Third-Party App Ideas - Recent Threads

RE: Recovery with Decimal + Date (glance/widget app idea)

flocsy🤠 — Sat, 09 May 2026 08:34:14 GMT

No, the only way you can share data between 2 apps is via a web service

Recovery with Decimal + Date (glance/widget app idea)

RinseRepeat — Fri, 08 May 2026 13:35:18 GMT

one of my biggest peeves with Garmin is they round many things to stupid whole numbers even though internally they track to fine detail

vo2max, recovery time, etc. (remember when Strava finally added decimals and made their site 100x more functional?)

an experienced developer can probably whip this up in a weekend (maybe even share the code to teach others?)

but if no-one does I might eventually try to do it myself as a first app someday this summer to learn

assuming it's technically possible in the first place

previously the CIQ API only made recovery time available in whole integer hours

but I noticed the API for newest devices ie. Fenix7 and newer seem to have additional info with Recovery time in minutes?

If that is correct and accessible, I'd like to see a replacement for Garmin's useless Recovery time widget/glance

adding decimal point and the target date+time

something like this visual mockup?

don't even bother showing minutes or days, just state everything in hours with single decimal 0.1 - 0.9

possible with newest API?

NOT via timeToRecovery

but rather Toybox.Complications API 4.2.0

https://developer.garmin.com/connect-iq/api-docs/Toybox/Complications.html

COMPLICATION_TYPE_RECOVERY_TIME

API Level 4.2.0

Value is a Number of minutes remaining in your recovery time

AI Coach for Real-Time Adaptive Training Plans

7796462 — Sat, 09 May 2026 07:22:27 GMT

Hi everyone,

I have built a website CoachX.run because I’m tired of "static" training plans.

We’ve all been there: you miss a session, and Garmin Coach just ignores it. The built-in workouts can feel repetitive, and manually creating complex workouts in the app is a total pain. Without a pre-set workout, you’re stuck constantly checking your watch, trying to remember your intervals and current progress.

CoachX changes that. The goal is to create and modify your training plans through real-time conversation. It’s designed to be:

Flexible: If you miss a day or feel off, the plan adapts instantly.
Diverse: No more cookie-cutter workouts.
Seamless: It acts like a real coach, so you don't have to spend time manually building workouts or memorizing reps.

Would this solve a pain point for you? I'd love to hear how you currently handle missed sessions or "boring" plans!

RE: Recovery with Decimal + Date (glance/widget app idea)

RinseRepeat — Fri, 08 May 2026 18:22:01 GMT

adding: apparently watch faces can have companion apps that can access Complications

apps.garmin.com/.../da48442e-184c-49ba-9a6b-9d4a9d1ed60b

forums.garmin.com/.../widget-universal-widget-universal-widget-light

RE: Recovery with Decimal + Date (glance/widget app idea)

RinseRepeat — Fri, 08 May 2026 18:06:04 GMT

gosh Garmin keeps shooting themselves in the foot

other watches are just going to race by in app development, Garmin API is so outdated

So instead

could watch faces write that data to memory or storage where another app could access it?

Basically a companion app to a watch face

Unless watch faces can have other "pages" accessible, but I've never seen that done

RE: Recovery with Decimal + Date (glance/widget app idea)

flocsy🤠 — Fri, 08 May 2026 15:20:18 GMT

According to the docs only watch faces can subscribe to complications

RE: Recovery with Decimal + Date (glance/widget app idea)

RinseRepeat — Fri, 08 May 2026 15:10:32 GMT

ah okay there is good logic to HH:MM, I was thinking old-school

but what are the new API "Complications" with recovery in minutes ?

can that data be captured by an app/glance?

RE: Recovery with Decimal + Date (glance/widget app idea)

flocsy🤠 — Fri, 08 May 2026 14:54:09 GMT

If you manage to do it, I think it would make more sense to display it in HH:MM format instead of decimal hours.

