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Known Issue: Forerunner 220 Unable To Sync with Samsung Galaxy S3 (+ Workaround)

Former Member over 11 years ago

We are currently aware of an issue that can occur when attempting to sync a Forerunner 220 with a Samsung Galaxy S3.

The Forerunner will successfully pair with the phone, but will be unable to sync/upload with the app. The problem appears to be due to the Forerunner encountering an error while downloading the GPS ephemeris data during it's initial connection.

We do believe we have discovered a temporary workaround, for those experiencing this issue, that seems to work in most cases:

Note: Before attempting the steps below, please ensure that your Galaxy S3 is running Android version 4.3 or higher, the Forerunner is running the latest firmware, and the app is up-to-date.

To temporarily correct the issue, reboot both the phone and the watch and attempt the sync again. During our in-house testing this appeared to correct the issue temporarily. Subsequent sync attempts may require a reboot to be performed again.

We have informed the developers of this issue and they are currently looking into a solution.

Please monitor this thread for any updates.

0 inandout22 over 10 years ago

For those of you waiting for a fix, I noticed that Verizon is updating the S3 with Kitkat. Long story short, I upgraded my phone to the new OS and then the upgraded the Connect app and for the first time my watch syncs!!!!!!

Live track works too...

Check your phone to see if your carrier is providing the OS update. Hopefully this fixes your issues as it did mine.

Well that was short lived. Installed the latest connect update and sync broke again. Remember when garmin used to provide amazing service? Those days are long gone...

0 inandout22 over 10 years ago

SYNC Works NOW

Well that was short lived. Installed the latest connect update and sync broke again. Remember when garmin used to provide amazing service? Those days are long gone...

Working with the latest version of Android. FINALLY!!

Check with our carrier to see when they are going to upgrade. I know Verizon and Sprint have it available.

0 AngeloMiele over 10 years ago

I read that the kitkat upgrade will be available only for the 2Gb ram american version of s3. So the problem in europe persists...

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

No Sync (AT&T Samsung S3)

Another frustrated and disappointed user here. Just dropped $300 on this watch. Downloaded the app to my Samsung S3 (4.3 android), I can find and pair the watch but the phone then just sits with a popup dialogue ("Requesting device identification file...") that never goes away. If I back out of the screen, the watch is paired, but can't sync. Have tried removing the app, rebooting both devices, etc. No luck. Guess I should have picked up the Tom Tom or Nike watches and saved myself $150.

0 capraale over 10 years ago

After many unsuccessful trials I did three consecutive successful uploads. Sync is completed in less than a minute.

Working conditions:
FR220 with GPS visible and connected
FR220 with the display in data screen mode (i.e. lap pace, lap time, ....)
FR220 and S3 GT-I9300 updated to latest version (2.8 and 4.3).
FR220 set to extended time before standby.

Previously I tried to sync when at home without GPS signal. This is the only difference I can notice. Please check if this can help others of you to "mitigate" the problems we have with this device.

Tonight I'll update my FR220 to fw version 2.9. Curious to see if after the update it will continue to sync without problems.

0 4djelliot over 10 years ago

I've done many successful syncs without GPS...

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Don't pair with Samsung Galaxy S3 mini...Can you Garmin fix that? Thanks!

0 gilles.k over 10 years ago

FYI
With my S3 (GT-I9300) and CyanogenMod C11 (android Kitkat), I don't have problem to sync runs, to upload training or use live tracking. (With or without GPS signal)
But I don't see the Fr620 in the associated Bluetooth devices of my phone. I see it connected only in the Garmin connect application (and of course on the watch with the Bluetooth icon)

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Just bought the 220 yesterday. Have spent hours trying to sync watch to my galaxy S3. Ridiculous that this issue hasn't been fixed. Returning the watch tomorrow and buying the Tom Tom.

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Remember that with BT4 (BTle) you do not pair the device with the phone using the phones Settings mode. You need to pair the two from in the APP ( in this case Garmin Connect ).

I had someone yesterday ask for help that was trying to pair the old non BT4 way.