How do I connect 2 watches to my Garmin Connect account without doubling everything?

I'm not sure if it's possible what you want but in Garmin connect, when you click on device, scroll down, you will see option to make it as preferred activity tracker.

It’s not possible to do exactly what you want but you can open a separate GC account for one of the watches. Ensure that watch is removed from the other account and only exists in the second account. Add each account as a connection to the other. When you want to review the data open the activity in the account you are not logged into then select to compare the activity in the account you are logged into.

Note, you can only log into one account at a time in GCM and GCINTERWEB. 

I agree that the best solution here is to create two Garmin Connect accounts. Setting one device as a preferred activity tracker won't stop your runs (and related stats) from doubling up if you record them on two different devices (EDIT: connected to the same account)

Dr Phil said:

Note, you can only log into one account at a time in GCM and GCINTERWEB. 

I mean, I know what you meant, but if you want to log into two accounts simultaneously, there's a bunch of ways to do it:

• (website) on the same computer, use 2 browsers (e.g. Chrome and Firefox) or use the same browser with one window in incognito/private mode and and the other window in normal mode. If you have a computer, this is would be your best bet imo, if you want to compare two activities side-by-side
• (website and/or app) use 2 devices, like a tablet and a phone, or a computer and a phone
• (website) on an iPad Pro, use Split View and use 2 browsers (e.g. Safari and Chrome), or 2 Safari tabs - 1 in Private mode and the other in normal mode

To be annoyingly pedantic, you can log into one account per device (for the app) or per browser instance (for the website))

Thanks for putting me correct; there are indeed workarounds to get two separate accounts open but

WillNorthYork said:

if you want to compare two activities side-by-side

The easiest way to do it is to open one and choose to compare with the other GCInterweb either within one account or two connected accounts. 

You're right, that's a lot simpler (and more useful.) Sorry for being obtuse!

(I will say that the comparison feature doesn't have *all* the stats and detail that the normal activity view does, but it's probably good enough in the vast majority of cases.)

There is a setting in Garmin Connect so activities do not auto upload from other watches.

Its in Device Settings

That way you can True Up without dupes. in GC

5135968 said:

There is a setting in Garmin Connect so activities do not auto upload from other watches.

5135968 said:

That way you can True Up without dupes. in GC

Would you also have to disable Physio TrueUp in this case? Seems like otherwise you might get double intensity minutes, steps, etc., unless the feature is really smart.

It seems to workout as expected, certainly any activities with steps. intensity are not double counted.

I keep TrueUp on everything except my Primary Tracker where its disabled.

Interesting, thanks! I don't know if this would work for OPs case, since they want both sets of activities on GC for comparison purposes. But it sounds pretty useful if you have two devices.