Approach S44 - Recent Threads

Approach S44 System Software Version - 9.15

Garmin-Jim — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:29:40 GMT

Hello Approach S44 Users,

Today we began rolling out system software version 9.15. We are currently at 20% and will increase the percentage as time passes.

Change Log

Fixed issue where custom targets could be saved while far away from the hole the device is showing.
Fixed possible crash when saving an activity.
Fixed possible issue the hazards and layups page could show points with large distances.
Fixed possible issue where weather data could not be received after connecting to a phone.
Updated translations.

Approach S44 System Software Version - 9.08

Garmin-Jim — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:02:46 GMT

Hello Approach S44 Users,

We are now at 100% live for system software version 9.08.

Change Log

Fixed possible crash on the club scan prompt when using Approach CT1 tags.
Fixed possible freeze when starting a golf round if the course has no tee boxes.

Connect IQ indicates that Approach S44 is not compatible

Hansel — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:07:57 GMT

Hello, recently I bought an Approach S44 and when I try to use Connect IQ to add Watch Faces, the app indicates that S44 is not compatible. I read in another post that the S44 is compatible with the app. How can I solve it?

RE: Connect IQ indicates that Approach S44 is not compatible

6583756 — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 22:18:50 GMT

So does this mean I can not get Spotify in my s44 approach?

RE: Connect IQ indicates that Approach S44 is not compatible

Christian_ODQA — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:15:07 GMT

If you recently purchased within the last 30 days from us at garmin.com, you could return it to get your money back and purchase a device that is compatible with the Garmin Connect IQ Store. The closest one to the S44 would be the Approach S50. They are the same size of watch, the S50 does have a heart rate monitor and can be used for more fitness activites. The link below this message will bring you to the S50's page.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1604377/pn/010-03010-00/

RE: Connect IQ indicates that Approach S44 is not compatible

Hansel — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:08:25 GMT

So it's a closed device. Bad thing if you consider the cost of it. It makes me question the purchase.

RE: Connect IQ indicates that Approach S44 is not compatible

Christian_ODQA — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:42:45 GMT

You are unable to add anything from Garmin Connect IQ Store to the Approach S44 unfortunately.

RE: Connect IQ indicates that Approach S44 is not compatible

Hansel — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:57:14 GMT

So, how can I add anything to the watch? Or you are saying that is a closed device and I can't add anything???

RE: Connect IQ indicates that Approach S44 is not compatible

Christian_ODQA — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:12:38 GMT

That is correct, that the S44 is not compatible with the Connect IQ app. If you follow the below link it will bring you to the Approach S44's page. From here if select Specs and then you search Connect IQ there will be no option showing up, indicating the watch does not have the compatibility unfortunately.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1604358/pn/010-03009-00/#specs

RE: Connect IQ states my s44 is not compatible

Hansel — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:59:49 GMT

Hi, Connect IQ shows the S44 as an incompatible device, so I can't add anything to my watch. How Connect IQ can recognize it??

Connect IQ states my s44 is not compatible

Gurmitsan — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:05:39 GMT

I am trying to download watch faces for the S44. It has paired with my android phone. But the app states the watch is not compatible.

Stuck on old version

TerrapinM — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:59:02 GMT

My S44 watch (and Garmin Express) both report software version 6.59. The watch is not seeing any version beyond that. I see that there were at least 3 versions released since then and the latest looks like 9.05. Why does my watch not see them?

RE: Stuck on old version

TerrapinM — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:15:47 GMT

Removing and add it to Express did the trick and I'm not on 9.05. Thanks for the help!

RE: Stuck on old version

Garmin - AL — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:39:59 GMT

Let's try removing the device from Garmin Express, then re adding it to see if the update get's pushed through: Remove and Add a Device in Garmin Express

RE: Connect IQ states my s44 is not compatible

Garmin - DK — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:40:24 GMT

While the S44 is Connect IQ compatible, not all watch faces will be available for it. On each watch face page in the Connect IQ app, scroll down to Compatible Devices to see those which are compatible with that watch face. Looking at the Train Station watch faces by DmClockFaces and LopesHinz, neither is compatible with the Approach S44.

RE: Connect IQ states my s44 is not compatible

Gurmitsan — Wed, 27 May 2026 09:57:37 GMT

Hi, I'm looking for something clean like Train Station. It may not be compatible with the S44. I'm told as it's mainly a golf watch there aren't any add on watch faces available.

RE: Connect IQ states my s44 is not compatible

Garmin - MR — Wed, 27 May 2026 02:06:19 GMT

Gurmitsan The Approach S44 is compatible with Connect IQ. Is there a particular watch face you're trying to get added to your watch? If so, which watch face?

Approach S44 System Software Version 9.05 100% released

Garmin-Brooks — Wed, 20 May 2026 15:27:33 GMT

Hello S44 users,

We have begun the release of software version 9.05. This is currently live to all users.

Changes since version 9.04

Fixed issue when using premium mapping where green contour elevation lines would not appear correctly on some courses.

Approach S44 System Software Version - 9.04

Garmin-Jim — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:30:36 GMT

Hello Approach S44 users,

We are now 100% live with System Software version 9.04.

Changes Log:

Fixed issue where the scoring flow would not come up after leaving the green on the last hole.
Fixed possible issue where a companion rangefinder measurement arc would not appear.
Fixed issue where some buttons would not appear in the music controls glance.

Punch shots, tree shots, etc.

8266665 — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:04:27 GMT

I'm trying to zero in on my true distances for each club. When I use for example a hybrid to punch out from the trees and it only travels half the normal distance, does the watch include that distance in with the AVG and MAX distances in the App? Same with shots where you shank the shot or it hits a tree and only travels a third of the normal distance. Would it make sense to create a club called "punch out" or something similar so that the shot is not calculated in your averages?

RE: Punch shots, tree shots, etc.

3004926 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 06:32:55 GMT

I don’t understand why garmin does not include an « exclude from stats » option for each shot in the golf app… A much cheaper manufacturer has a « positional » option to do so in post round edition…

the only workaround I found was to create a « junk » club in my golf bag to record such situations. A nonsense given the price of garmin watches

RE: Punch shots, tree shots, etc.

Maaser49 — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:03:55 GMT

I have a 1i saved in my bag for this exact reason.

Approach S44 System Software Version 8.04 ~ 100%

Garmin-Brooks — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:47:36 GMT

Hello, we've released system software version 8.04. This should be available to download for all users.

Change log:

Fixed issue toggling PlaysLike mode on the hazards and layups screen on S50.
Fixed possible issue with PlaysLike distance received from a companion rangefinder.
Fixed possible issue changing volume in the music app.
Fixed issue where hole and par information could be incorrect for courses that had a single-course update downloaded.

Approach S44 System Software 7.16

Garmin-Brooks — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:07:02 GMT

Hello Approach S44 users,

We have began the rollout of software version 7.16. This is currently available to all users.

Change Log

Fixed possible issue with activity data handling.

Approach S44 System Software 7.15

Garmin-Jim — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:58:21 GMT

Hello Approach S44 users,

We have began the rollout of software version 7.15. This is currently available to all users.

Change Log

Fixed possible issue where the device may not vibrate to remind the user to enter their score.
Fixed issue where the previous shots list would always show distances in meters.
Fixed possible issue where the device could crash on startup. (FQC-67473)
Increased the number of golf courses that can be shown in the course list.
Updated the Round Summary screen to match the Approach S70 style.
Updated translations.