Unfortunately the SDK only gives full hours, and not even from "now", but since the last activity (which is not very useful, and also a bit odd, considering that it can be delayed by not enough sleep) https://developer.garmin.com/connect-iq/api-docs/Toybox/ActivityMonitor/Info.html#timeToRecovery-var

RE: Datafield pace for edge 530

AndiPl — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:00:05 GMT

Thanks a lot. Was not considered

Andreas

Datafield pace for edge 530

AndiPl — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:35:17 GMT

Dear All,

I would like to have a data field pace [min/km] for my edge 530. Could someone support me?

Greetings and thanks

Andreas

RE: Datafield pace for edge 530

flocsy🤠 — Mon, 04 May 2026 17:41:49 GMT

I wanted to create it for you, but all you need is to search for pace in the store, it already exists

RE: About elapsed time and temperature date field

flocsy🤠 — Mon, 04 May 2026 17:34:29 GMT

Now that you understand the complexity you can contact me in private message with an offer.

About elapsed time and temperature date field

3792573 — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:06:18 GMT

Hi everyone

I want a date field for the Garmin Edge 540 bike computer that displays elapsed time and temperature in the same column. They should be centered on two lines, with the temperature on top and the elapsed time below, and the font of the elapsed time should be slightly larger than the temperature.

I spent a long time writing it myself, but I didn't succeed.

Who cam help me,3Q.

Thanks for reading, Have a great day.

App Idea Game/Pokémon

Former Member — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 13:05:18 GMT

Hi everyone

During a training I got an idea. Do you know the Pokéwalker, it was a little gadget given when you buying a NDS game HG or SS.

It was simply to use, that was counted the steps you make with the PW (PokéWalker) and with and you could "use" your step to make some activity, like catch pokémons, fight pokémon or find objects. and you were walking with one of your pokémons. For more information about it, I advise you to search on the web because I don't know how to explain (sorry about it).

Then, my idea was to make that work like a widget on a Garmin watch, but like we know, it was work with a NDS game, so I think we could have a random weak pokemon at the beginning and, use other pokemon if we want after catching other pokemon. And I why not make this app with only one pokemon generation at the beginning (not necessarily the first gen).

Thanks for reading, and if you have question tell me in comment or message me. Have a great day.

RE: App Idea Game/Pokémon

Bitochi — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:02:43 GMT

Try out the: apps-developer.garmin.com/.../d61de4c6-10c7-417b-a326-2bf2c1d1b95c

I created a new app that will start an activity at a preset zone when HR reaches a certain treshold but I'd like to have a background aspect to it which would allow launching the main app when reaching a zone...

Enfedaque — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:28:44 GMT

The app is called 'Ready'

The SDK doesn't provide ability to use GPS in background and I was wondering if Garmin was planning to give some rough location estimate maybe based on cell phone location that could be queried in the background process.

Indoor Rowing Data Fields Idea – Estimated Distance, Split Pace & Distance per Stroke (Fenix 8 Solar 47mm)

Felipe Dalton — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:07:40 GMT

Hello Connect IQ Developers!

I’d like to propose an idea for an indoor rowing data fields:

Objective:

Provide more meaningful rowing metrics when training without a smart rower, relying only on watch sensors.

1. Estimated Distance (Calories-Based Model):

Even without connected equipment, watches already calculate calories and effort metrics. This means distance could be estimated using a physiological relationship:

D = ((C − 300) / 9.6367)^(1/3) × T

Where:

D = Estimated distance
C = Calories per hour
T = Elapsed workout time

This concept is similar to how rowing machines derive pace from power and would require:

Calories burned
Elapsed time

2. Estimated Split Pace (500m):

Using the estimated distance, split pace could also be derived:

Split Pace (500m) = Elapsed Time / (Estimated Distance / 500)

This would allow users to see a familiar rowing metric even without a connected rower (maybe even use it with the virtual pacer?).

3. Estimated Distance per Stroke:

If stroke count or stroke rate is accessible:

Distance per Stroke = Estimated Distance / Stroke Count or alternatively;
Distance per Stroke = Speed / Stroke Rate

Is stroke detection or stroke metrics accessible enough from a Connect IQ data field, or would this require a full Connect IQ app?

