Most Android apps need specific permissions to run on Android, and the Connect Mobile app is no exception.
In an effort to provide better transparency for these permission requests we have detailed the purpose for each below.
Please keep in mind that Google controls the way permissions are named, and the way they are named does not necessarily reflect the way our app uses them.
Calendar "Read calendar events plus confidential information"
Allows Smart Notifications to send Calendar Event notifications to the Garmin device
Contacts "Read your contacts" and "Find accounts on the device" (Identity prior to Android 6.0)
Allows the user to send LiveTrack invites to phone contacts
Allows the app to interact with third-party accounts/apps
Allows display of contact names instead of numbers when viewing smart notifications on Garmin device
Location "Approximate location (network based)" and "Precise location (gps and network-based)"
Allow LiveTrack to track and broadcast your location and allows your location to be displayed on Course and Segment maps
In Android "Marshmallow"/ Android 6.0, Google requires apps that initiate a Bluetooth Low Energy scan to have location services turned on. in order for Garmin devices to be found and connected to, Garmin Connect Mobile must initiate a Bluetooth Low Energy Scan. Due to these changes, location services must be given app permission and turned on in order for Garmin devices to connect with Garmin Connect Mobile and your Android device.
SMS "Receive text messages (SMS)"
Allows Smart Notifications to send SMS notifications to the Garmin device
Phone "Directly call phone numbers" and "Read call log"
Allows Smart Notifications to send Phone Call notifications to the Garmin device and allows user to directly dial Golf Courses from within course information screens
Allows display of contact names instead of numbers when viewing incoming call notifications on Garmin device
Photos/Media/Files "Read the contents of your SD card" and "Modify or delete the contents of your SD card"
Allows the app to create a temporary file on the phone during the Syncing process, containing the data received from the Garmin device, before uploading data to the Garmin Connect website
Camera "Take pictures and video"
Despite the ominous labeling, this permission is only used to allow the "Find My Phone" feature on specific devices (i.e. vivosmart) to use the LED flash as an alert
Device ID & Call Information "Read phone status and identity"
Used for Smart Notifications to verify if the user has Accepted or Denied a call before sending the notification. Also used by the "Find My Phone" feature to ensure the alert is sent to the correct phone.
Other "Run at startup"
Allows a device with smart notifications to reconnect and receive notifications after a phone restart, without requiring the app to be manually opened
Other "Google Play license check"
Used to ensure that user has the most up to date Google Maps and other Google Frameweork services used within the app, to prevent crashes occuring for users with out-dated services
Other " Send sticky broadcast"
Allows user to add Smart Notifications from third-party apps (i.e Facebook notifications)
Other "Prevent phone from sleeping"
Used during Bluetooth pairing to prevent a device entering Sleep Mode from disabling Bluetooth and causing the pairing to fail
Other "Mock location sources for testing"
Used by Garmin Developers only, for simulating location during testing
Other "View network connections"
Used to verify internet connections
Other "read Google service configuration"
Required for app to use Google Services Framework, used throughout the app
Other " Draw over other apps"
Allows Smart Notifications to be sent to the Garmin device when third-party apps are open and Connect Mobile is running in the background
Other "Full network access"
Provides app with internet access
Other "Pair with Bluetooth devices"
Self explanatory
Other "Control vibration"
Used for "Find My Phone" feature
Other "Access Bluetooth settings"
Used to verify if the Garmin device is connected
Other "Receive data from Internet"
Used to to access the Internet to provide account/software notifications
Other "Download files without notification"
Used to allow background downloads for device software updates
These are the specific reasons permissions are needed to use the Garmin Connect Mobile app.