Help me understand software versions for Instinct 2

The latest production version is always listed as a sticky at the top of this forum.  Current release is 11.18, so you are running very old SW.  There are two ways to update production software.  One is through Garmin Express via a USB cable.  I seems that won't work for you (LINUX).  The other is over the air via Garmin Connect Mobile (GCM); IOS or Android.  I assume you have setup GCM when you initially setup your Instinct.  The update should or already have sync'd to your watch.  You can check on your watch in the Main Menu=>System=>Software Update.  If there is an entry that says "Install 11.18", select it.

Unfortunately there's no progress. I do use Garmin Connect on Android

Menu=>System=>Software Update doesn't show any new updates. Automatic updates are enabled.

Software version is 8.64. Garmin connect web claims it's the latest version.

I tried turning off and on both the watch and the phone.

Like I said, sometimes something gets updated. I saw messages about Bluetooth being updated and something else on another occasion. But the software version stays at 8.64.

Device Sync Audit shows latest sync as success. Sometimes GCM has troubles synchronising with the watch, the spinner keeps spinning. I close the app and the next sync usually succeeds.

Isn't there a way to force GCM to re-check for latest version or something like that?

I read that sometimes there may be not enough space on the watch. I deleted all activities from the watch but it didn't help.

Try connecting your watch to Garmin express application in your computer and check if update available. Hope this will solve your issue.

Garmin express doesn't work on Linux

Try uninstall and reinstall GCM app.

The Alpha and Beta announcements can be found here: Garmin Forums

The betas are normally pretty stable (generally like a release candidate would be), and the alphas are what most companies would describe as a public beta, so you can expect a few glitches but not as raw as what an alpha normally would be. Betas are installed using the same mechanisms as the normal release versions, so that's not going to help you. However, alphas are manually installed so you should be able to do that even in Linux - if you want to chance it.

Unfortunately, it looks like when an alpha release is superseded, Garmin remove the link to the installation package from the post in the forum, so you'd need to wait until the next alpha is released, or hope someone on here can provide you with an old one with the installation instructions. 

My Instinct 2, unlike the old Instinct, always keeps a copy of the firmware in the folder //GARMIN/REMOTESW/, and it is being copied there again even if I delete the file (GUPDATE.GCD) to make some more room on the storage. So if you have a friend with Instinct 2, just ask him to send you the file, and place it directly into the folder //GARMIN (not into //GARMIN/REMOTESW/).

I can send you 11.18 update file as Trux suggested, just say where to

Thank you all for your suggestions. Unfortunately I think I'm worse off then before asking my question :S

I tried reinstalling Garmin Connect App on my phone. Didn't help.

I removed the watch from the app and added it again. This didn't help either.

Only now I can't even change watch settings from the app. I used to be able to change data screens, glances and activities from the app after tapping on the watch. Now it won't even show software version. All I see is a screenshot of a watch and a label "Instinct 2, Connected".

At least the watch is still connected and activities get uploaded to the app.

9820003 thanks for the suggestion but I'll pass for now. I think I'll wait for new alpha to show up, per NeilJonesOnline suggestion, and see what's in that package and decide what to do then.

huh, I tried starting an activity and the going to watch settings on the app and this time it worked.