Connect IQ App Development Discussion - Recent Threads

Feature Request: MCP Integration to Enable Claude AI Access to Garmin Connect Data: To the Garmin Product and Developer Teams,

5120468 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:32:08 GMT

I am a long-term Garmin user (Fenix 6X Sapphire) and a scientist by profession. I am writing to formally request that Garmin consider implementing a Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration with Anthropic's Claude AI platform.

MCP is the open standard Anthropic uses to connect Claude to third-party data sources and applications. Several major platforms — including Google Drive, Gmail, and Microsoft 365 — have already implemented MCP connectors, enabling Claude to access and analyze user data in a secure, permissioned environment.

The case for a Garmin MCP integration is straightforward: Garmin Connect already collects one of the richest longitudinal physiological datasets available to consumers — Body Battery, HRV, sleep architecture, pulse ox, training load, stress scores, and activity history. What the platform currently lacks is deep interpretive analysis. Claude could provide exactly that: pattern recognition across multiple simultaneous data streams, plain-language explanation of trends, anomaly flagging, and contextual insights that go well beyond what dashboards alone can communicate.

This would be genuinely useful to a broad segment of your user base — endurance athletes, people managing chronic health conditions, and anyone engaged in serious long-term self-monitoring. It would also differentiate Garmin's ecosystem in a meaningful way, complementing rather than competing with Connect+.

Implementation would not require exposing raw data without consent. Standard OAuth permissioning, scoped API access, and user-controlled data sharing are all established patterns that other MCP integrations already follow.

I recognize this is a non-trivial development investment. I raise it because I believe it represents a genuinely high-value use case, and because user feedback is presumably one input into your roadmap prioritization.

Thank you for considering this request.

RE: Feature Request: MCP Integration to Enable Claude AI Access to Garmin Connect Data: To the Garmin Product and Developer Teams,

6694482 — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:55:34 GMT

I know it's not direct, but you could use a tool like freddy.coach and it's free tier to do the daily analysis.

Development 101 - help me (an idiot) with a guide

larkim — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:54:06 GMT

I've developed a single datafield which was inspired by the way my son (a young man with learning disabilities) uses his Garmin watch, and would like to fully test it with him. I know I can send the file directly via MTP.

But I was looking for a more rounded approach.

Can I just ask a few really simple and dumb questions so I don't waste time here?

1 - My Garmin development email address is different to the Garmin user account I have. How do I manage to install beta apps that i've sent to the "store" on my "day to day" watch if they have different user credentials?

2 - Is there a way to have a beta datafield associated with a whitelist of user accounts so them, and only them, can see the datafield on the store and be able to install it?

3 - Is there a way to upload the datafield "privately" to the store, bypass the approval processes etc so it happens quickly because it is "private" and not for general consumption etc?

I’m developing a Connect IQ app that maps songs listened to during a workout against the user’s heart rate. Is there a supported way for users to drag and drop personal MP3 files onto their watch over USB and have a third-party audio provider play those fi

Ownagecat — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:21:13 GMT

The subject is sufficient but I had an additional question as well, can a Connect IQ app read the current song and playback position from Garmin’s built-in My Music player? If I can, how can I do this so that I can instead make the app a data field a user can easily add to their workouts.

In Review Delay: Multiple Watch Faces Pending Approval, some for 7 days already

6859118 — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:09:44 GMT

Hi Connect IQ Support Team,

I recently submitted several new watch faces for review. Typically, my submissions are approved within 1–2 business days. However, several of them have now been pending for up to 7 days.

I sent an email to the support team on Friday but haven't heard back yet, so I wanted to follow up.

Here are the affected watch faces:

Swell – Bold Time & Data Shape (pending for 7 days):

https://apps.garmin.com/apps/34e7369c-9fd1-480c-951e-39863c0bbd22
https://apps.garmin.com/apps/6f2d1e25-2c08-45c0-96c0-7c976028727f
https://apps.garmin.com/apps/cdbfcb6c-c883-4b44-a345-431cccff2f6f
https://apps.garmin.com/apps/a09e750b-ed60-453a-9ee3-7a2f7a153098

If there are any compliance, metadata, or technical issues that need adjusting, please let me know so I can resolve them right away.

