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| The Forerunner 570 is now eligible for its first v19.xx update. |
Garmin has rolled out a substantial new beta software update for its popular Forerunner 570 smartwatch, bringing a whopping two dozen changes to the device. The company has moved its software development for the Forerunner 570 to the v19.xx build cycle, kicking things off with Public Beta Version 19.15.
According to Garmin's official beta program announcement, this is being offered as a "pre-rollout" update, which means users need to manually check for and download it on their watch. To grab the update, simply navigate to Main menu > Settings > System > Software Update > Check For Updates on the Forerunner 570 itself.
For those looking to pick up the Forerunner 570, it's currently available on Amazon for around $549.99.
What's New in Beta Version 19.15?
The changelog is impressively lengthy, featuring four brand-new features, four improvements to existing functionality, and sixteen bug fixes. Garmin has clearly been busy addressing user feedback and polishing the overall experience.
New Features
One of the standout additions is improved guidance for pairing Garmin's HRM 200 and HRM 600 heart rate monitors, with step-by-step instructions now appearing on the watch. The Change Sport menu has also been tweaked to display favourite activities first, with a "More" option for accessing the rest of your workout list.
Auto Lap prompts now announce lap numbers during workouts, making it easier to track your progress without glancing at your wrist. Additionally, the Pulse Ox app has been adjusted so that vibrations are only blocked while actively taking a reading, rather than throughout the entire process.
Key Bug Fixes
Perhaps most importantly, Garmin has resolved a frustrating bug that occasionally caused the Forerunner 570 to reboot while users were answering a phone call directly on the watch. Another significant fix addresses excessive battery drain that could occur when using Alipay.
Bluetooth connectivity issues have also received attention. The update fixes inconsistent Bluetooth headset volume control and synchronisation, as well as an issue that could cause the device to restart when starting a GPS activity with Bluetooth headphones connected.
Other notable fixes include:
- An issue preventing removal of the Radar Camera Controls data screen
- Blank Breathwork Live Activity instructions
- Alert volume unmuting itself after silent mode was enabled
- Missing Find My Device alerts on repeated searches
- Notifications appearing during high-intensity workout intervals (now delayed)
- Spoken Watch Face not working after swimming
- The virtual partner screen not displaying automatically when racing yourself from a downloaded activity
Improvements and Updates
Swim tracking gets some love in this update, with improved accuracy for swim length and stroke type detection. Weather data will now continue displaying even during outages, and activity discard behaviour has been updated for activities longer than 30 seconds.
Move alerts have also been enhanced, adding manual snooze options and automatic suppression conditions to reduce unnecessary interruptions.
Full Changelog
For those who want to see every single change, here's the complete list:
New Features:
- Adds instructions for entering pairing mode for HRM 200/600
- Adjusts Change Sport to show favourite activities first with a More option
- Changes Auto Lap prompts to announce lap numbers during workouts
- Changes Pulse Ox App to only block vibrations while taking a reading
Bug Fixes:
- Fixes activity pause menu navigation so Resume can be reached by list wrapping
- Fixes alert volume unmuting itself after silent mode is turned on
- Fixes an issue preventing removal of the Radar Camera Controls data screen
- Fixes an issue that could cause Breathwork Live Activity instructions to appear blank
- Fixes an issue that could cause the device to restart when starting a GPS activity with Bluetooth headphones connected
- Fixes an issue that prevented spectator message actions from opening
- Fixes battery drain issue that could happen while using Alipay
- Fixes inconsistent Bluetooth headset volume control and volume synchronisation
- Fixes list becoming stuck when entering Pinyin
- Fixes missing Find My Device alerts on repeated searches
- Fixes notifications appearing during high-intensity workout intervals by delaying delivery
- Fixes occasional device reset upon shutdown
- Fixes Spoken Watch Face not working after swimming
- Fixes the virtual partner screen not displaying automatically when racing yourself from a downloaded activity
- Fixes the watch not immediately moving a stock up/down in its list when rearranging stocks
- Fixes watch rebooting while answering a phone call on the watch
Improvements:
- Improves accuracy of swim length and swim stroke type detection
- Keeps showing weather data when hitting outages
- Updates activity discard behaviour for activities longer than 30 seconds
- Updates move alerts by adding manual snooze options and automatic suppression conditions
Should You Install the Beta?
As with any beta software, there are inherent risks. Garmin beta updates can sometimes introduce new bugs or cause instability, so it's worth considering whether you rely on your Forerunner 570 for critical activities. That said, this update addresses several significant issues that many users have reported, making it a tempting proposition for those experiencing problems with phone calls, battery drain, or Bluetooth connectivity.
The manual installation process is straightforward, but remember that beta software doesn't always receive the same level of testing as stable releases. If you do decide to take the plunge, be sure to report any issues you encounter through Garmin's beta program forums to help the company iron out the kinks before the final release.
This update represents a significant step forward for the Forerunner 570 as Garmin transitions to the v19.xx software branch. With 24 changes packed into this release, it's clear the company is committed to refining the experience for its popular running watch.
For more details and to participate in the beta program, visit Garmin's official beta announcement.