This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Garmin Connect now requires location services to sync

Hi there,

Update Garmin Connect two nights ago... but disappointed as it took me a while to figure out why my vivosmart HR wasn't syncing...

Apparently now I need to have location services turned on?!?! For a bluetooth device?

I simply can't have location services on all day, it kills my battery. I gave it a go yesterday and it left me with 20% by the end of the day..

Usually after a days worth of use I am sat at around 60-70%.

Once connection is lost, I have to play around for 5 minutes trying to get it to sync again.

This isn't a positive move forward... I hope this is patched soon.

Thanks for reading

0 Not2worried over 8 years ago

Yep, after my phone updated to marshmallow that started.
I like my Garmin, but this needs to be fixed.
Wondering if "other" devices on the market have the same issue.

0 jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

See the Garmin Connect Mobile Forum - Android forum for an explanation.

Here's just one of the posts that explains what's going on. It's due to Android, and not Garmin.

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?344660-Default-Sync-only-works-with-location-services-turned-on&p=813348#post813348

Here's the forum for GCM/A in general:

https://forums.garmin.com/forumdisplay.php?446-Garmin-Connect-Mobile-Android

0 ASmugDill over 8 years ago

Apparently now I need to have location services turned on?!?! For a bluetooth device?

Yes, you do.

I simply can't have location services on all day, it kills my battery.

So don't. They only need to be enabled when the Garmin Connect Mobile app for Android is scanning for BLE devices (including your vivosmart HR) to which to connect. Once a connection has been established, you can manually disable Location Services again if you prefer.

This isn't a positive move forward... I hope this is patched soon.

It isn't a step forward in terms of user experience or convenience, but there is nothing Garmin could do about it, and it cannot be ‘patched’ to circumvent what Google has decided. If you don't like Google's decision, take it up with Google. Threaten that you'll stop using Google services and Android devices as a consumer. That ought to impress upon the leviathan just how much leverage you have as an individual.