Default Sync only works with location services turned on

I usually keep my Location setting deactivated to save battery power,

That is your choice. If receiving notifications on your wrist-worn device is important to you, then the option of least financial impact is simply to accept having to charge the battery on your Android handset more often, due to leaving Location services enabled all the time, regardless of your preference as owner and user of the handset. On the other hand, if enforcing your preferences with regard to system settings is more important to you, then I trust you'll make an informed decision as to whether to change your wrist-worn device or your mobile handset at your cost.

I was using my band for email/messaging notifications, but it looks like I don't have that feature anymore.

Did you unilaterally (decide to) upgrade your handset, or the operating system running on it, and in doing so put yourself into a position where what worked for you before is no longer the status quo, so now you face an unwelcome dilemma?

it looks like I may need to move on to a Moto 360 Android Wear device.

Considering it's an Android 6 requirement, do you think that will work?

I'm no android developer but I think this addresses the problem and gives a solution for the app developers @ Garmin:

https://developer.radiusnetworks.com/2015/09/29/is-your-beacon-app-ready-for-android-6.html

Is there an official statement of Garmin about the Android 6 problem? I heard that they blame Android/Google for the changes but Android 6 is on the market now for half a year and it seems the Garmin developer are not fixing the problem.

Rob

Is there an official statement of Garmin about the Android 6 problem?

What official statement does it need to make? Its Garmin Connect Mobile app for Android and its currently available fitness wearable devices are demonstrably compatible with Android‑6. If a user fails (or unilaterally declines, be it an informed decision or otherwise) to give the required permissions at install or runtime to the app, or disables Location services, that's not Garmin's problem.

I heard that they blame Android/Google for the changes

Quite rightly.

but Android 6 is on the market now for half a year and it seems the Garmin developer are not fixing the problem.

It's not up to Garmin to try to defy or work around Google's changes in permissions management in Android‑6, just so certain users' preference to keep Location services disabled can be accommodated without compromising their ability to sync their Garmin devices with the GCM app continually. It's not up to Garmin to care whether those users now have to explicitly and manually toggle Location services on their Android mobile devices now whenever they want to sync, and then disable Location services again so that those users can respect their own personal preferences.

Just to be clear, I'm an Android user, I don't like leaving Location services enabled (and therefore they stay disabled except when I need to use map apps for navigation), and I won't be upgrading the operating systems on my Samsung phone and tablet to Android‑6 because of Google's changes. Even so, as a paying customer, I don't expect to unreasonably make it Garmin's responsibility or obligation to turn things around.

Any news?

Hi,

I just got new Sony Xperia Z5 Compact with Android 6. I have Garmin Connect installed to phone. When I turn Bluetooth on in the phone Garmin Connect starts to ask location services all the time. Even if I do not have Garmin equipment connected to phone. I use Bluetooth to connect phone to car and my handsfree set during the day. Garmin units are at home and I'm in the office why Garmin Connect need my location in that situation? How to get that message away?

How would Garmin Connect Mobile know where you are and where your Garmin units are?

Garmin units are at home and I'm in the office why Garmin Connect need my location in that situation?

The Garmin Connect Mobile app does not know whether your mobile handset is within Bluetooth range of your Garmin devices until it does a search, and on Android‑6, it requires access to Location services in the operating system to perform that search. Performing such searches is one of the app's responsibilities, and the user does not have the option to (conditionally or unconditionally) relieve the app of that responsibility.

Other app's and site's stated otherwise...

I'm no android developer but I think this addresses the problem and gives a solution for the app developers @ Garmin:

https://developer.radiusnetworks.com/2015/09/29/is-your-beacon-app-ready-for-android-6.html

Is there an official statement of Garmin about the Android 6 problem? I heard that they blame Android/Google for the changes but Android 6 is on the market now for half a year and it seems the Garmin developer are not fixing the problem.

Rob

Hi,

I'm also no android developer, but the article given by DOUG996INKC also states one can use an alternate function to scan BLE devices without location (permission) ... So this article doesn't support hist statement at all that it is an Google issue... (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/33045581/location-needs-to-be-enabled-for-bluetooth-low-energy-scanning-on-android-6-0 )..

seems an Garmin issue..

I'm also no android developer,

Me neither, although I used to develop software (primarily on Solaris, but other Unix-like operating systems too) for a living.

but the article given by DOUG996INKC also states one can use an alternate function to scan BLE devices without location (permission) ... So this article doesn't support hist statement at all that it is an Google issue…

It is a Google issue because Google now imposes a new permissions requirement for the method that used to work fine in Android 4.x and 5.x without Location services being enabled.

seems an Garmin issue..

That may be the user's perspective, but you're looking to Garmin to change its code so that it best serves your personal values and preferences, whereas Garmin is using what is known to work in all versions of the Android operating system (from 4.3 onwards, being what would support Bluetooth LE required for connectivity with the watch), but Google has imposed an extra requirement that Location services are enabled and accessible by the Garmin Connect Mobile app in Android6.x.

It gets back to what I said in the other thread: if you don't like the requirement, take it up with Google directly yourself, instead of expecting Garmin to defy and work around Google's new requirement to ‘protect’ or enforce your preferences/requirements as a user.

Mi Fit

Explain why Mi Fit works.. Without locations.. This seems just a decision Garmin makes not to change it..