The latest firmware version 11.16 was released for Garmin Vivoactive 5 smartwatches on 25 September 2024.
The update is being pushed out in a phased manner and has already been deployed on 50 percent Vivoactive 5 smartwatches. It is likely to be pushed out to the eligible devices within one.
Keep an eye for any battery drain issues after the firmware update. If you run into any degraded battery performance after the firmware update, please do a soft reset (reboot) the smartwatch.
Changelog of Firmware 11.16 for Vivoactive 5
This firmware release 11.16 addresses the following 2 issues:
- Fixed incident detection remaining active after activity.
- Fixed rare potential crash at activity start.
How to update the firmware on Vivoactive 5?
Garmin Vivoactive 5 firmware can be updated automatically. For this, you can either wait for the firmware files to be sent to the device from the Garmin servers.
Or, you can use the Garmin Express application or the Garmin Connect application to process the firmware update.
You do not have any manual upgrade option for the Garmin Vivoactive 5.
Here is how you can update software or firmware on Garmin Vivoactive 5.
How to update to Firmware version 11.16?
We recommend using the automated approach to updating firmware on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 device.
For automated firmware updates, you require either of the following applications:
- Garmin Connect app, or
- Garmin Express application for the computer
Both methods are discussed below.
Update firmware 20.29 using Garmin Express
Garmin Express is Garmin’s application for the PC platform. You need to install it on your Windows PC or Mac computer. Post-installation of the Garmin Express application, the application pulls the updates from the Garmin website. It will push the update out to the smartphone configured in the Garmin Express application.
- Garmin Express is a proprietary application that can be installed on any computer. It is available for Windows and macOS computers.
- Garmin Express for Windows or macOS computers can be downloaded from this page on the Garmin website.
- Once you have downloaded Garmin Express, you can install it on the computer by executing the file.
- Validate if Garmin Express is working cleanly. You will need to add your device (Vivoactive 5) to the Garmin Express application.
- Garmin Express helps in pulling firmware updates, map updates, Golf course updates and uploading your activities to the Garmin Connect app.
- Once you have linked your Vivoactive 5 to the Garmin Express application, open the Garmin Express application.
- Connect your Vivoactive 5 to the computer using a USB cable. The USB cable was shipped alongside the smartwatch when you first bought it.
- Allow Garmin Express to validate the current firmware version on Vivoactive 5. Allow it to pull the latest firmware version 11.16 from the Garmin website.
- Once the software has been downloaded on the Garmin Express application, it gets pushed out to the connected Garmin Vivoactive 5 device.
- This will initiate the firmware installation on your Vivoactive 5 smartwatch.
- Please allow some time for the firmware to be installed automatically on your Vivoactive 5 device.
- You can verify if the latest firmware has been installed on the Vivoactive 5 device by going to Settings —-> System and finding the firmware in the About Device section.
Install Firmware 11.16 using the Garmin Connect app
The Garmin Connect app is Garmin’s app. It provides an interface between Garmin servers and the paired smartwatch. All downloads automatically get downloaded onto your smartphone.
The Garmin Connect app is available for the Android and iOS mobile operating systems.
- Garmin Connect is an app that can be installed on the smartphone paired with the Vivoactive 5 device.
- Garmin Connect for Android phones can be downloaded from the Google Play Store page for Garmin Connect.
- Garmin Connect for iOS devices can be downloaded from the Apple app store page for Garmin Connect.
- Install the Garmin Connect app on the smartphone paired with Vivoactive 5. Once the app is installed, link or connect the Vivoactive 5 with the Garmin Connect account.
- Do ensure that the Bluetooth connection between the Garmin Connect app and smartwatch is good. Also, do ensure that you have adequate battery charge on the smartwatch and paired smartphone for the firmware update process to complete flawlessly.
- Garmin Connect validates the current firmware version on your device. If a software update is available through the Garmin servers, Garmin Connect will download the firmware files from the Garmin servers automatically.
- After the software has been downloaded on the phone through the Garmin Connect app, it gets pushed out to the device over a Bluetooth connection.
- Once the firmware has been installed on the smartwatch, you can verify the current version of software or firmware by going to the Settings —-> System and About Device section on the watch. It would tell you the version of firmware installed on the smartwatch.
Completing the firmware update
Once the firmware has been updated successfully on the Vivoactive 5, we strongly suggest rebooting the watch. Power it down and restart the watch. This takes care of any uncanny issues arising as part of the update process.
For reference, you may have a look at the official announcement page of Garmin for the Vivoactive 5 smartwatch.