Fenix 5 + Google Pixel Android 7.1.2.

Just a quick heads up for any F5 owners who use a Google Pixel or are on the latest version of Android (7.1.2).

I received an OTA update on my phone the day before my F5 got the 2.9 firmware and experienced Bluetooth connection problems between the two soon after. The phone and F5 would connect OK initially, but after being apart for a few minutes would not reconnect. I figured out that cycling Bluetooth off and on on the Pixel would restore the connection and thought this pointed to a change/bug in the Bluetooth stack on the Pixel causing the issue.

I downgraded my phone to Android 7.1.1. last night by flashing a factory image firmware and lo and behold, the connection problems are gone and the F5 and Pixel are happily reconnecting again.

So don't take the 7.1.2 update if you want to keep your phone and watch connected! Hopefully this will get fixed in a future firmware release.

0 espenfjo over 8 years ago

My connection on 7.1.2 is very unstable. It disconnects quite often but it comes back. Often I just have to start the Connect app and "refresh" the Devices screen a couple of times. Most often it connects rather quickly, other times it takes a couple of minutes for it to re-connect.

0 chrisluig over 8 years ago

Hi,
I'm using exactly the same setup as you do...

However, what solved my BT connection issues perfectly was this:
http://support.garmin.com/faqSearch/en-US/faq/content/sNNUMnjsUn1k0TZwrJ43C9

Connecting the Fenix with the Android BT System really makes a major difference. I wonder why this is not used as a default pairing mode...

Ciao
Chris

0 milesgilmour over 8 years ago

Chris, thanks for this - I'll give it a go. I did wonder at why the F5 wasn't showing as a paired device.

Does this approach mean you can use the F5 as a "trusted device" and disable the unlock screen when it's connected as well?

0 chrisluig over 8 years ago

Yes, exactly

- it will pair "officially" with your Pixel
- you will thus be able to use Fenix as a trusted device
- you prevent the strange behavior of losing connections that are (IMO) triggered by the power management found in newer Android versions

For me, this really makes a huge positive difference and is absolutely reliable now.

Ciao

Chris

0 milesgilmour over 8 years ago

Answered my own question - Yes, you can now use an F5 as a trusted device...

Hooray! :cool:

0 chrisluig over 8 years ago

Ok, we were posting in parallel ;-).

Nice to hear that it works. Should be the default pairing option for newer phones in my opinion!

0 a_kuehne over 8 years ago

Does this impact battery life on the phone in any way?

0 chrisluig over 8 years ago

Using this for a week now... I can't feel any difference.

0 chimpware over 8 years ago

Hi,
I'm using exactly the same setup as you do...

However, what solved my BT connection issues perfectly was this:
http://support.garmin.com/faqSearch/en-US/faq/content/sNNUMnjsUn1k0TZwrJ43C9

Connecting the Fenix with the Android BT System really makes a major difference. I wonder why this is not used as a default pairing mode...

Ciao
Chris

Had no idea about this. Thanks for posting, going to set my watch and phone up this way immediately.

EDIT: Spoke too fast, on Galaxy S7 Edge running Android 7.0 and GC version 3.16.1 there is no option for Update Connection, just Remove and Cancel. Oh well.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

I am also on Google Pixel Android 7.1.2.

What also helped me was taking bluetooth and GC app off "battery optimization"

This did not appear to affect my phones battery life, and now my watch no longer disconnects unless I walk away from my phone.