I’d love to hear thoughts from experienced Connect IQ developers.

Thanks.

RE: Indoor Rowing Data Fields Idea – Estimated Distance, Split Pace & Distance per Stroke (Fenix 8 Solar 47mm)

trudelta — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:27:28 GMT

You can find data fields for (1) and (2) now in the Connect IQ app

RE: Indoor Rowing Data Fields Idea – Estimated Distance, Split Pace & Distance per Stroke (Fenix 8 Solar 47mm)

trudelta — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:29:08 GMT

I'm having trouble understanding your derivation of the formula for estimated split pace. Are you not trying to get the pace of the current (in progress) 500m segment? Your formula doesn't seem to calculate that.

RE: [Appbuilder project] Training label data field

drkglb — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 16:51:25 GMT

Yes, could be. Could also be not going hard enough on the reps, or warming up / cooling down at a higher HR than expected.

[Appbuilder project] Training label data field

drkglb — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:03:07 GMT

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working on a personal project based on Garmin / Firstbeat workout labels and training load logic.
I'm not what you could call a developer, my skills in coding are very limited so I rely on AppBuilder, a customizable data field from Flowstate (all credits to him !) which collects and processes data from the sensors (HR, GPS mostly).

The idea is to build an AppBuilder data field that can estimate, in real time during a run, the likely training classification of the session — for example:

Recovery / Base
Tempo
Threshold
VO2max
Anaerobic Capacity
Sprints

The current test version does not try to perfectly reproduce Garmin yet. It is an experimental field intended to compare, during and after an activity, the live estimates from the data field with the final Garmin classification and Traning load distribution. I hope it will help me understand how training assesment works - and maybe make my training more efficient !

My approach is based on information from the following Firstbeat patent, especially the parts related to:

cumulative time in intensity zones
%LTHR
%AnT speed
modified intensity
aerobic vs anaerobic training effect logic

patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/.../US20230414143A1.pdf

I am now looking for a few interested users who would be willing to test the data field and compare its output with Garmin’s final results after activities.

The most useful test sessions would probably be things like :

easy endurance runs
tempo or threshold runs
long intervals
short intervals / 30-30 / 200 m reps
sprint sessions

What would help most is feedback such as:

Garmin’s final workout label
Aerobic / Anaerobic Training Effect
load distribution (Low / High / Anaerobic)
screenshots or observations from the data field during the activity

This is still an early test version, so I fully expect the model to need refinement. The idea is simply to improve it step by step with real-world comparisons.

If anyone is interested in testing it or discussing the logic behind Garmin / Firstbeat workout classification, the code to copy/paste (after update with your personal values for LTHR, LT pace (converted to speed) is in the post below.
PLEASE NOTE : I use a Fenix 8. I tried to optimize the code not to be too heavy on memory but if you want to give it a try, better check on a short run first if your device is capable of running the DF. It made my watch crash a few times when displaying the map screen. So I recommend not using maps or music if you are interested.

Thanks a lot !

RE: [Appbuilder project] Training label data field

trux — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 22:14:55 GMT

[quote userid="106835" url="~/developer/connect-iq/f/app-ideas/433771/appbuilder-project-training-label-data-field/2021692"]I always feel frustrated when I get "Tempo" after a hard 20x 30/30 intevals run[/quote]

The most common reason for that is an inaccurate Max HR in the User Profile. Wrong LTHR is another possibility.

