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Discrepancies Between FIT Files from Garmin Connect and API (API Downgraded?)

pepe

Unfortunately, Garmin now applies extensive filtering to the files they serve via their API. This means the file retrieved through the API is not identical to:

  • The file you can manually download from Garmin Connect

What's being filtered?

 Garmin used to strip out workout steps from API-delivered files. However, based on recent observations, it appears Garmin have recently expanded extensively this filtering to include additional data elements—likely explaining the missing of several message numbers, session and lap fields we're now seeing.

  • This is really annoying. I found Garmin's VO2 Max indicator to 1 or 2 decimal places to be a relatively reliable indicator of fitness vs. other competitor versions. Now I can't see this at this level of granularity. Really reduces the value of garmin products over other competitor products. 

  • Count me as another user annoyed that Garmin is striping useful data out of the files.

  • Hi Garmin, I've been a Garmin user for many years and use third-party apps to analyze my training. Since recently, the FIT files shared with these apps no longer include metrics like VO2max, recovery time, training benefit, or lactate threshold, even though the original files still contain them. Please keep sharing my complete activity data with the apps I choose. It's my data. Thank you!

  • It is my device and my data, so please let me view it on whatever platform I wish. I consider the openness of the platform a selling point, and will therefore strongly be considering this point whenever I end up buying a new watch.

  • The reason I bought a Garmin was to automatically sync its well-tracked data with multiple apps. If this isn't possible anymore, what reason is there left to use a Garmin?
    I assume it's a bug, because manual syncing still works. Is this a new way of "improving" the customer experience—by forcing me to waste more of my own energy?

  • Hi Garmin, I also use third party apps to analyze my training.  As others have noted, recently the FIT files shared with these apps no longer include the metrics I care about even though the original files still contain them.  Please keep sharing my complete activity data; it is my data.  The open accessibility of this data was a selling point when I bought my first watch many years ago.  It's frustrating that Garmin has begun to implement such a change and this is something I consider when I am looking to buy a replacement watch.  Thanks!