely roll into a stable release soon. And the watches themselves remain some of the most durable, feature-packed outdoor devices you can buy.
👉 You can check the current price and availability for the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar on Amazon right here. 👈
That link is a good reference point if you want to compare models or see what the solar edition looks like in real user photos.
How to Get the Update (The Old-Fashioned Way)
Since Garmin still isn’t pushing this beta OTA, here’s the quick version of what you’ll need to do:
- Download the correct ZIP file from Garmin’s beta forum — specifically this announcement page.
- Connect your Instinct 2 to a computer via USB.
- On the watch, select “Mass Storage Mode” when prompted.
- Copy the ZIP file (do not unzip it) into the Garmin folder on the watch’s drive.
- Safely eject the watch from your computer and disconnect.
- The update should start automatically within a few seconds.
The whole process takes about five minutes. Annoying? A little. But for a fix that restores one of the watch’s headline features, it’s a small price to pay.
Should You Bother?
If your solar charging has been acting up — or you simply want to stay current on beta builds — yes, install 17.11. If you haven’t noticed any issues and prefer stable software, you can wait for the public release. Garmin typically folds these beta fixes into a broader OTA update after a few weeks of testing.
But here’s the takeaway: Garmin is listening. The solar bug was reported by multiple users in the forums, and the company responded with a dedicated fix. That’s good news for anyone who bought an Instinct 2 for its endurance credentials.
Just don’t expect OTA beta updates anytime soon. Some traditions, it seems, are harder to break than others.
Sources: Garmin beta forums, official Garmin image via announcement post. Product links are affiliate-based where noted.