20% of eligible Garmin Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 users are getting software version 17.33 right now, but the stable update already shows where Garmin is tightening its running-watch software: faster mute controls, broader sensor support and extra navigation tools for its higher-end model.
The update is rolling out to the two running-focused smartwatches around two months after version 16.37, which brought course planner improvements, according to Notebookcheck. This is a stable release, not a beta build, so Garmin is pushing it toward general users rather than limiting it to testers.
Version 17.33 puts silent mode one swipe closer on 2 Forerunner models
The headline change is a new silent mode for the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970. Users can activate it through the control menu, and Garmin also allows it to be triggered through a button shortcut.
That matters because Garmin watches can sit between workouts, work calls, commutes and sleep tracking in the same day. A faster silent-mode path cuts the friction of muting alerts without sending users through deeper settings.
The update also makes the keyboard layout menu easier to reach. Garmin now lets users access it by swiping up from the bottom of a page.
The release is not just a notification tweak. Both watches gain support for Garmin Approach CT1 golf club sensors, which Notebookcheck lists at $99.99 on Amazon at the time of its report.
MLXIO analysis: This is a practical update rather than a major interface reset. Garmin is not changing what the Forerunner 570 and 970 are; it is reducing small daily annoyances and widening accessory compatibility.
Forerunner 970 gets 2 extras the 570 does not
Garmin is reserving two version 17.33 additions for the Forerunner 970. The first is expanded descriptions for Outdoor Maps+ layers, accessible through QR codes.
The second is the option to navigate to the Last Man Overboard (MOB) location. MOB is a marine navigation safety marker used to return to the last recorded man-overboard point.
That gives the Forerunner 970 a sharper distinction in this release. The 570 receives the shared silent mode, keyboard access changes, Approach CT1 support, timer improvements and bug fixes, but the 970 gets the extra mapping and MOB navigation tools.
| Garmin model | Shared version 17.33 additions | Model-specific additions |
|---|---|---|
| Forerunner 570 | Silent mode, button shortcut support, easier keyboard layout access, Approach CT1 support, timer improvements, bug fixes | None listed in the supplied release details |
| Forerunner 970 | Silent mode, button shortcut support, easier keyboard layout access, Approach CT1 support, timer improvements, bug fixes | Outdoor Maps+ layer descriptions via QR codes; navigation to Last Man Overboard location |
Garmin also says both watches receive improvements linked to the watch timer and a wide range of bug fixes. The supplied release details do not list every fix in text, so users should treat this as a broad maintenance release with several visible feature changes.
For adjacent Garmin update context, MLXIO readers can compare this Forerunner rollout with Garmin Update Drops 30 Changes on Venu 4, Vivoactive 6 and the separate premium-watch software cycle covered in $1,049 Garmin Update Drops 30 Fixes Owners Need Now.
Sensor support pushes the update beyond runners, but only in a narrow way
The new Approach CT1 support is the clearest sign that version 17.33 is not aimed only at runners. These are golf club sensors, so the update gives Forerunner 570 and 970 owners another Garmin accessory path if they also track golf.
That does not mean Garmin has confirmed a broad sensor expansion for every accessory category in this update. The verified new support in the supplied material is specifically for Garmin Approach CT1 golf club sensors.
For runners, the bigger day-to-day change may still be silent mode. During training blocks, gym sessions or meetings, a one-step mute option is more likely to be used repeatedly than a specialized mapping feature.
The timer improvements also fit that pattern. Garmin has not detailed every timer-related change in the supplied text, but the category points to core watch behavior rather than a flashy new app.
MLXIO analysis: Version 17.33 shows Garmin doing what mature wearable platforms often need most: fewer taps, cleaner menus and fixes around basic functions. That is less marketable than a new sensor or display, but it can matter more once a device is already on a user’s wrist.
Rollout timing is staged, so many owners may not see it yet
Garmin forum posts cited by Notebookcheck say software version 17.33 is currently available for around 20% of Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 users. That means most eligible owners may not receive it immediately.
Users who want to check manually can go to:
- Menu
- System
- Software Update
- Check For Updates
Related supplied context also says Garmin updates may arrive through Garmin Connect Mobile and Garmin Express, depending on setup. The on-watch path is the specific manual route listed for this Forerunner release.
Early feedback will matter because this update touches notification behavior, shortcuts, sensor support, mapping features and timer behavior. Owners installing version 17.33 should watch for battery changes, Approach CT1 pairing behavior, silent-mode shortcut reliability and any timer issues after the update.
The clearest near-term signal will be whether Garmin expands availability beyond the current 20% rollout without pulling or revising the build. For now, confirmed support in the Notebookcheck Forerunner report is limited to the Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970, with the 970 getting the more feature-rich version of the release.
Key Takeaways
- Silent mode is now easier to activate, reducing friction for users who wear Garmin watches throughout the day.
- Support for Approach CT1 golf club sensors broadens accessory compatibility for both updated models.
- Garmin is giving the higher-end Forerunner 970 extra navigation-related features, widening the software gap with the 570.