RE: [Appbuilder project] Training label data field

drkglb — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 22:09:22 GMT

You are absolutely right. But I'm a bit of a nerd (if that was not obvious haha) and I always feel frustrated when I get "Tempo" after a hard 20x 30/30 intevals run 😃

RE: [Appbuilder project] Training label data field

flocsy🤠 — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:59:21 GMT

Just 1 thought: understanding the Garmin algorithms is one thing, you can then be more "efficient" in making those algorithms happy, which might or might not mean much about your physical improvement

RE: [Appbuilder project] Training label data field

drkglb — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:05:49 GMT

Here is the code. Update your personal LTHR & LT pace (converted to speed) in lines 16 & 17

setv(10,if(getv(10),getv(10),0))
setv(11,if(getv(11),getv(11),0))
setv(12,if(getv(12),getv(12),0))
setv(13,if(getv(13),getv(13),0))
setv(14,if(getv(14),getv(14),0))
setv(15,if(getv(15),getv(15),0))
setv(16,if(getv(16),getv(16),0))
setv(17,if(getv(17),getv(17),0))
setv(18,if(getv(18),getv(18),0))
setv(19,if(getv(19),getv(19),0))
setv(20,if(getv(20),getv(20),0))
setv(21,if(getv(21),getv(21),0))
setv(22,if(getv(22),getv(22),0))
setv(5,if(getv(5),getv(5),0))
setv(60,if(getv(60),getv(60),'Recovery'))
setv(91,168)
setv(92,13.09)
setv(1,if(HR gt 0,HR,getv(91)))
setv(2,if(Speed gt 0,Speed,0.1))
setv(3,getv(1)/getv(91))
setv(4,getv(2)/getv(92))
setv(5,if(getv(5),getv(5),getv(1)))
setv(6,getv(1)-getv(5))
setv(6,if(getv(6) gt 0,getv(6),0))
setv(5,getv(5)*0.8+getv(1)*0.2)
setv(7,getv(6)/15)
setv(7,if(getv(7) gt 0,getv(7),0))
setv(7,if(getv(7) lt 1,getv(7),1))
setv(8,((getv(3)*6)+(getv(4)*4))/10)
setv(9,getv(8)*(1+0.2*getv(7)))
setv(10,getv(10)+1)
setv(11,if(getv(3) lt 0.90 and getv(4) lt 0.95 and getv(9) lt 0.95,getv(11)+1,getv(11)))
setv(12,if(((getv(3) gte 0.90 and getv(3) lt 0.96) or (getv(4) gte 0.90 and getv(4) lt 0.96)) and getv(9) lt 1.00,getv(12)+1,getv(12)))
setv(13,if(((getv(3) gte 0.94 and getv(3) lte 1.02) or (getv(4) gte 0.94 and getv(4) lte 1.05)) and getv(9) lt 1.03,getv(13)+1,getv(13)))
setv(14,if(((getv(3) gte 1.00) or (getv(4) gte 1.02)) and getv(9) lte 1.15,getv(14)+1,getv(14)))
setv(22,if(getv(9) gt 1.00,getv(22)+1,getv(22)))
setv(20,if(getv(9) gt 1.15,getv(20)+1,getv(20)))
setv(21,if(getv(9) gt 1.40,getv(21)+1,getv(21)))
setv(16,getv(15))
setv(15,if(getv(7) gte 0.33,1,if(getv(7) lte 0.20,0,getv(15))))
setv(17,if(getv(15) gt getv(16),getv(17)+1,getv(17)))
setv(18,if(getv(15) eq 1,getv(18)+1,getv(18)))
setv(19,if(getv(17) gt 0,getv(18)/getv(17),0))
setv(60,
if(getv(21) gte 20 and getv(17) gte 3 and getv(19) lte 20,'Sprints',
if(getv(20) gte 60 and getv(17) gte 3,'Anaerobic',
if((getv(14) gte 480 or getv(14) gte getv(10)*0.15) and getv(20) lt 60,'VO2max',
if((getv(13) gte 600 or getv(13) gte getv(10)*0.15) and getv(20) lt 30,'Threshold',
if((getv(12) gte 900 or getv(12) gte getv(10)*0.20) and getv(22) lt getv(10)*0.10,'Tempo',
if(getv(10) lt 600,'No label',
if(getv(10) lt 2400,'Recovery',
if((getv(11) gte getv(10)*0.60) and getv(20) lt 10,'Base','Recovery')))))))))