Garmin has started pushing System Software 17.08 to several smartwatches, including the newer Instinct Crossover AMOLED and older mid-range models.
System Software 17.08 follows battery drain complaints
The update arrives shortly after a wave of user reports about battery issues tied to the previous 17.07 release. Owners of both recent and older Instinct smartwatches noted reduced battery life, which raised concerns across Garmin’s user base.
Garmin has now confirmed that System Software 17.08 is rolling out in stages. As of this week, it should have reached around 50% of eligible devices. If you haven’t received it yet, you can manually check for updates via Garmin Connect Mobile or Garmin Express.
System Software 17.08 supported models include Tactical and AMOLED editions
The System Software 17.08 update applies to the following models:
- Instinct Crossover AMOLED
- Instinct Crossover AMOLED Tactical Edition
- Select older Instinct and mid-range smartwatches
Although Garmin hasn’t published a full changelog, the update’s timing strongly suggests it’s aimed at resolving the battery drain issue tied to 17.07.
Garmin keeps update details vague
Despite widespread feedback, Garmin remains quiet on the specifics of what System Software 17.08 actually fixes. The company has only described it as containing “miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements,” offering no further explanation.
Still, many users are hoping it will reverse the power management problems introduced in the previous update.
Manual update recommended for some users
If you rely on your Garmin watch daily, it might be worth manually installing the update to regain expected battery performance. Garmin users can trigger the download through:
- Garmin Connect Mobile app
- Garmin Express desktop app
This may be especially useful if your watch hasn’t yet received the OTA update automatically.
Garmin’s update strategy still feels uneven
While Garmin continues to support its older models, the pace and transparency of updates like System Software 17.08 leave room for improvement. Users are calling for clearer communication—especially when updates affect essential features like battery life.
For now, the update is rolling out. Whether it fixes the underlying problems remains to be seen.
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