Version 3.8 July 15: Still no "Auto Upload=On/Off" device control

The latest version is much much better for me as the synch works great and notifications, weather etc. all day

I' m happy for you, but I have the opposite issue. I do not need to sync my data and do not want to sync my data. This version of the app does not allow me to keep my data private.

I only want to have the choice to sync or not.

It is indeed removed functionality. And it contradicts the privacy agreement that is presented during the installation of the app. It simply has to be fixed.

To make matters worse for me, the old version of GCM Mobile (3.3) I was using, has stopped working, and because I needed the smartwatch functions during the workday, I installed 3.8. And promptly forgot to turn off Bluetooth on the Fenix 3 when I went for a swim later on.

I knew that GCM Mobile synced as soon as you opened the app (version 3.5) but this one (3.8) also syncs when you never open the app. It had sent my swim to Garmin almost as soon as I was out of the water, without me even touching the phone. The battery of the Fenix 3 has drained way more than usual today.

I have asked Garmin Support twice about this, received one answer so far: "Sorry for the inconvenience".

Sorry Garmin, I was just about to upgrade to a Fenix 3HR when this happened! The Fenix hardware is excellent, I have become a kind of Fenix-collector, and I own so many ANT+ sensors and Garmin specific stuff that I can't easily switch brands.

But I'll simply buy a cheap smartwatch for the notifications. Even if this gets fixed, how can I be sure Garmin doesn't take the functionality out again, so unfortunately, my Fenix family is now complete.

Edit: Interim solution: The Fenix 2 still connects with the 3.3 version of GCM. So I use that for notifications only, and the Fenix 3 for everything else. The Fenix 2 is too bulky to wear on my other wrist, so it's in a pocket. It's a nice conversational item when I take it out to look at messages.

But it will probably be just a matter of time before communications between Fenix 2 and GCM 3.3 break like they did for the Fenix 3.

Update: Garmin Support NL acknowledges there is a problem and that work is being done to solve it, but there is no estimate when it will be solved.

Thank you for the news Garmin Support! Hope a solution will be found soon.

Checking On This Issue

Hi OP,

Just wanted to check to see if the ability to turn auto sync on/off has been resolved. I am new to Garmin Connect, running mobile app version 3.11 and firmware 4.20 on my Vivoactive, and the option to disable "Auto Upload" is grayed out and unavailable still.

Was just wondering if anyone has heard anything about this issue. Thanks!

No news on this. The only thing I have been told by local Garmin Support is that it is under investigation.

I have found a workaround using an Android firewall and have tested that for almost a week with version 3.11 and Fenix 2. As of today also with the Fenix 3. Notifications are working. PM me for details.

Edit: More info here:http://www.workaholics.nl

Update: According to Garmin uploads are always required. If you do not want to upload, you have to stop using Garmin Connect Mobile.

Auto Upload On/Off

Hey everyone. New to this device but not to Garmin. I have been using the Vivoactive HR for about 1 week. Prior I was using a Samsung Gearfit 2. Tizen and lack of apps along with GPS issues wore me down and got me looking at other devices. I am a little surprised and disappointed to see this issue is still going on. I am a light phone user and do not install apps daily. The last app I installed on my AT&T Galaxy S7 Edge was in September and it was Poweramp a music player. So I install Garmin Connect Mobile. So my battery on the phone would typically be around 40 - 60% from on to off about 6:00AM - 10:00PM EST. Now with Garmin Mobile Connect I am below 20% by 6:00PM and getting low battery warnings between 8:00 - 9:00PM. It took me a couple of days to realize that this app is running and updating constantly. I thought when I opened the app and saw it synching at the bottom that it really was. Now I received a brand new phone two days ago, a OnePlus 3T. Set it up as brand new with no apps other than what shipped with it. Only thing I installed from my Google Apps was Garmin Connect Mobile. Same result. A fully charged battery at 6:00 AM was down to 12% at 10:00PM. I used Bluetooth for other apps and really do not want to turn it off just for this. I will try calling Garmin because I do like this device but looking at the time frame where this problem started I am not very hopeful that a fix is in the near future. Been an Amazon Prime member for a few years and never returned a working used item. Might be the first time. Just hard to believe that users seem to be accepting this battery drain issue.

I have been using the Vivoactive HR for about 1 week. [..] It took me a couple of days to realize that this app is running and updating constantly.

The battery draining fast is usually due to the syncing between the phone and the Connect servers. Syncing occurs frequently, at least every 15 minutes (that is for a Fenix 3, may be different for your device). If the internet connection is not of a good quality or quite slow, this takes more time, and the phone's radio transmits during that time, which drains the battery relatively fast.

The only thing that helps a bit is switching off either Bluetooth on the watch, or the data connection on the phone, while you are in an area with bad quality network. If BLE is off on the watch, the app doesn't try to sync every 15 minutes.

It is quite unfortunate that you can't switch the syncing off (temporarily) in the GCM app. It used to be possible, but it has been taken out of the app.

Do contact Garmin with your issue. They may not have an immediate solution, but if more people report the same problem, they might start working on one.