Will we ever be able again to load a different course during a running activity?

Thanks for testing. I just installed v19.22 but there it's not possible to install Komoot or Windfield since that firmware is too old.

When trying to download a GPX track with GRouteLoader from my phone (with GExporter running) during an activity, it just freezes on the "downloading..." screen. I have to force reboot then. As soon I stop the activity, I can download the track withing seconds. So it's clearly a restriction when an activity is running. I don't know the reason for Garmin to do that.

Tried GRouteLoader on Edge 540 (FW 24.19) with Gexporter on phone, during an activity, with internet on phone - it didn't work.

Edge was able to launch GRouteLoader widget, select gexporter menu item, see track list for from phone's gexporter, started downliad of selected track, but unable to comolete ir. See screenshot below.

"Back" button worked though, so no hang, but no track transfer either. 

Made 3 attempts during an activity, same result. No tracks in Courses menu on Edge.

But AFTER stopping an activity, all 3 copies of that track appeared on my Edge in Courses. See pic below.

I'll try on 1040 next day night.

Tried GRouteLoader on Edge 1040 (FW 24.19) with Gexporter on phone, during an activity, with internet on phone - it works, BUT...

Edge seemed to hang during track transfer, see screenshot below (Note, that round progress thing was turning all the time, so it's not a complete "freeze"). But, screen was unresponsive, and since there's no physical "back" button like with 540/840, I was unable to cancel or go back. 

I decided to wait (instead of hard-restart with power button), and went looking into GCM app settings on the phone.

There I saw GCM is trying to sync with Edge, but progress bar is grey and not moving.

After a long while, the sync progress has moved on and finished. Same time Edge changed the screen, and showed track transfer as successful. See another screenshot - it took 800 sec.

Another attempt I did with LiveTrack stopped manually in GCM for Edge 1040 (normally I have it On for all activities). Then another course file transfer also hangs, I started sync in GCM, and it went out faster together 100 sec. See yet another screenshot.

So it works overall, but takes abnormally long time.

Internet on the phone was ON all the time, just for the record.

I may have time to do more experimenting with 1040 later. 

As of my above-attempt with Edge 540, I believe it would have worked out eventually if I was waiting until it finishes. Or maybe GCM sync would push it to finish sooner, I don't know.

So I can now confirm that if you experience such screen as "Downloading..." for longer than 5-10 seconds - open GCM app on the phone, go to Edge 1040 settings page, and perform a forced sync. After sync finishes, course transfer finishes.

It works with internet only, otherwise error - this is a known limitation of Garmin GCM software as mentioned in Gexporter app description in Play Store.

LiveTrack has no influence in my case, whether on or off, however it does occupy bluetooth connection to phone, and may delay the sync required for track transfer.

With this I think I'm done here, and summary is as follows:

• if it's no internet, then the only method to transfer the track from phone to 540/840/1040 is using Files app to copy GPX or FIT file directly to Edge by USB cable. GPX files you'll need to put into Edge's folder /Garmin/NewFiles . And FIT files you may put either in NewFiles or directly into Courses folder. This method requires stopping of Edge activity recording, be sure to stop and save, as Edge will shout-down and restart during USB connection anyways.
• And if internet is available, then simply open GPX track on phone with GCM app, let it import the track to Courses list, and ftom there hit "send track to device", and use forced sync to push it. This goes without stopping an activity.

If you get to know better methods,please kindly share!

Thanks for your time experimenting with this as well. I did practically the same, with different firmware versions. I believe that in v19 it must have worked sending a track with GPX Exporter during an activity, but I could not test ist since that firmware is too old to be used with any IQ apps now. So I came to the same available solutions as you.

Without internet you are left with entirely stopping the activity if you want to send a new track with some GPX Exporter. Or just use the Edge's routing for once.^^ I just hope that this case will not happen all too often. You normally don't have a blocked route with no direct detour available and no internet to create a new route at the same time. ;)

Without internet Gexporter/Gimporter do not work, so the only option is copying files by USB cable. This requires stopping an activity, as Edge would restart anyways upon connecting by USB cable to phone.

Quite a good idea, I'd say, to add usb cable in bike bag, just in case.

Or stop your activity and start a new one and have 2 separate recorded activities at the end of the day. ;)

For myself actually I was looking for a complete offline solution, as indeed some interesting places for biking may have no internet at all, so cable transfer from phone to Edge is really the only way to load the adjusted the route on the go. Might be useful for bikepacking tours and same kind of long rides.

I bought an Edge 1040 for this feature, and I also have a fenix 7 pro. It's crazy what Garmin is doing with updates lately. I used to recommend this device to friends. now I am ashamed.