If you’ve been struggling to connect your Garmin smartwatch to the Garmin Connect app, you’re not alone.
The latest software update to Garmin Connect has disconnected many users’ smartwatches from the app and left them unable to sync their activities and data.
Users began reporting the issue last week following the release of the 5.21 updates. The problems seem to affect iOS users only, while Android users can use Connect as normal.
Garmin said it is aware of the issue with Garmin Connect for some iOS users, and that the issue was resolved with the later 5.21.1 update. But the GPS giant provided three steps to follow if your device is still disconnected from its health and fitness app.
How to reconnect your Garmin device with your phone
Garmin advised that you should first remove your device from your iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth settings. In your Bluetooth settings, you must locate your Garmin device and then select 'Forget This Device', before toggling Bluetooth on and off and then powering off your iOS device and Garmin.
You should then put your Garmin device into pairing mode via its settings before adding the device to the Garmin Connect App.
Garmin said that if you are still unable to pair your devices you should:
- Uninstall all Garmin apps on your phone, such as Garmin Connect, Garmin Messenger and Garmin Connect IQ
- Restart the Phone
- Restart the Garmin device
- Confirm your iPhone software is up to date
- Reinstall only the Garmin Connect App
- Attempt the pairing process again
Problems are persisting for some users
Despite Garmin’s advice on how to re-pair your watch and iOS device, some users said in the Garmin forum that they were unable to establish a connection again.
Garmin followed up with a further update on 2 February to address the issue for those who were unable to re-pair their devices.
Users continued to express their frustration on the Garmin forum. One said their device has repeatedly disconnected since the issue started. “At this stage I’m considering switching to a different brand,” they wrote.
Another user described the issue as “Extremely frustrating when other users have been able to fix following the suggested steps”.
Have you had an issue trying to re-pair your Garmin device? Is the issue persisting? Let us know in the comments.
