Garmin Forerunner 570 and 970 receive Beta update v18.14 with 18 significant changes.
Garmin's latest update focuses on fixing music-related issues, improving touch lock functionality, and resolving freezing issues during workouts on the high-end Forerunner series.
Garmin has officially released the latest beta software update for its two popular smartwatches, the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970. Beta version v18.14 was released to address a number of bugs from previous versions, aiming to optimize performance and enhance the real-world user experience globally.
Details of the Beta v18.14 update roadmap.
After rolling out the Public Beta version v18.12 in early July with many new features such as voice control, Garmin is continuing the transition to v18.14. According to announcements from the company's support forums, this update has currently only reached about 20% of users registered in the Beta Program.
However, users who are not on the priority list can still proactively download it by accessing the link.Main menu > Settings > System > Software updateand chooseCheck for updatesThe phased deployment allows Garmin to better control the risks that may arise should a serious, widespread error occur.
Key technical improvements and bug fixes
The focus of Beta v18.14 is 18 major changes, the majority of which are system bug fixes. One of the most notable improvements is the reduction of accidental unlocking issues when the Touch Lock feature is in use. This is a frustrating problem for many athletes when the watch is inadvertently activated during strenuous activity or due to clothing.
The audio and music control systems have also received significant upgrades. Garmin has fixed the bug where the volume would automatically spike after an alarm rang, as well as the bug where music would play through the external speaker for a short period of time immediately after disconnecting Bluetooth headphones.
Here is a detailed list of changes in Public Beta v18.14.
Below is a summary of the major bugs that have been fixed in this update:
| Category | Describe the changes and bug fixes. |
|---|---|
| System & Interface | By default, button press sounds are muted when using headphones; Language translations have been updated; Accidental unlocking errors on Touch Lock have been reduced. |
| Music & Sound | Fixed a bug where music was playing over followers' messages; fixed a bug where music volume increased after the alarm; fixed a bug where the music page displayed the wrong playback status. |
| Sports activities | Fixed a restart issue when saving indoor rowing activity; Fixed a freezing issue during indoor rock climbing activity; Fixed a touch sensor activation issue during water sports. |
| Training & Schedule | Accurately synchronize workout dates between the watch and your Garmin Coach plan; Fixed a bug that caused rest day selection in daily workout suggestions. |
Deep user experience optimization
In addition to display issues, Garmin also focuses on device stability in complex usage scenarios. For example, the issue of the device restarting while saving indoor rowing activity data has been completely resolved, giving users peace of mind regarding the integrity of their training data.
For frequent Garmin Coach users, synchronization between the wearable device and the phone app is now smoother. Previously, some reports indicated that the training dates displayed on the watch did not match the planned schedule, causing confusion in professional training.
The continuous release of Beta updates demonstrates Garmin's efforts to maintain product lifecycles and listen to community feedback. Although these are only minor bug fixes, overall, v18.14 promises to bring a more stable ecosystem to the Forerunner 570 and 970 series before the official software version is widely released.