Thank you for your time and assistance!

Best regards

RE: In Review Delay: Multiple Watch Faces Pending Approval, some for 7 days already

6859118 — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 07:51:07 GMT

On Android alone the IQ connect app has been installed over 10 million times. It would be absolutely insane if Garmin decided to just put less than a handful of staff in charge of this.

I've launched a watchface for free during the launch phase and changed it to a paid watchface again. Now a bunch of people keep asking me when to buy it, but it's on Pending as well for a week now. This is costing me money because I lose traction. I really hope the IQ connect team can sort this out quickly.

RE: In Review Delay: Multiple Watch Faces Pending Approval, some for 7 days already

trudelta — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:57:01 GMT

Seems like the person responsible is on vacation.

RE: Feature Request: MCP Integration to Enable Claude AI Access to Garmin Connect Data: To the Garmin Product and Developer Teams,

9170633 — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:46:04 GMT

Thanks. That is helpful. Then ask yourself why you want to be both helpful and passive aggressive at the same time for no valid reason.

Incidentally, I did ask "my AI" and it landed me on this thread (I assure you I didn't find it browsing forums). I thought I was responding to OP.

But thanks for the helpful link and information, if not the delivery. My apologies if its the wrong place and caused you discomfort to read (see that's not constructive is it?). I will post there as I believe this would be a helpful addition. My only intent was to add a voice in support of OP requesting an official MCP so Claude can connect fully to Garmin account like Strava does.

RE: Feature Request: MCP Integration to Enable Claude AI Access to Garmin Connect Data: To the Garmin Product and Developer Teams,

jim_m_58 — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:31:38 GMT

Ask your AI what Connect IQ is. Then ask yourself why you are posting in a Connect IQ forum. It's the wrong place and those who can do anything won't see it here

You should be contacting over all Garmin and submit the idea:

https://www.garmin.com/en-ZA/forms/ideas/

You could also try posting in the Garmin Connect (not Connect IQ) forum:

Garmin Connect Web

RE: Feature Request: MCP Integration to Enable Claude AI Access to Garmin Connect Data: To the Garmin Product and Developer Teams,

9170633 — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:27:37 GMT

I am a long-term Garmin user with a plethora of Garmin products and... yes, PLEASE get this implemented soon! I really need Claude to be able to connect to Garmin.

Right now I have Claude connected to Strava (which it does seamlessly) and strava is connected to and gets data from Garmin, and I use it DAILY to review and analyze my workouts, especially the rides (triathlete)! I simply cannot describe how useful it is. From full training plans to individual daily breakdown of each ride, run, or workout, including speed work, recovery, long zone 2 ride/run, etc.

However, I really would like all of Garmin's data (not just the workouts) available to Claude as a connector for a more comprehensive plan/analysis/training. Right now as a work-around, I request a full data export (which I get emailed to me about 2 business days later) and that I can dump into Claude and then have it do detailed review and checking of my diet, weight, training, recovery, hr, rhr, hrv, etc.when it rewrites/updates my training plan. but it takes time (at least 2 days) and the immediate data is old by then.

Please get this implemented and have it work seamlessly like it does for Strava. I would gladly pay quadruple Connect+ subscription (probably more) for JUST this connection ability... it really is that useful and that helpful. Even connected to Strava (which has only a fraction of all my Garmin data), the amount of information and data I can quickly pull from it just by asking questions is amazing.

Question withdrawn

Riccardo Hägg — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:32:54 GMT

Question withdrawn

Earning money on Connect IQ is easy. Actually getting paid is not.

li2niu — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:38:04 GMT

Hey fellow devs.

Before you drop $99 on a Garmin Connect IQ developer account, you might want to hear about the absolute payout nightmare I’ve been stuck in for the past year.

