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Vivosmart 4 stops recording GPS after couple of minutes

Former Member over 4 years ago

Hi all.

I have searched forums and saw several topics around VS4 and connected GPS connectivity, but none of them is with the software versions and devices Im using.

Hardware:
- Samsung A8, latest update, Android 9
- Garmin Connect Mobile for Android, version 4.37.2
- VS4, SW: 4.90; TSC: 2.20; SNS: 5.03; NET: 4.71

When I start the activity (I have tried with Walking and Cycling) VS4 asks if I want to use Phone GPS which I confirm. After couple of seconds I get the confirmation (tick) and I start the activity. When walking, VS4 tracks first couple of minutes, or first 100 - 200 meters. After that, no trace of GPS, although the phone has GPS connectivity. When I start Cycling activity, I have no GPS response at all on the VS4.

I have tried unpairing and pairing again, resetting VS4 to factory settings, starting the activity with the app turned on, starting activity without the app turned on, and various combinations, but still no luck. I have checked the App settings and it has Location enabled (which is why I get the first meters/minutes afterall).

Has anyone encountered similar behaviour and managed to fix it, or knows what else I could try to get this working?

Thanks in advance!

Marko

0 trux over 4 years ago

The title tells Vivoactive 4 (a watch with GPS), while you are using the abbreviation VS4, so I guess you do not own the Vivoactive, but rather the Vivosmart 4 fitness tracking device without GPS. Most likely the phone stops the connection due to battery saving options, or becasue the app is now allowed to work inthe background, or because the mobile data saver cuts the connection. Have a look at the Sync / Connection Troubleshooting Guide - it should help you fixing it.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to trux

Thanks for noticing, I have corrected that. Yes, its the Vivosmart 4 I am using. I have made sure the app can run in the background and there are no battery saving options turned on. I will check the mobile data saver ones, I havent checked that yet. Thanks!

0 Former Member over 4 years ago

Update:

Connect GPS will only work for the first minute or so. I have tried several times in several combinations: screen on, screen off, app in the foreground, background... Even when the Garmin Connect is switched on, on the screen, with screen on, the Connect GPS stops recording after approx one minute.

When that happens, no subsequent activities get any GPS data (VS4 says Connected, gives a tick, but no GPS reached the bracelet - after I confirm the activity, no GPS is recorded; during activity distance and speed are not updated). The only way to get VS4 start working with Connect GPS is to terminate the Garmin Connect application and switch it back on. Then, it will for with the next activity for the one minute or so. It will then stop and we are where we started.

Connect GPS will work (for the stated amount of time) even if the Garmin Connect app is not on screen and even if the screen is switched off. It makes no difference whether I start the activity with the app on screen or if the app is in the background and screen switched off. It will never record more than a minute or so.

Appreciate if anyone has any suggestion. Thanks!

Marko

0 trux over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

One possbility could be that the battery optimizing settings of your phone may be cutting off the GPS after a few minutes.

Otherwise there are some videos withs hints regarding the Connected GPS on the following page, so try to check out whether there is not something you did not try yet: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=181lYysPu89MXf3hbi6MF6

And you can also contact the Customer Support, of course

0 Former Member over 4 years ago

Update: After updating to Garmin Connect 4.38.1 the issue persists. GPS works better, I do have more than first 100 m of the track, but it works sporadicaly and completely unreliable. Most times it starts immediately and lasts for some time, less often it has a gap in the track. I have tried switching all other BT devices off, having the Connect app on the screen and screen on at all times, but it makes no difference. I have emailed tech support and waiting for their feedback.