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Installing the Latest Software On the Descent G1 Series

Keeping your software up to date will ensure that you get the best performance and latest features. Methods for updating software are described below. 

For information on updating compatible mapping, see Related at the bottom of the page.

Installing Software Updates

Garmin Connect™ App

The Garmin Connect app will download software updates automatically behind the scenes while your device is connected to your mobile phone. There are no steps required for you to take to get the latest software. Generally, any released updates will take up to a week to download before automatically, or prompting, to install on your device. 

Search for, and download, the Garmin Connect app in your phone's application store to get started. For more information on the Garmin Connect app, see - Garmin Connect app on Garmin.com.

Garmin Express™ Software

Garmin Express software provides the ability to check for, and download, software updates each time you connect your device to the computer.

For information on downloading Garmin Express software and using it to update your device, see - Using Garmin Express to Update Your Watch's Software.


We are frequently adding new features with the latest software updates. For a complete list of changes see the Change Log section below. 

Change Log


Software Version 15.08 Released April 2024

In-Dive Changes

  • [In-dive Change] Increased the precision of Depth fields to the closest 10th of a meter in Apnea activities when depth is deeper than 100m
  • [In-dive Change] In Apnea activities, the Target Depth menu option is now the 2nd item in the action menu
  • [In-dive Change] Reduced the precision of Min/Max Temperature config fields to whole numbers in Celsius to align with the data provided by the sensors
  • [In-dive Change] In the compass menu, "Reset Heading" has been renamed to "Change Heading"

Improvements and Bug Fixes

  • Changed default North reference setting to Magnetic
  • Changed default water density setting to Salt
  • Merged in the latest Instinct 2 software including:
    • Ensure training load is properly calculated when using the Store & Forward feature on supported Garmin HRM straps
    • Various bug fixes and improvements for Ski and Snowboard activities
    • Fixed potential issue where distance could stop updating in pool swim activities
    • Removed the limitation on the number of points allowed in a course
    • Fixed crash when replying to smart notifications

Previous Software Version Change Logs

11.20
  • [In-dive Change] Fixed issue with the 4th configured depth alert would not use the appropriate vibe/tone/display settings
11.19
  • [In-dive Change] Fix last deco stop depth display when the “Last Deco Stop” setting is set to 4.5 meters

  • [In-dive Change] Apnea dives will now automatically end within 1 second of the diver surfacing instead of 5 seconds of the diver surfacing

  • Fixed issues with Dive Alert preview functionality Fixed issues with Apnea Surface Interval Alert’s sound and vibe settings

  • Fixed MOD calculations on dive pre-check page not immediately reflecting water density changes

  • Fixed issue related to adding Dive Data screens from Dive App

  • Brought Descent G1 up to date with Instinct 2 version 11.18:

    • Added the Grade Adjusted Pace data field that displays your average pace adjusted by the steepness of the terrain

    • Added running power data to activities without the need for a running dynamics accessory

    • Added the backcountry snowboard activity to the list of available activities

    • Added support for Sleep Mode

    • Added support for Unified Training Status. When you specify your primary training device, your training status and training load sync across multiple devices and default to showing data from the primary training device

    • Added Simplified Device Pairing Experience

    • Added support for configuring activity alerts in GCM

    • Added option to delete Strength workouts

    • Added temperature recording activity setting

    • Added Surf, Windsurf, and Kiteboard activities Added app-specific notification icons for the Garmin Jr. and Garmin Messenger apps

    • Added an option to delete a copied activity from the device

    • Added additional course point icons for new Garmin Connect course point types

    • Added the setting for backlight behavior when a key is pressed during sleep

    • Added ability to customize Do Not Disturb mode settings

    • Added prompt to select activity profile when launching a workout from the Calendar glance

    • Improved the backcountry ski and snowboard activities to automatically detect climbs, descents, and transition time

    • Improved daily workout suggestions to help you train for events on your Garmin Connect calendar

