Fenix 5 connectivity issues

Former Member
Former Member
Just upgraded from a Fitbit Surge to a Fenix 5 Friday. Initial set up and pairing goes fine (have done 5 times now trying to correct issue). However, within 30 minutes the Garmin Connect App and watch will no longer snych despite the fact the Bluetooth connection is still live and under the Bluetooth submenu of my phone it shows the device as connected. Device status / connectivity thing in the app shows gray instead of green and "Find my device" simply tells me the device cannot be found. The phone it is paired with is an iPhone 7 plus.

If anybody has any input on how to remedy this it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
  • That's the behavior I "observed" with the initial firmware on my F5 (got it 2 month ago) and my Android phone. Upgrading to latest FW made it a bit better (it doesn't happen every 30 min, but few times per day only). But, overall, I think it might be just related to BT connectivity/signal strength issues that is being discussed on this forum a lot. Have a look thorough following threads:

    https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?377177-fenix-5-serial-number-list-and-connectivity-issues

    https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?373080-Connected-not-connected-connected-not-connected-weak-bluetooth-signal
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 8 years ago
    Hello,
    TroyDE, I have exactly the same problem with my Fenix 5 Sapphire and iPhone 7: bluetooth is active, I can control the music of my iPhone through my watch but the Garmin Connect App still says that watch is not connected...

    I looked at the post you mentioned AlexZ131 but I don't feel it's exactly the same issue as bluetooth connection seems ok for me; it's the app that does not recognize the watch.

    I did several reboot, pairing, reinstall... still the same issue. I will try with another phone and keep you up to date. But if anyone has an info it would be helpful!



  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 8 years ago
    Hello all,
    I tried with an Andro?d Phone and it works perfectly... Watch is recognized by the Garmin Connect App at any moment the app is open.
    As the watch is seen by the bluetooth of the iPhone I feel it could be a Garmin Connect App issue under IOS.
    Next steps for me are:
    - do the test with another iphone
    - wait for an app update praying for a solution to this issue

    If anyone has any information that could be helpful do not hesitate to reply!
  • I had a similar issue. I downloaded the PC app and updated the firmware on the watch and it has been rock solid since.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 8 years ago
    Fenix 5s
    Dont know about you folks but for what I paid for this vs. the dependability of a fitbit on connecting with text an notifications I am returning until Garmin can spend more time with getting their software corrected.
    I cant seem to get text messages consistantly as I did with. Much cheaper Fitbit. Go figure.
    enough is enough.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    Hi, I have a similar problem with my fenix 5s sapphire I have a Windows 10 mobile phone; fenix has updated to firmware v 5.10 and Garmin connect mobile version is 3.20.0.
    The App can't "find my phone" ( yes I have gone through all the support, faq and forums for troubleshooting). Workaround is that I have paired my watch with https://connect.garmin.com and can update via garmin express and WiFi.
    The problem is why can I not sync with the mobile app?
    I am wondering if the connection via the Garmin website or Garmin express is obfuscating or preventing the phone app from pairing?
    Hoping that Garmin will come out with a fix for the mobile app soon. Does anyone know if there is a software update from 3.20.0 for the Mobile app? Cheers
  • When I had an issue connecting to GCM then I deleted everything and started again.

    when I say everything I mean, delete it from the Bluetooth connection on the phone, off of Garmin Express, from Garmin Connect and out of Garmin Connect Mobile. When everything is deleted then restart your PC, Mobile and F5. Then start from scratch. Sounds like a hassle, but it worked for me
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 7 years ago
    My f5 is loosing bluetooth connection with my phone after two three meters is straight line. My old f3 was still connected from a much bigger distance, even between floors. F5 connectivity is crap so far and I hope updates will fix it. I wish I listened to my friends and stick with f3 until Garmin figures out all bugs with f5.
  • Same here. Even with the phone in my pocket the watch sometimes loses the connection.
    A connection problem I have also is when I go running each time the watch don't find my Bluetooth HRM no matter what I try to get it work. The only solution I found is to restart the watch and only then the F5 pick the HRM directly and keep it perfectly and without dropping the connection during running.
    Apart for these problems I love this watch !

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