On this page, you can find information about the latest Garmin Vivoactive firmware updates for various Vivoactive models and variants.
The information we cover pertains to the following Garmin Vivoactive variants
- Vivoactive 6
- Vivoactive 5
- Vivoactive 4
The instructions to update firmware are also includes on the page. Almost all Vivoactive watches will use the same process to update firmware on the running watch.
Firmware versions for Vivoactive smartwatches – February 2026
As of 3 February 2026, the firmware information for various Vivoactive watches is given below for ready reference.
| Vivoactive series | Latest firmware update | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| Vivoactive 6 | 15.52 | 15 January 2026 |
| Vivoactive 5 | 17.05 | 22 January 2026 |
| Vivoactive 4 | 8.50 | 2024 |
Here are some important points pertaining to Garmin Vivoactive firmware updates released by Garmin:
Vivoactive 6 and Vivoactive 5 smartwatches received latest firmware updates in January 2026. The latest firmware for Vivoactive 6 is 15.52 (previous firmware 15.33). And, the latest firmware for Vivoactive 5 is 17.05 (previous firmware 17.01).
Vivoactive 4 series smartwatches received last firmware update in 2024. Vivoactive 4 has assumed the status of a legacy smartwatch.
The firmware update process for Garmin Vivoactive watches remains consistent and unchanged between different models of the watch. You may follow the instructions below to update firmware on the Garmin Vivoactive watches.
In most cases, however, firmware updates happen automatically and in the background. No user action, usually, is required for firmware updates on Garmin Vivoactive watches.
How do I update firmware on Vivoactive watches?
Update of firmware on Garmin Vivoactive watches can be installed using the Garmin Connect app or through the Garmin Express application.
Garmin Vivoactive – Install Firmware 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 Garmin Vivoactive 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 watch. Once the app is installed, link or connect the Garmin Vivoactive with the Garmin Connect account.
- Do ensure that the Bluetooth connection between the Garmin Connect app and Garmin Vivoactive is good. Also, do ensure that you have adequate battery charge on the Garmin Vivoactive and paired smartphone for the firmware update process to complete flawlessly.
- Garmin Connect validates the current firmware version on your Vivoactive 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 Garmin Vivoactive device over a Bluetooth connection.
- Once the firmware has been installed on the Garmin Vivoactive watch, 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 Vivoactive smartwatch.
Garmin Vivoactive – Firmware update using Garmin Express application
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 model) 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 to the Garmin Express application, open the Garmin Express application.
- Connect your Vivoactive watch 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 watch. Allow it to pull the latest firmware version from the Garmin website.
- Once the software has been downloaded on the Garmin Express application, it gets pushed out to the connected Garmin Vivoactive device.
- This will initiate the firmware installation on your Vivoactive smartwatch.
- Please allow some time for the firmware to be installed automatically on your Vivoactive device.
- You can verify if the latest firmware has been installed on the Vivoactive device by going to Settings —-> System and finding the firmware version in the About Device section.
Garmin Vivoactive – Update firmware manually
You can also pull the software update from the Garmin servers manually. It may be prudent, however, to wait for the firmware update to be applied automatically.
In the event, you want to pull the manual updates of the software or the firmware files, please use the Check for Updates option on your Vivoactive device. You can find the ‘Check for Updates’ option under the path flow share below on the Vivoactive watch
Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates
Issues after firmware update on Garmin Vivoactive
If your watch experiences issues after a firmware update, it is recommended to do a soft reset of the watch.
Just restart the watch for the watch to boot with the updated firmware files. If this too fails to resolve the issue, you may consider performing a hard reset of the watch.
Before attempting a hard reset, please do backup the user data and activity date of your Garmin Vivoactive watch.
Use the Garmin Connect app to make a copy of user data from the watch to the app for a synchronization at a later point in time.
After a hard reset, the user data can be restored from the backups to the watch internal storage.