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Garmin devices

The following list includes all implemented features for Garmin devices. The actual supported features can vary for each device.

Experimental

Support for some of these devices is recent, and still experimental. This page is also still a work in progress and not complete.

List of Garmin watches supported by Gadgetbridge:

List of watches

Other Garmin devices supported by Gadgetbridge:

List of gadgets

Implemented features

These features are supported by Gadgetbridge and apply to all Garmin models included in this page. Note that actual available features per device depends on the device capabilities.

List of features supported by Gadgetbridge
  • Set time
  • Device info (firmware, model)
  • Device state (battery, sleep, wearing)
  • Calendar sync
  • Notifications
    • Notification pictures
    • App icons
  • Calls
  • Canned messages for calls and notifications
  • Contacts
  • Music
    • Music Info
    • Volume
    • Music buttons
  • Send GPS during workouts
  • AGPS upload
  • Activity sync
  • Realtime Settings
  • Weather
  • File upload
    • Courses
    • Workouts
    • PRG apps
    • Location
    • Segments
  • AGPS updates (see below)
  • Waypoint upload

Activity Sync

The following fit file types are fetched from the device and saved in the phone's internal storage:

  • Activity (workouts)
  • Monitor (daily activity)
    • Steps
    • Distance
    • Calories
    • Heart rate
    • SpO2
    • Stress
    • Body energy
    • Intensity minutes
    • Respiratory rate
    • Metabolic rate
    • Resting heart rate
  • Metrics (not parsed)
  • Changelog (not parsed)
  • HRV values and summary
  • Skin temperature (not parsed)
  • Sleep
    • times and sleep stages, including naps
    • score
    • only on devices that provide them - see known issues below

Pairing

Some devices like the Forerunner 165 need to be put in "pairing mode" for Gadgetbridge to be able to find them.

  • In the device, find a "Pair phone" option
  • Your device might now show a QR code - you can ignore it and simply pair on Gadgetbridge

Some devices might have issues pairing if not connected at least once to the official app - see issue #3963. So far, this has been reported to happen in the following devices:

  • Instinct 2S
  • Fenix 5 Plus
  • Fenix 5X Plus
  • Forerunner 245 Music

On these devices, you might see that pairing fails. However, if you go back and fill out the user information on the watch, it should allow you to continue, and Gadgetbridge will then work.

Known issues

Open issues

Do not forget to check any other open issues in the project repository.

  • Activity sync sometimes gets stuck (eg. Fenix 7S)
  • Sleep stages are only supported on devices that are able to display them without a phone connection - issue #4048
    • Sleep tracking only works on watches that support sleep "glances" or "widgets". On other (usually older) devices, Gadgetbridge might display sleep almost all day, since the watches are not able to compute sleep without a connection to the official app.
  • Some newer devices do not sync all activity data
    • Please enable "New sync protocol" and "Multi-link Reliable" in the "developer settings" for your device. If you face this issue, please provide feedback as an issue or reach out on Matrix, so that we know the new protocol works.
    • More information in issue #5021
  • Some workouts do not get synced
    • If some workouts do not show up in Gadgetbridge, try to enable "new sync protocol" in device settings → developer settings
    • If they are still missing, connect the watch to a computer and check whether they are under Activity/PendingHD. This is a known issue even in the official app. Please disable System → Advanced → Data Recording → Position Enhancement.

Missing features

  • User information
  • Settings on older devices
  • Alarms (supported on some devices)
  • Hydration reminder
  • App management

There are more missing features that are not listed here.

Weather

Weather updates require authentication - see the Authentication section.

AGPS updates

Devices fetch AGPS updates periodically, by sending HTTP requests directly. Gadgetbridge intercepts these requests and sends a file from the local phone storage. These can be configured from the "Location" page in the device preferences.

AGPS updates require authentication on some devices - see the Authentication section.

Authentication

Some functionalities such as weather and AGPS updates require the device to be authenticated with valid credentials. These must be refreshed every 90 days for these functions to continue working.

Gadgetbridge supports sending fake credentials, so that the device stays in an authenticated state - you can enable this in the "Authentication" settings page, by selecting "Send fake OAuth responses".

Official app

Do not enable if you plan on using the official app or connect the device to the internet. After enabling this setting, your device credentials will be invalid, and you may need to factory reset the device to authenticate again.

Import Historical Data from Garmin Connect

See Import from Garmin Connect.