Default Sync only works with location services turned on

Google's version of Android named Marshmallow (6.0) introduced new restrictions on how app developers use the bluetooth low energy. Your Nexus 5 is running at least Android 6.0, so now, Android requires the app developer to ask your permission to use location services, because solely using the bluetooth scanning can reveal information about your location. It's basically saying "the app wants to scan for bluetooth devices, and doing so may let the app know about where you are, so we're going to force the app to ask the user for permission to know where you are". In my opinion, this is one of those changes Google made to Android that is very confusing to users. Here's some more technical reading, if you'd like more info:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/33043582/bluetooth-low-energy-startscan-on-android-6-0-does-not-find-devices/33045489#33045489
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/33045581/location-needs-to-be-enabled-for-bluetooth-low-energy-scanning-on-android-6-0

Bascially, if you don't allow the location services to be turned on, the scanning cannot occur, and thus, the app will never be able to find the Forerunner.

Hi PMDOUG996INKC

I know that Marshmallow introduced this location/BLE thing. But I'dont thinks its true what you're saying because of the following reasons:
1. I own the device since december and it was shipped with marshmallow and it worked with GC without a problem for more than a month. Then after an update of GC it didn't work anymore.
2. When reinstall my Nexus5x i can make the first connection without "location services" turned on. It stops communicating after GC wants me to turn on locations services.
3. When i turn on location service, my Nexus5X syncs fine and smart notifications work as they should. After i turn location services off, it sometimes continues to work for 1 hour.
4. On the first link you posted one user says the following:

EDIT I meant to add: you only need this for SCANNING. Once you are connected to the BLE device you can shut off the location service on your phone and you will still be connected to your devices. However, you cannot then discover or connect to any new devices and all advertising devices will drop from the onScanResults

So please forward these informations to a DEV that can conatct me directly if he wants.
Thanks
Regards

@GennaroRun
Here's the history... even before Android Marshmallow, some phones would just NOT reconnect. To remedy this, developers realized that if they coded the app to perform a BLE scan (kick the BT chip in the butt, so-to-speak) first, the phone would reconnect. So, GCM along the way, coded it this way... for ALL phones. Then Marshmallow arrived with the new app perm model, which required location services permission and service be "enabled" (which you're already familiar with). GCM is still coded to perform a BLE scan (no matter what phone you have) when there's a open BLE connection "slot".

You're right. While GCM and a Garmin device are connected, you can turn off location services, and as long as the BLE connection remains alive, the app & the device will sync just fine. But, once your phone and your Garmin device lose the connection (we do this by walking down the office hall with the Garmin device in hand, and leaving the phone on our desks), in order to reconnect, since GCM is going to do a scan, it will need location services to be enabled again.

I know what some may be thinking now... "why not code so that for certain Android phones, GCM does NOT have to scan first". While possible, it would be very difficult with all of the Android device fragmentation out in the world. :)

I hope this helps explain the inner-workings, and why this service must be turned on for BLE reconnection, and thus syncing.

- Doug

I hope this helps explain the inner-workings, and why this service must be turned on for BLE reconnection, and thus syncing.
- Doug

It doesn't explain it as far as I'm concerned. I've gone from enjoying my fenix 3 and accompanying app, to now only being able to use the device properly by having my location settings on in order to use the watch as intended.

My phone manages to remain connected via Bluetooth to my car without the location settings being turned on, there's absolutely no reason Garmin connect can't do the same thing. Fix the issue!

Doug,

Thanks for the detailed explanation. It is however clear you cannot please everybody, even if you go the extra bit to explain what is happening. You must sometimes ask yourself why you bother posting on here.

Keep up the good work.

Gerard

Location Service Is On Still Not Syncing

My location services is turned on and has remained on since the android update on Friday 03/11/16 but my Vivofit2 and Connect app still isn't syncing. And since the time change, my band still has me an hour behind *sigh*.

There is absolutely no requirement for Garmin employees to be on this forum. It is a user forum, not a technical support forum. As you can see from Doug's signature he does not post on here as a representative of Garmin.

The connection to your car set-up uses classic (ie pre BT 4.0) Bluetooth, the connection to your watch uses BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy or BT smart). This requirement for location information seems to be a BLE specific thing, hence your car set-up is not affected by the same issues.

There is absolutely no requirement for Garmin employees to be on this forum. It is a user forum, not a technical support forum. As you can see from Doug's signature he does not post on here as a representative of Garmin.

The connection to your car set-up uses classic (ie pre BT 4.0) Bluetooth, the connection to your watch uses BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy or BT smart). This requirement for location information seems to be a BLE specific thing, hence your car set-up is not affected by the same issues.

It's a user forum on a site hosted by Garmin. Expecting some company level interaction is not unreasonable.

You have to see how it is frustrating to essentially be beta testers for devices that cost a fair amount of money. Literally every update on either the device or the app have come with a host of new issues. That is simply unacceptable.

@GennaroRun
I know what some may be thinking now... "why not code so that for certain Android phones, GCM does NOT have to scan first". While possible, it would be very difficult with all of the Android device fragmentation out in the world. :)
- Doug

Actually, I am thinking why you don't put checkbox 'My phone reconnect fine without rescanning', so at least lucky people can have a break. It would be not much work on your part.

Also, have you tried co communicate issue with Google? I had plans to buy S7, but now it goes on hold.

I understand need to inform users about what is going on, but they actually made it much worse, since now we must allow location sharing to other applications to enable function which in fact may not be sharing location data at all. If that was not Google intention in first place...