A new stable update has landed for the Garmin Fenix 8 and other associated smartwatches. Distinct from the new software offered to the Fenix 8 Pro, System Software 17.30 addresses bugs that were spotted after Garmin’s recent major software release for the same smartwatches.
Garmin has just provided the Fenix 8 Pro with its first software update. Alongside that, the company has now delivered fresh stable firmware for the Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 Quatix 8 and Tactix 8 (curr. $1,299 on Amazon).
For context, Garmin issued System Software 17.28 last month with 114 changes over System Software 15.33 that preceded it. While System Software 17.28 contained 65 bug fixes, it seemed that Garmin found more after claiming to have finalised v17.xx development. As a result, the company returned to its Beta Program with two builds that it has now transitioned to its stable software development branch.
In a forum post, Garmin clarifies that System Software 17.30 should fix four outstanding bugs while also updating translations in unspecified areas. Moreover, the new update upgrades Sensor Hub firmware from v34.10 to v35.08. Unfortunately, the company has not clarified what changes this Sensor Hub upgrade brings to the Enduro 3, Fenix E, Fenix 8 Quatix 8 or Tactix 8.
Currently, Garmin claims to have offered System Software 17.30 to 50% of eligible smartwatches. If that is not the case, then you manually install the update by navigating through Settings, System, Software Update, and then tapping ‘Check for Update’. The full changelog between System Software 17.28 and System Software 17.30 is as follows:
- Fixed inReach remote issues after connection is lost and regained.
- Fixed issue with varying altitude at higher altitudes.
- Fixed potential issue where smart notifications would not pop up after an update.
- Fixed potential shutdown when editing dive activity data fields.
- Updated Translations.
Alex Alderson – Senior Tech Writer – 13198 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2018
Prior to writing and translating for Notebookcheck, I worked for various companies including Apple and Neowin. I have a BA in International History and Politics from the University of Leeds, which I have since converted to a Law Degree. Happy to chat on Twitter or Notebookchat.
Alex Alderson, 2025-09-10 (Update: 2025-09-10)