I wrote the code, published the app, and users actually bought it. But when it came time to withdraw my earnings, Garmin hit me with an absolute joke of a situation. Long story short: Their payment system has a bug, and their official solution is to tell developers to go open a new bank account.

1. The Misleading Adyen Setup

Here is the background: We are a UK-registered company, and we linked a UK bank account via Wise to receive payouts.

In Garmin’s Adyen payment portal, the system clearly states that our account can receive payouts in GBP. Based on this official prompt, we completed all our configuration.

As I pointed out in my feedback email to them:

"On the Adyen 'Add a bank account for payouts' page, when I enter our UK sort code and account number, Adyen explicitly shows the message: 'Payouts to this account can be done in GBP.' We followed the platform guidance..."

The reality? Garmin’s system forcibly attempts to send USD to our GBP account behind the scenes. Naturally, every single transfer gets ruthlessly rejected by the bank due to a "currency mismatch."

2. A Six-Month Loop of Failed Transfers

Since September 2025, we’ve been stuck in an endless loop: Garmin initiates transfer -> Bank rejects it -> Funds bounce back to Adyen. The hard-earned money just sits there, visible but untouchable.

The funniest part is how Garmin Support handles this. Knowing full well there’s a currency conflict, they tried a manual transfer in March, openly admitting in their email that it probably wouldn't work:

From Garmin Support (March 3, 2026):

"We attempted to transfer all your funds today via manual transfer... It is likely that the manual transfers made today will fail due to the currency mismatch between your Adyen accounts and your account with Wise, but if this works, it will be a straight-forward solution."

Relying on pure luck? Shocker: the April email confirmed the money bounced right back again.

3. The "Genius" Solution: Go open a new bank account

Faced with this obvious configuration error on their end (the portal says GBP is fine, but they force USD), Garmin didn't try to fix the Adyen routing. They didn't help us change the default currency setting.

Instead, they offered an incredibly arrogant final solution: They passed the buck to us.

From Garmin Support (March 16 / April 1):

"At this point, we still have two main options:

You tell us when your local USD account becomes available on Wise and we transfer the funds there...

You open a new bank account that will accept USD transfers."

It’s like going to a restaurant, finding out their card reader is broken, and the owner telling you to go to the bank and issue a new credit card that their broken machine might read.

For a small indie dev team, going through the massive hassle and strict AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance checks to open a traditional USD bank account in the UK just to receive our platform revenue is completely absurd.

4. Is this how a multinational tech giant operates?

We paid the $99 entry fee, only to find out that while the UK is a "supported region," they can't even process payouts in the local fiat currency. Instead of fixing their flawed system, they demand the developer adapt to their rigid, broken configuration.

I’ve made my bottom line clear to them:

We cannot and will not open a local USD bank account just to bypass their bug.
Since the Adyen portal explicitly says GBP payouts are supported, they need to pay us in GBP.

Is shifting the responsibility to the user really Garmin's standard way of doing things?

I’m posting this partly to document this ridiculous experience, but mostly as a warning to other indie devs: Earning money on Connect IQ isn't the hard part. The hard part is getting the money into your own pocket.

Has anyone else run into this payout dead-end? How did you finally get your money out? Let me know below.

RE: Earning money on Connect IQ is easy. Actually getting paid is not.

7084242 — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:12:34 GMT

good post!

Current device definitions can't be run using SDK older than 9.2

InigoTolosa — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:43:58 GMT

Due to the BLE issues introduced with SDK 9.2, which have not yet been fixed, I have been using SDK 9.1 for simulation.

This workaround stopped working after some device definitions were updated. Since then, the simulator has shown the following error message:

The currently running app requires a newer SDK to run. Please select a newer SDK in the Connect IQ SDK Manager.

I initially worked around this by restoring older device definitions. However, I have now found that the error is only triggered when dc.clearClip() is called.

Replacing it with:

dc.setClip(0, 0, dc.getWidth(), dc.getHeight());

makes it possible to simulate apps built with SDK 9.1 while using the current device definitions.

So far, I have not found any other method that causes the same issue.

