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Garmin Connect keeps using GPS

3770824
over 4 years ago

I recently replaced my Vivomove HR with a Garmin Instinct.  Since the change, I noticed Garmin Connect keeps using GPS of my Android phone.

I tried disabling GPS permission for Garmin Connect, but when I open Garmin Connect again, it asks for GPS permission for weather information, so I turned it back on.

I'm suspecting some feature might have been enabled apart from weather service, but I couldn't locate any related settings on the app, or the watch.  Of course it could also be a bug.

Is this a new feature that must have GPS turned on?  I'm ok with the weather service, but I didn't expect it will use GPS 24/7 and I don't think it's necessary.

My Garmin Connect version is 4.38.1, in Android 9.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    More info:

    If I turn off my instinct, the GPS connection will not go away, so I can confirm it is not related to "connected GPS" or something similar.

    If I force stopping Garmin connect, the GPS connection on the notification goes away immediately.  And when I open Garmin Connect, it will not turn on GPS connection again, until maybe the next day I open Garmin Connect again.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 3770824

    Well, using the Location services does not necessarily mean the GPS chip is permanently powered on, and consuming power. Location services on an Android phone work a bit more complexely, and use more data sources (i.e. GSM triangulation, WiFi), especially when indoors. Personally I have the Location turned on permanently, and the consumption of GC is below 0.5%.

    However, if you want to turn off Location, remove the permission for GC, and disable the notifications:

    Long-tap the GC icon, select App Info, then Notifications, and disable the option Acess Required

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to trux

    Thanks Trux.  Just wonder what additional feature when using my different watches (vivosmart HR Vs instinct) would the app require GPS connection.  And if any settings could change the frequency instead of having it on 24/7, I would love to see that.

    Vivosmart HR also have weather, but I didn't realise my phone would need to activate GPS all the time.  I guess the weather function between the two watches are the same, that's why seeing the GPS icon always on screen makes me uncomfortable.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 3770824
    3770824 said:
    ust wonder what additional feature when using my different watches (vivosmart HR Vs instinct) would the app require GPS connection. 

    See here: Why Does the Garmin Connect App Need Location Data from My Phone?

    As I already wrote, you do not need to bother about the Location Services being turned on. The GPS chip uses power only when actually used, which is very infrequently, and for a very brief time. Read more details about it here: Should you always have your phone’s GPS Location turned on?.