    • Improved the power data screens by showing heart rate in the dial

    • Improved the delay when saving an activity

    • Fixed issue where daily active calories total could be incorrect

    • Fixed issue where Indoor Bike activity could start on wrong data screen

    • Fixed distance discrepancies in Reference Point app

    • Fixed GCT Balance data field font size

    • Fixed issue where a random value could be displayed on the Edit Reps page

    • Fixed sleep data uploads through Garmin Express

    • Fixed possible crash on Edit Set page

    • Fixed issues with compass calibration

    • Fixed Surf waves activity summary page

    • Fixed an issue where pausing and resuming a hunt activity could freeze the device

    • Fixed an issue where starting a sync from the watch could cause it to get stuck on the “Transferring” message

    • Fixed an issue where the HRV bar indicator could draw inconsistently on different pages

    • Fixed possible crash during Pulse Ox reading

    • Fixed track run alert number picker

    • Fixed issue where autodetected FTP value could be incorrect

    • Fixed issue where Personal Record alert could be displayed incorrectly

    • Fixed auto step goal not updating

9.27
  • [In-dive Change] Improved PO2 alerts to prevent repetitive nuisance alerts.

  • [In-dive Change] Added the Neutral Buoyancy alert that fires when reaching a customizable depth. This is defaulted on at 30 feet / 10 meters.

  • Added advanced Apnea alerts

  • Added the Target Depth alert that fires when reaching a goal depth.

  • Added a Variometer alert that provides audible and/or vibration feedback about your ascent/descent speed.

  • Added the High and Low Speed alerts that fire when you’re ascending or descending outside of a set speed range.

  • The Surface Alert has been converted to use this new system, and is now located under Dive Setup > Apnea Alerts.

  • The apnea and scuba alerts have been split into separate menus under Dive Setup.

  • Added Big Numbers mode for the Single- and Multi-gas dive modes:

  • Big numbers mode offers a simplified dive screen experience with larger fonts.

  • Enable this feature by toggling on Single-Gas Settings > Big Numbers or Multi-Gas Settings > Big Numbers

  • All dive alerts can now be set to trigger once or on an interval, and can be configured to fire only while ascending, descending, or both.

  • Added the ability to preview what a dive alert will look and sound like.

  • Added the Reference Point app and power control. Reference Point provides simple bearing and distance information to saved locations and your previous dive’s entry and exit locations (if available).

  • Added the Ascent Rate gauge as an option on the customizable in-dive screens.

  • Added the Ascent Rate field as an option to the gas/gauge dives that shows the current ascent or descent rate in ft./min. or m./min.

  • Improved display of surface interval times to max out everywhere at 999 days.

  • Updated "Deco PO2" to "MOD/Deco PO2" to help clarify what that setting affects.

  • Surface pressure will now be reset automatically if the watch is still in a dive when it’s connected to a computer. (Holding Up during power-on still works too.)

  • Improved the lag that could happen when first leaving the watch face after a while.

  • Pulled in changes from Instinct 2 from version 8.64 through version 9.27. This includes Pickleball and Padel profiles, Training Status 2.0, Strength app improvements, heart rate variability (HRV) status, and many bug fixes and stability improvements.

8.65
  • Fixed the “Edit Deco PO2” and “Edit Conservatism” options in the in-dive menu being inaccessible before a dive started.

8.64

  • [In-Dive Change] Fix CNS calculations at PO2 levels above 1.65.

  • Added additional options for Apnea and Apnea Hunt data fields including total session time, total surface distance, starting and ending HR, max ascent/descent rate, and more.

  • Added a Gas Calculator tool to the Dive Planning app.

  • Added battery percentage as a watch face data field option.

  • Added a warning to the Plan Dive app when calculating NDL and the planned depth exceeds the MOD for the planned breathing gas.

  • Fixed a potential issue where data screens could not be re-added.

  • Fixed the inReach disconnected popup occurring during dives.

  • Pulled in changes from Instinct 2 through version 8.64. This includes several new apps, glance improvements, wellness features, bug fixes, and more.


Related