I hope this helps anyone else in the same situation.

RE: enableSensorType returns false on FR265

8432428 — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:45:17 GMT

That makes sense. If the call is asynchronous, checking the LEDs or the actual sensor data seems like a better way to confirm whether it was enabled. I’d be interested to know if the behavior is the same on the FR265 simulator or only on the physical watch. word games online

enableSensorType returns false on FR265

scotts — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:27:36 GMT

Hi,

Toybox.Sensor.enableSensorType(Toybox.Sensor.SENSOR_HEARTRATE)
Toybox.Sensor.enableSensorType(Toybox.Sensor.SENSOR_ONBOARD_HEARTRATE)

return false on FR265 (true in Simulator).

Is this expected behaviour / because the HRM is already enabled?

Thank you.

Font options beyond default selection

OoOLabs — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:52:35 GMT

Hi all,

Hope you're having a good day!

Checking in, what is your approach for using other fonts than what is provided? I would like to use different fonts to create different styles on my watch faces, however I do not want to break any copyright laws etc..

Which fonts do you use that are safe to have in a published app? Are open-license fonts (e.g. Google Fonts) generally fine, and/or is there anything to watch out for, e.g., any key requirements?

Thank you a lot and best regards!

RE: Font options beyond default selection

OoOLabs — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:47:04 GMT

Thank you very much Jim!

RE: Garmin Connect - Activity Custom Text Field

dustinsterk — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:13:18 GMT

Just circling back to confirm, this did indeed solve my request and it is now working and displaying properly in the Garmin Connect mobile app. Thank you again!

Garmin Connect - Activity Custom Text Field

dustinsterk — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:50:18 GMT

Hello,

I am the developer for HotLap a motorsport lap timer (https://apps.garmin.com/apps/bdfa2a50-dca4-4dac-b312-4aa601f18df2). I am humbly requesting a Garmin Connect Activity free text field that an application can store information from the app/user facing data points in each activity. My use case today, my app records and calculates maximum G force, theoretical lap times, fastest lap, etc. All of this is stored in the .fit file but is not displayed in a Garmin Connect Activity within the mobile/web apps. I have had numerous requests from users wanting to see this information, but the only solution I currently have is VERY clunky - download your .fit from the Garmin Connect site, convert it with my custom python script and then open it in your choice of .vbo / text editor.

Please consider this request.

Thank you!

RE: Garmin Connect - Activity Custom Text Field

dustinsterk — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:29:46 GMT

Amazing, I think this will solve my problem, thank you very much!!!

RE: Garmin Connect - Activity Custom Text Field

jim_m_58 — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:27:23 GMT

See https://developer.garmin.com/connect-iq/core-topics/activity-recording/

RE: Garmin Connect - Activity Custom Text Field

dustinsterk — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:12:30 GMT

It is in the appstore, but I am unaware of any fitbontrib/xml. Is there documentation on this?

RE: Garmin Connect - Activity Custom Text Field

jim_m_58 — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:59:16 GMT

For fitcontrib data to show, the app must be installed from the app store and not a sideload.

There is also the xml file that defines how that data is displayed.

Does startUserReview() work?

crispgarmin — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:23:34 GMT

Hi,

I implemented startUserReview() when a user has spent some time and completed a reasonable level of interaction with the app and was expecting an uptick in reviews… but don’t see any.

I tested myself and see the on-watch “stars” review screen pop-up OK and then a bit of confusion when asked if I want to enter a comment: this invokes an additional on-phone CIQ connection page which I cancelled (not allowed to review our own solutions; it’s in the T’s and Cs)… so if someone complete a “stars” review, indicates to add more info but cancels that stage, should the “stars” review still be submitted without comment?

I see nothing coming through in the reviews.

So I added an info log to a release and I see that I have 10+ people per day responding to a confirmation prompt to review which will show the startUserReview() but still nothing added to my review tallies for days and days now.

So does startUserReview() really work beyond showing the “stars” UI? I appreciate there was a several-hour timeout on CIQ yesterday but the observed pattern/question stands.