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Just purchased Vivoactive HR: notifications simply don't work

I bought the VAHR yesterday. I wanted a device to track pool swims, runs, and bike rides. I would like to get notifications while at home or at work, so I don't have to carry my phone all the time.

I am paired with an iPhone 6. I have the Garmin Connect app on the phone, and it easily and quickly syncs with the VAHR.

Oddly, I can't get ANY notifications on this device. I followed the instructions from owner's manual, have searched this forum, and I give up.

I'm seriously thinking of returning it and just getting a Garmin Swim and sticking with my Garmin Edge 500 for rides and runs.

If anyone had a similar experience and figured out how to make this work, I would love to hear about it!

- Joe

0 jim_m_58 over 8 years ago

You may want to check in the Garmin Connect Mobile iOS forum, as maybe it has something to do with if GCM is open or not, or a setting in iOS, for example..

https://forums.garmin.com/forumdisplay.php?445-Garmin-Connect-Mobile-iOS

This forum is more for the Garmin Connect website itself.

0 ASmugDill over 8 years ago

I bought the VAHR yesterday. …‹snip›… I would like to get notifications while at home or at work, so I don't have to carry my phone all the time.

You don't need to have the phone on your person all the time, but if it isn't in the same room (or within Bluetooth's effective transmission range, without being blocked by walls, etc.) as your wearable device, smart notifications don't work so well anyway.

I'm seriously thinking of returning it

If you can't work it out and get satisfaction on Day‑1, and the immediate ‘solution’ that comes to your mind is to return the product, then perhaps you should. There will be many frustrations along the way no matter which model of device you get, sometimes due to a knowledge gap, and other times due to the companion phone app or cloud-based platform being temporarily faulty, etc. and if that's not something you're prepared to deal with, then it's wise to stay well clear.

0 reflex65 over 8 years ago

You may want to check in the Garmin Connect Mobile iOS forum, as maybe it has something to do with if GCM is open or not, or a setting in iOS, for example..

https://forums.garmin.com/forumdisplay.php?445-Garmin-Connect-Mobile-iOS

This forum is more for the Garmin Connect website itself.

Thanks, I'll head over there!

0 reflex65 over 8 years ago

You don't need to have the phone on your person all the time, but if it isn't in the same room (or within Bluetooth's effective transmission range, without being blocked by walls, etc.) as your wearable device, smart notifications don't work so well anyway.

If you can't work it out and get satisfaction on Day‑1, and the immediate ‘solution’ that comes to your mind is to return the product, then perhaps you should. There will be many frustrations along the way no matter which model of device you get, sometimes due to a knowledge gap, and other times due to the companion phone app or cloud-based platform being temporarily faulty, etc. and if that's not something you're prepared to deal with, then it's wise to stay well clear.

Good point in the first sentence!

Maybe you're right on the second point. I'm looking for something that works "out-of-the-box," without requiring endless tinkering and Google searching.

- Joe

0 pshare over 8 years ago

If you expect to get notifications without carrying your phone, I'm afraid it won't work. The VAHR just mirrors the notifications using your phone as the source. The best you can expect is to see the notifications on your watch without having to look at your phone's display.