Issue with Garmin Fenix 8 Automatic Reconnection - Sony Xperia

Dear All

I hope this message finds you well I am reaching out as a proud owner of the Garmin Fenix 8, which I have found to be an excellent device in many ways. However, I have been experiencing a persistent issue with the Bluetooth connection between my watch and my ( Sony Xperia 1 Vii )

The issue occurs when the connection between the devices is interrupted—whether I move out of range, restart my phone, or turn the watch off and on again. In these cases, the Bluetooth connection does not automatically re-establish itself. Instead, I have to manually reconnect the watch to my phone each time, which can be quite inconvenient.

I would greatly appreciate any guidance or assistance you can provide to help resolve this matter.

Thank you very much for support

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0 Slick Willie 1 month ago

I have the very same problem, but I've been thinking it's the phone not the watch as it only occurred when I paired to the Xperia 1 VII and not my previous phone

0 Slick Willie 1 month ago

I have the very same problem, but I've been thinking it's the phone not the watch as it only occurred when I paired to the Xperia 1 VII and not my previous phone

0 basilbus 1 month ago

I have the same problem with my xperia. But my old fenix 6x works perfectly fine.

0 6629217 14 days ago

Exact same issue with my Xperia 1 VII and and Epix Pro. Had zero issues with the same watch and my Xperia 1 V. I sent Bluetooth logs and more information to a contact at Sony on the Xperia side a few months ago but haven't heard back.

0 Slick Willie 14 days ago in reply to 6629217

Garmin have reported it's a Sony issue.

Sony replied today with the below but haven't had a chance to try the options yet:

1. Check that there are no updates available from the support application, or by checking the below steps:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mobile/xperia-1m7/v1/en/contents/update_device_wirelessly.html?search=update
2. Force restarts the device. You can force restart the device by pressing and holding on the power button and volume-up key at the same time until the device vibrates once.
3. Enable your device in safe mode and check if the same issue will happen or not. You can find the safe mode instructions below:
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/mobile-phones-tablets-mobile-phones/xperia-1/articles/00255266
4. Use the link below to make a backup of your data:
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/SX915801
5. Perform a factory reset for the device using the link below:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mobile/xperia-1m7/v1/en/contents/restart_reset_device.html?search=factory
6. Follow the link below to perform a software repair:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mobile/xperia-1m7/v1/en/contents/repair_sw_xperia_companion.html?search=factory

If the issue remains, kindly provide us with the below information to be able to escalate the issue to the relevant department:

0 6629217 14 days ago in reply to Slick Willie

That's a standard troubleshooting template from a standard customer service rep. Not helpful.

I reached out to someone who actually works on the phones with the hopes they can get a fix in a future firmware update.

0 Pelle-74 10 days ago

Buddy of mine has the same issue with Fenix 8 47mm and Xperia 1 VII (all the August 2025 updates), highly annoying.

Whereas my Epix 2 Pro plays nice with my Xperia 1 VII, so I am not 100% convinced that this is just a Sony problem...

0 7864328 7 days ago in reply to Pelle-74

Yeah Im also conflicted. Why are a few of my Garmin watches working flawlessly with the Xperia while a other few Garmin watches don't work at all with no reconnects.

I do feel the biggest issue is with Sony, but some smaller issues on Garmins side

0 guinnsquirrel 5 days ago

Hello,

I am noticing that if my Garmin Fenix 7 Pro goes out-of-range from my phone, it then fails to reconnect when back in range. I have to keep unpairing/reparing for it to work.

Is this an issues with my watch, Garmin connect or my phone?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all

Mod note: joined threads as this is related to the issue noted by Sony xperia users.

0 Slick Willie 13 hours ago

Xperia system update 71.1.A.2.68 installed earlier today seems to have made a positive impact so far. Fingers crossed!