Can we get a Manual Activity button next to the other ones, please?

Just out of curiosity - why do you actually need to add activities manually? In all the years I use Garmin watches, I think I never used that function (apart of testing to see how it works). I see absolutely no purpose in creating a manual activity, since it has no impact on any metrics anyway. I simply record all my activities on the watch, which is much less hassle than having to add it manually, and unlike a manual activity, the one logged by the watch does impact all relevant metrics.

As a workaround, bookmark the Add a Manual Activity page (https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/manual), drag it to a prominent spot on your bookmarks toolbar, and set your bookmarks toolbar to always be visible.

3268151 said:

There is no reason to make adding manual activities a second-class citizen in the interface. Why does uploading an activity get a handy button and not adding a manual activity? The Strava interface treats both options on par. This seems right to me.

The difference between Strava and Garmin Connect is that Strava is hardware-agnostic, but Connect doesn't really make sense without Garmin hardware. I would guess that 0 people who don't own a Garmin use Connect, even though Connect is free. So to me it makes sense for Garmin to treat activities generated by its own hardware as first-class citizens, and to shove manual activities in the corner.

Having said that, I can see why you'd want to add manual activities, to track of stuff you did while you weren't wearing your watch. (Personally I don't track every single thing I do, but for the stuff I do track, I use my watch rather than adding manual activities.)

trux said:

I see absolutely no purpose in creating a manual activity, since it has no impact on any metrics anyway.

It's probably for the same reason that ppl will track stuff manually in the first place, if they don't have a fitness tracker and they don't use their phone to track stuff - just to have a record of what they did.

Maybe OP doesn't wear their watch everywhere, or maybe sometimes they just didn't have a chance to start an activity.

I actually find it pretty annoying (yet understandable) that to make the best use of a Garmin (or any other fitness tracker), you pretty much have to wear it all the time.

I recommend suggesting it to Garmin at Share Ideas | Garmin 

I'll use that form, thanks.

why do you actually need to add activities manually?

Many activities pose a real risk to the watch. I'm a rock climber, but just check the list of activities in your Garmin app for more examples.

FlowState said:

It's probably for the same reason that ppl will track stuff manually in the first place, if they don't have a fitness tracker and they don't use their phone to track stuff - just to have a record of what they did.

Pretty much.