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| The Forerunner 170 has now received its second v18.xx stable update. |
Garmin has begun distributing a new stable firmware update for its budget-friendly Forerunner series, bringing key bug fixes to the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170. The update, System Software 18.32, follows the company's recent efforts to streamline its software development cycle across its entire running watch lineup.
The Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170, which were announced earlier this year as more affordable alternatives to the premium Forerunner 570 and 970, have historically operated on a separate software track. However, Garmin began harmonizing the devices in September with the release of System Software 18.29. This latest rollout completes that transition, aligning the budget models with the software version released for the higher-end models last week.
What’s New in Software Version 18.32?
According to the official changelog posted on the Garmin Forerunner 70 forums and the Garmin Forerunner 170 forums, this update focuses heavily on stability and audio reliability. Users can expect the following improvements:
- Stability Fixes: Resolves an issue that could cause the device to unexpectedly reset when changing screens during an activity.
- Alarm & Notification Tweaks: Fixes a bug where alarm vibration could be unintentionally disabled. Additionally, smart notifications will no longer sound a tone when the device is in silent or "Do Not Disturb" mode.
- Audio Playback: Addresses a potential issue with Spotify music playback that occurred after skipping songs via paired Bluetooth headphones.
- General Maintenance: Includes minor bug fixes to improve overall system performance.
Phased Rollout and Manual Update Instructions
As is standard practice for Garmin, the update is being deployed in a phased rollout. Current reports indicate that approximately 50% of Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 users have access to the update, though Notebookcheck notes that Garmin initially stated around 20% availability at the time of their publication.
For users who prefer not to wait for the automatic prompt, the update can be triggered manually. To download Software Version 18.32 immediately:
- Press the Menu button on your watch.
- Navigate to Watch Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Software Update.
- Tap Check For Updates.
A Competitive Option for Runners
The Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 continue to be popular choices for athletes seeking essential running metrics without the high price tag of flagship models. While the Forerunner 570 and 970 retail for $549 and $749 respectively, the Forerunner 170 offers a compelling value proposition, often available for around $279 on Amazon.
With this latest update, Garmin ensures that even its more affordable smartwatches receive the same level of software polish and feature parity as their premium counterparts.