Messages frequently don’t send from the Garmin junior app to my kids Garmin bounce. This features reliability is a major issue for me. Is there something I should be doing differently. Thanks.

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Canada

You can contact me via email.  I am located in Canada.  We just got the watch and it’s terrible.  Messages from the watch arrive to our phone apps near instantly whether on wifi or LTE.  Messages from our phone app to the watch can take over an hour to reach the watch, if ever (LTE or wifi, it doesn’t matter.).  We’ve tested in many locations around our suburban area with strong wifi and LTE capability and it’s always the same.  We essentially have no ability to message our son.  It only works one way, watch to phone app. We can sometimes get messages to arrive to the watch by swipe closing the garmin app on our phone and reopening.  But, this isn’t an actual solution as it doesn’t always work. Very disappointed.

Add us to the list. WE returned the first bounce ordered thinking it was defective. After receiving the second unit and setting it up, same issue: we can send form the watch > app and it is almost instantaneous. But messages from the app > watch take over an hour. We are in Canada, will try in a few other locations, but had done that with the first one we used and had many issues. If this doesn't fix itself will return and go with a competitor or fork over the $$ to Apple for one that we KNOW works

The messaging and live tracking don't work effectively regardless of if I am inside or outside or my son is inside or outside.  We live in Toronto so are in a major urban center.  The network should not be an issue.

The only feature that works consistently is telling us when our child has moved into or out of a boundary we have set.  Messages send but anywhere from instantly to an hour later and live tracking hasn't worked since we first got the watch.  I think it worked once or twice then never again.

This is really disappointing.  I would have recommended this device to all my friends for their kids but as it stands I couldn't do that in good conscience.  It doesn't do what it claims to do.

Gamin support has been useless. They made me feel insulted and like I didn't know how to set it up by following the instructions. Then blamed it on LTE issues, when I just learned other people in same community have no issues with messaging or tracking. I was appalled to be treated the way  I was. Then to be told there were no replacement watches in stock and they didn't know when there would be any but I could repurchase one and it would be shipped within a week and then I could send  old one back and get refund. Right cause people just have $500 laying around for a kids watch and the $160 for the lte plan that doesn't work. If this does not resolve issue no one ion our house will support Garmin products. 

I’ve had so many people ask what watch my son has because they want the functionality if this exact product.  Unfortunately, I have to tell them it basically doesn’t work.  Garmin says the problem is the LTE coverage in and around Toronto, the nation’s largest city, but it’s no better on the wifi either.  If the watch doesn’t work in the greater Toronto area, Garmin shouldn’t be selling it in Canada.  My question is: does it work anywhere? Has anyone had a positive experience with this watch? If so, where?

I was about to return my kids watch recently. But there was as Update released that seems to have helped with them receiving and reply to messages much faster. We’re in Calgary,AB. 

I have been having the same issues with my son and daughter's Bounce! Just sent Garmin request for help, awaiting reply. Anyone know of a fix while I wait?