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Airpods connect/disconnect to iPhone

5926372

I recently got a Fenix 8 47 mm AMOLED and really love it HOWEVER, for some reason my Airpods have stopped working with my iphone. I do not want to connect the airpods to the watch and haven'r done so eather, but not when I want to use the airpods with my phone, they keep connecting and disconnecting instantly. I know its the garmin watch / app spooking because they work perfect when the watch is disconnected. 

I have also tried resetting the airpod connection with my iphone but with the same results.

Anyone else experienced this and know how to solve it? 

  • 0 in reply to 1335080

    1335080 - thanks for taking one for the team!

  • 0

    Was this ever fixed? I just got a forerunner 970 in August 2026 and my AirPods Pro three keep disconnecting. The same behaviour everyone else is experiencing. I’ve tried all updates and I can’t use them both together.

  • 0 in reply to hometown9

    @hometown9, many (all?) have had success by closing the garmin connect app on their Iphone and then, after connecting their garmin device to their iphone via bluetooth, going into their iphone’s bluetooth settings and preventing the iphone from launching the garmin connect app the next time the garmin device and iphone establish a bluetooth connection.  This has allowed me to use my airpod pro 3s while my garmin device is running.  Garmin last updated the connect app on 8/14/2026 and other commenters on this thread have indicated that the airpod disconnection problem continues to happen with this new update.  No update/response from Garmin Tech Support on this issue for a while now.   I was planning on buying a new garmin device (an edge 1050) to replace my older Edge 1030+ but am now considering other options.  Hoping Garmin will fix/update us on status of this material connectivity issue.  Hate having to choose between airpod functionality (wihich only works if connect app is closed) and the ability to alert friends/family to both my location while cycling (breadcrumbs) and any problems i incur (fall alert) — which only works if connect app is running.  

  • 0 in reply to dnsacks

    Thanks.  I had an Epix Gen II Pro and had zero issues like this.  I'm sure the new models have different protocols and mechanisms by which they interact w/ the phone, but this is a redline issue if you can't use headphones because it interferes w/ the watch.  I'll give Garmin until my return window (30 days) and if not resolved I'm returning.  Seems like an important bug to resolve.

  • 0 in reply to hometown9

    Hometown9 — interesting — looks like your old epix gen ii pro was released in 2023.  I’m having disconnect problems with my Edge 1030 plus bike computer, which was released in 2020 (older than yours) — so doesn’t look like it’s solely a new device protocol issue.  

  • 0

    I gave Garmin the benefit of a doubt until the end of the month and nothing has happened to solve this issue.

    OP is 5 months old (!!) and this issue is still ongoing.

    I done my part and submitted multiple logs to Garmin per their request in this thread and the only communication from them have been that they received the logs.  

    I'm selling my device now and and turning elsewhere. 

  • 0

    The latest Connect (5.28.1) has not solved the problem.

    When I started charging wallet on Instinct 3 AMOLED while I was listening Podcast, my AirPods lost connection, and kept disconnecting and reconnecting. Charging did not proceed. Once I put AirPods back in case, charging resumed. After force quit of Connects, AirPods reconnected as usual.

  • 0 in reply to 3964667

    This issue has been lingering long enough that I'm surprised the FTC hasn't stepped in to require Garmin to post a disclaimer informing consumers that Apple AirPods are not fully compatiple with their platform. Or worse, for Apple to elimate the Connect App from the App Store entirely until the problem is resolved. Whenever someone calls Apple support for an AirPods issue now, rather than having them restart their device, the first troubleshooting question should be "Do you have Garmin Connect downloaded to your device?"

  • 0

    Same issue just got my watch and I can’t stay on a phone call. Is there a resolution ? If not I’ll be returning and sticking to the iwatch . What a waste .

  • 0 in reply to 3964667

    FWIW, Connect version 5.28.1 seems to be working for me.  Specifically, after updating my iPhone 15 pro to Connect version 5.28.1, I changed my phone's bluetooth setting for my Garmin Edge 1030 plus bike computer to allow the phone to launch Connect when my Edge connected to it via bluetooth -- previously, quitting Connect on my iPhone and then and changing the bluetooth setting to prevent Connect from launching when my Edge connected to the iPhone was the only way I cold prevent my AirPods Pro 3s from disconnecting during a ride.  I've now successfully completed 3 rides with Connect running on my iPhone and while using my Edge 1030 Plus and my AirPods remained connected (I use Plexamp to stream music) throughout each ride.  Fingers crossed.