LTE calling function does not work on Fenix 8 Pro watch

Mierzej87 22 days ago

Hello.

Watch: Fenix 8 Pro

Version: AMOLED 51 mm

Software Watch: 18.41

Software app Garmin Messenger with smartphone: 2.41.1 (1345178)

System smartphone: Android 13.1

Smartphone: One Plus 8 Pro

Unfortunately, I'd be surprised if something worked well from the start.

This time, I wanted to test the flagship voice calling feature from the Garmin Messenger app over LTE. Unfortunately, this feature doesn't work for me.

I tested two variants: with my smartphone connected and disconnected. I get feedback visible in the screenshots.

- In the first case, it's completely disconnected from the smartphone, telling me to install the latest version of the smartphone app. And here's a side note: I've already done that. I even reinstalled it for testing purposes.

- In the second variant, with my smartphone connected, I get a message telling me to move closer to the smartphone or call from the watch. Unfortunately, this isn't possible.

Calls through the smartphone app work correctly, but the caller isn't displayed on the watch, only in the apps, as if the watch were being ignored. The Fenix 8 Pro is added to Garmin Messenger, and I have an active subscription transferred from the InReach Messenger.

Interestingly, there's signal, and text messages are arriving (at least one arrived, which I sent for testing).

Please help me solve this problem. I don't need to repeat that I'm upgrading from a Fenix 8 to a Fenix 8 Pro specifically for these features, and I want it to work.

//EDIT//

The service has been successfully restored! The solution is to reset and clear the cache (hold the LIGHT button for several seconds until the watch turns off, then turn it back on after about 30 seconds). This operation is not only necessary after updating the software, but also after activating the InReach subscription service.

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Unfortunately, calls and messages aren't possible during activity, which is a critical drawback and exactly what Garmin advertises in its videos.

Even with the Fenix 8, you couldn't connect to a paired smartphone via Bluetooth.

This is happening again, and the developers, having been around for a full year, ignored it. I've mentioned this in more than one Beta test report. It's not right for LTE to be disabled when an activity is activated.

Furthermore, even if you enable the "RESUME LATER" option, signal appears, but you still can't connect. If that's how it's supposed to work, LTE is pointless on the watch, because you can use your smartphone outside of training. The point is to use these features with training enabled. Garmin, fix this flaw and bug...

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0 schlupp73 20 days ago in reply to Mierzej87

Just some ideas ..I would reset the settings of the activity focus mode as this should be the relevant one when IN the activities. And make sure that without focus mode defaults are set for status: Lte+satellite.

Another thing is... Maybe switch to English, I had translation copy paste errors that could miss guide you too when you leave the defaults.

0 Blizniak_87 20 days ago in reply to Mierzej87

Same story in my fenix 8 pro. I mean - there is a range of LTE, but message and calling can’t be delivered to. I have been trying during 10k easy run and today 20k long run. Nothing working properly. Even livetrack is very bad, because lagging and stopping randomly. I live in Warsaw, so there is no problem with lte/5g range.

0 schlupp73 20 days ago in reply to Blizniak_87

Yes, this is the part what tells me it's partially a Carrier prioritisation issue, of course more detailed debug logs on radio quality could help to say it's really not the signal strength issue. There needs to be another factor that causes inreliability

0 Blizniak_87 20 days ago in reply to schlupp73

I just truly believe, that Garmin will fix that point, because right now there is probably no added value to buy fenix 8 pro than my previous Fenix 8. Even compared to Apple Watch (I have big Garmin and apple eco), lte in Garmin working ridiculously bad.

0 ekutter 20 days ago in reply to Mierzej87

You can adjust the LTE mode by going to the main menu -> Connectivity -> LTE & Satellite. I always have the Status set to "LTE & Satellite". I have LTE Mode set to "Always On".

I think I might have just figured something out.

I usually just have phone set to Off, but somehow it got set to On since I did that successful call earlier. Trying a call just now, I was getting failure like you guys were seeing. As soon as I set Phone back to "Off", I was able to make a call while recording an activity.

If you don't have it added already, add the Phone Control and turn it to off.

Also, I'm initiating calls from the Messenger Calls control - the orange icon on this page.

Having the phone icon disabled is allowing me to make calls 100% while recording an activity. With Phone enabled, it seems to be a bit hit and miss - more miss.

0 Volker 20 days ago in reply to Mierzej87

Just a question/hint: if you go to the watch settings: menu>watch settings>Focus modes>activity>сonnectivity: which setting/status is there enabled? Ok, that was already suggested above,but have you checked it?

For me lte is available using the walk activity.

0 Blizniak_87 20 days ago in reply to Volker

I have the "LTE & Satellite" and LTE Mode set to "Always On", so this is not a case. But now I have checked and if phone control set to off, then message and calls are available. Maybe this will solve the problem right now, but I need to check it during activity, not just at home.

0 Volker 20 days ago in reply to ekutter

ekutter said:
As soon as I set Phone back to "Off", I was able to make a call while recording an activity

Seems to be an issue that Garmin should fix asap?

0 Fraser-Cole 20 days ago in reply to ekutter

I just did an easy 10k in large park with clear view of the sky for 60% of it.

as you suggested phone set to off. 1st message took a minute to find LTE snd sent. Then I made my first call and it worked!

however after this call my kilometer alert stopped sounding and then the next few calls were mixed. One connected with no sound either end and the other 3 never connected. Message I sent during warm down went through in a timely manner worked fine.

so thanks for the tip, much appreciated- it’s why I come here - it’s much better than the first attempt but not quite there yet

0 Mierzej87 20 days ago

Gentlemen, I've discovered the problem! .

It's caused by Power Profiles. LTE doesn't work during activity when selecting any Power Mode other than "Normal."

This is the only one that works correctly with LTE. In any other preset that was already on the watch, such as "Jacket Mode," "Maximum Accuracy," "Maximum Battery," or user-added profiles like "Walk," "Hike," or "Run," LTE won't work. Try it.

I've transferred profiles from a backup and added them to activities, which I also transferred from a backup. People coming from watches older than the Fenix 8, Enduro 3, Forterrunner 570 and 970, or Venu X1 won't have as many details restored, so on a so-called "almost clean" LTE system during activity, it will work.

So, it's not LTE that needs repairing, but Power Profiles. This is becoming a thing of the past with these power profiles. It's a shame, because at this point you can't turn off OHR, change the satellite mode to a more energy-saving one for a specific activity... That is, Power Profiles need repair. Ehh...