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Garmin Connect App Always Running in Background on Android Phone

DaveVanGogh
over 1 year ago

Garmin Connect is always running in the background on my Pixel8 phone.  Even when I force stop the app, a minute later it starts up.

This was not the case on my older Pixel3.

So Garmin added something to do this.

I have read the dozens of posts about this on the Forums.  Everyone with a new phone has this problem. 

And there is a lot of useless information about it, especially the long-winded techie posts about Developer Mode, and the 52-step processes to stop this.  NONE OF THEM WORK.

Garmin has put this diabolical feature in, and they MUST update the software with a simple ON/OFF setting, clear as day, to turn off background processing.

I have been a Garmin customer for decades.  And this is a stupid process.  Invasive.  In fact, when I did use Developer Settings to turn off the TWO (2) Garmin processes, I noted one of them is the microphone for voice commands.  THIS is a clear invasion of privacy - that the background process is using the mic, without permission.  And I know, before you say it, I have already set ALL the permissions on my phone, and only one or two apps get permission for the mic, and Garmin Connect is NOT one of them.

Hey Garmin - FIX IT.  Don't give me a lecture on a long long process to do this.  Add a slider button to the app in an update, ASAP, or just turn this dumb thing off permanently.

If not - I'm done - I won't own a Garmin product ever again.  And Garmin marketing folks - check out my product list - it's long.

And don't ask what Android or what version of this or that.  Just make it so.

-Dave

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  • 0 over 1 year ago

    It is designed to always run so it is unlikely that will change in the close future. 

    "The Garmin Connect app needs to run in the background to keep your Garmin device connected with key features such as smart notifications and weather information. This also allows background data syncing to send data from your device to your Garmin Connect account."

    https://support.garmin.com/en-AU/?faq=jrKblLfaYB1fZZkraDpAs6&productID=125677&tab=topics

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to e7andy

    That's BAD design.  We all have smart phones that have better weather reporting than Garmin.  No one needs weather notifications from Garmin when we have a dozen other better apps to report that.  Smart notifications - unlike ALL other apps where this is a SETTING ON/OFF - Garmin has this forced on.  Dumb.
    Data syncing - that's what the APP is for - but only after a ride when I run the APP.  Data synch in the background?  That needs to be an ON/OFF setting too, like ALL other apps.

    Garmin really blew it.  My 520 plus is on its last legs, and that will be my last Garmin.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to DaveVanGogh

    It is by default on and most users like to have it like that. They want notifications and weather and other updates. 

    But, if the user selects to turn off that it should be possible to stop the app from running and you will have to manually start it to sync. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to DaveVanGogh

    I don't care about weather but I want it to sync and forward my messages.

    if you don't need those features you can just uninstall the app and sync via WiFi. The Garmin WebInterface is better structured and shows more data anyway.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to e7andy

    Why do these Forums always turn into "you could do this or you could do that" with no real solution - to try and work around obvious problems?  I mean, this issue has been posted on the Forums numerous times, for at least 5 years.  But Garmin ignores us.  Garmin could listen and take heed of its customers and add a feature that that easily turns off background processing when the App is not running.  It's pretty standard on all the apps I use, if they have background processing.  But instead, we get a long winded try this and try that.  And it's not just Garmin.  It's about half of all device manufactures.  What's that tell you?

  • 0 over 1 year ago
    DaveVanGogh said:

    Garmin Connect is always running in the background on my Pixel8 phone.  Even when I force stop the app, a minute later it starts up.

    This was not the case on my older Pixel3

    Perhaps this is more of a topic for a Google forum?
    I use iPhone, and when I close the Connect app, it stays closed.
    Anyway, it doesn't seem to be a Garmin problem.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to DaveVanGogh
    DaveVanGogh said:
    Why do these Forums always turn into "you could do this or you could do that" with no real solution

    Because this is a user forum, and we can only offer you existing solutions or workarounds. If there are none, we cannot help.

    You need to contact Garmin, if you want a change in the app. I recommend using the form at Share Ideas | Garmin, but you can also call the Support, and ask them to forward your request to the leadership, and to the developers.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to bluefish

    "I use iPhone, and when I close the Connect app, it stays closed."
    It used to work that way on Pixel3.  Could be an Android/Pixel8 issue.

    Let's close the issue for now.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to DaveVanGogh
    DaveVanGogh said:
    Why do these Forums always turn into "you could do this or you could do that" with no real solution - to try and work around obvious problems?

    Because that is what this forum is for.

    That the app is running in the background isn't a problem for most users since they want the smartwatch functionality. The app is the companion app for the watch and will handle the communication of data.

    There will of course be some users that don't want to do like the majority and then they need to apply some workarounds. That you experience that about half of all device manufacturers don't do as you want probably means that you are one of those users.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to bluefish
    bluefish said:
    I use iPhone, and when I close the Connect app, it stays closed.

    That is how it works on iOS and that is also why there are many support cases from users about that their watches don't work as expected. They force close the app instead of keeping it running as it is designed to be.

    On Android you can set the app to autostart when needed.