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iOS 15 Focus Mode Feature Request

FrajerCrane
over 3 years ago

With the release of iOS 15 and its new notification management options, the Garmin Venu (and presumably all Garmin smartwatches with notification capabilities) does not properly support them.

Focus mode

All focus modes are handled as Do Not Disturb was handled on iOS14 and earlier. No notifications notify on the watch, even though they are configured as allowed apps and contacts within the focus mode's settings and notify on the phone as expected.

Notification summaries

When notification summaries are enabled, all notifications still notify on the watch in real-time even though they do not on the phone.

Overall

It seems likely that these are iOS limitations that Garmin can't work around, just like being able to choose which apps notify on the watch is available on Android but not iOS.

But truthfully, that's really all I want so I can have only a select few apps buzz my wrist. I know iOS doesn't support filtering which notifications are sent to the device, but it seems feasible that Garmin could solve this by filtering on-device. In this scenario, all notifications would still be sent to the watch but the watch would choose which to display.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    With an Apple phone/iOS device, you are able to pick and choose what smart notifications display on your watch. You will just need to change the settings on the iOS device's settings instead of in Garmin Connect, like you do for an Android device.


    In iPhone Settings>Notifications>Select the app for which you wish to control notifications on your watch. In this next screen, "Alerts" controls what is displayed on the phone and "Show Previews" controls what is displayed on the watch.


    If you have your phone in Do Not Disturb or Focus mode, you will not receive notifications on the watch.

    How Do I Set Up Which Notifications Display on My Garmin Device?

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Garmin-Kevin

    Sorry, but this misses the mark. Fundamentally changing the way the notifications appear on my phone is and having that cascade to the watch is not akin to choosing which notifications display on my watch. I do not want to change the way the notifications work on my phone.

    I understand this is an iOS limitation that's in Apple's hands. I was just suggesting that it would be nice to see Garmin provide a workaround by filtering the notifications after they are sent to the watch but before they are displayed.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Garmin-Kevin

    Well bummer.  This defeats the purpose of Focus mode.  If I set things I want to see then I want to see them on phone and watch.  That's the point of me choosing what I want to see.  I'd like to see Garmin's software align with iOS15.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Tatormc

    Exactly. Trying to be a lot more intentional about eliminating distractions, etc. nowadays and was super excited for the iOS 15 features that facilitate this.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Just updated to iOS15 on iPhone XR. New Focus function allows notifications to be turned off with exceptions for people and specific apps. Added Connect app to Allowed Notifications but do not receive any notifications on Vivoactive 4 if Focus is turned on. Specifically using the Sleep focus and want to allow certain people and apps to to notify me during sleep. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I am having the same issues, I have been working with Garmin on this as well. I have turned summaries off, i will attempt to get those on and see if it helps. however, what I am seeing is the notifications are coming to the watch but never alerting. If I go into my widgets on my F6 i can see the notifications that I was never alerted for. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Garmin-Kevin

    This is a very poor response.  Apple released an API to support Focus Modes for developers.  It seems to me that Garmin is choosing to not adjust the coding of their app in order to support new functionality that Apple has released.  The further Garmin gets from supporting Apple's API's the more I am considering moving back to the Apple Watch.  Their wrist based heart rate monitor is class leading, proven to be better than Gamin.  Their Pulse Ox has proven to be more accurate.  Garmin needs to wake up and not continue to have this elitist mentality that the way they do things is always correct.  Notifications is a huge concern to many users.  Focus Modes address notification overload at certain times of the day.  When working individuals do not need to have personal notifications, except from VIPs come through to the wrist.  So your response is to go into IOS settings and turn off or on those notifications for the context of the time of day.  If a user turns on a Focus mode they get ZERO notification on their watch.  Makes the watch useless for keeping up on information.  Your response totally misses the mark.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to lboucher

    Thank you for providing that information.  However, it still does not support focus modes from iOS 15.  If I turn on a focus mode, Garmin connect app as currently coded sees the status of all focus modes as Do Not Disturb and allows zero notification through to the watch.  The purpose of focus modes is to allow some notifications through but not others.  

    For example, when I am working, I place my phone into a work focus mode and I will get notifications from work contacts and apps, but not personal except for those family members that I have identified as able to break through (on the iPhone, not the watch).  Since Garmin has chosen to not support the API that has been available since June 2021, no matter the focus mode I get ZERO notifications (on the watch).  If Garmin is going to support notifications on Android or Apple they must support the Functionality that is part of the OS.  They are not.  All Garmin has to do is support the API that apple released in their Garmin Connect App.

    Again, I do appreciate the information you sent to me, however, it does not meet my needs.  

    Thanks again.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to brockwortman

    Well, I have exactly the same issue. This company is a joke.

    You are complaining about notifications and I bought a faulty Index S2 scale.

    No one has ever seen correct metrics using this scale, we have tons of themes and messages on this thread https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/index-s2-smart-scale, and Garmin still investigating this issue, removing themes with angry comments and we create new ones. One year already has passed. With this kind of management, SW development, and QA I hope this company will end up like Nokia.