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Lost Garmin Instict

Former Member over 3 years ago

I have lost my watch my account is [email protected].

I am worried if someone finds my watch will they have access to my personal information.

0 tmk2 over 3 years ago

Someone who finds your watch will have access only to the data that is stored on the watch, i.e. your recent activities, perhaps some of your physiological metrics, like max hr, body weight, and so on.

0 Former Member over 3 years ago in reply to tmk2

Thankyou I removed my watch from my account I just don't want them to be able to access my routes from my home and work etc times I'm not home personal info so I'm assured now they won't be able to see that on my account now I deleted the watch and all my tracking data. Is this correct sorry bit worried on this ? Thank you

0 e7andy over 3 years ago in reply to Former Member

They can only see what is on the watch and have no access to your account.

On the watch there is the activity history with all the tracking. There is no way you can prevent anyone from accessing that tracking.

Most thieves don't care at all about trying to see where a user has been. They will just do a factory reset to the watch and use it or sell it. Since I'm a Garmin user and know how those watches work and always tries to help people I would extract those files, import them into Garmin Connect and try to find the owner so I can return the watch.

0 Former Member over 3 years ago in reply to e7andy

Thanks mate I appreciate it. Unfortunately I deleted all my tracking on my account so now if someone does find it I don't think they would be able to return it anyway? I got 2 young kids so don't like people knowing where I live especially if a theif. I actually deleted the watch from my acct this prevent anyone seeing my tracking? Any insight would be great

0 e7andy over 3 years ago in reply to Former Member

The tracking on the account will not affect the tracking that is stored on the watch. There is really no need at all to do anything on your account. You will just lose your training history for no reason. Removing the watch will not affect the tracking on the watch. It is a one way sync. From watch to Garmin Connect. Not the other way around.

Anyone that finds your watch can look at the data stored on the watch. Most people don't delete the files on the watch very often and it will store about 200 activities so pretty much all your activities are on the watch unless you train very much or delete them regularly.

0 e7andy over 3 years ago in reply to Former Member

The watch will not say anything who you are. Just some physiological data: gender, birth year, height and weight if you entered that.

The tracking will tell where you do your activities.

Isn't your house visible in Google Maps, Street View and other map services?

If you live in an urban area it is really hard to find you as a person and why locate you just because they might have some activity data?

If you live in a rural area they can see that you sometimes go for a run or a bike ride like most people do...or at least should do :-)

I'm thankful that I live in Sweden were everyone is public and you can lookup anyone you like and get all data about them. You know exactly where everyone lives and how old they are. You don't have to be scared that that information is exposed since it is already public. For foreigners it can feel a bit scary, but you get used to it.