Turn-by-Turn Navigation missing - Bug or simply not available?

I’m gonna return mine too and  maybe look for another brand. I cannot believe that Garmin did that fail.

Thanks for doing that. Seems to me Garmin is splitting hairs between a feature for an $800 watch and a $550 watch, and forgot to block it from working when sharing from an X1. A bit stingy in my opinion. 

If it weren't so sad that the basic function of this €550 watch is simply blocked, you could almost laugh about the fact that even the graphics for the turn arrows are available on the V4 and in the V4 operating system, but unfortunately they are not activated.

Just a heads-up for everyone who owns a Garmin Venu 4 or is thinking about buying one.

Garmin has quietly removed the “Turn-by-Turn navigation” feature from the official Venu 4 product page. That feature was originally listed on Garmin’s own website as part of the navigation functions, and many of us bought the watch based on that official information.

Now, the page only mentions “Create courses” and “Use Google Maps”, which is misleading because the so-called Google Maps option is just an unofficial third-party app from Connect IQ — it’s not an official Garmin feature and does not provide true turn-by-turn guidance.

I have screenshots of Garmin’s original product page showing the “Turn-by-Turn” feature, as well as official replies from Garmin’s social media acknowledging the mistake.

Given how many users were affected by this misleading advertising, I suggest we organize a collective complaint to consumer protection authorities. Garmin should be held accountable and offer fair solutions — refund or exchange for a model that actually supports the feature.

If you were misled by this same issue, please comment here so we can coordinate.

I don't think that will spur Garmin into action to solve anything; they will probably just ignore it. There's no need to do anything with the watch's firmware; it would just be enough not to block this feature in the Garmin Connect mobile application. If I send navigation from the X1, it works flawlessly on the V4. I'm more afraid that they will block the option I figured out as well.

You’re absolutely right — but this is exactly what always happens with big corporations. We just accept whatever they decide, even when it clearly harms us as customers. We stay silent instead of standing up for what’s fair.

If we don’t raise our voices collectively, they’ll keep ignoring issues like this. The feature already works — it’s just being blocked for marketing reasons. If we all file complaints and make some noise in the forums and social media, Garmin will have to take it seriously. Silence only benefits them, not us.

Yes, I think that is the right path. Social media sometimes has great power, and it's necessary to inform people about this. I think many people search on YouTube for something like 'Garmin Venu 4 Navigation,' and it should be visible there that it works. Or share my photo of the Venu 4 showing that it works, and many people will start wondering why it doesn't work for them. Maybe I could record a video sometime showing that it really works perfectly, including the navigation prompts. I just have to borrow the watch from my wife, which is a problem :-) Maybe we'll be lucky and Garmin will unblock it just to have peace and quiet; for them, it's a few clicks of work since everything is already prepared and functional.

Respond from Garmin Iberia

“ Dear Juan,

Thank you for contacting the quality department.

We regret your dissatisfaction at this time.

After reviewing the case and the advertising for the Venu 4 on our website, we can confirm that this model does not have a built-in map but does include navigation alerts and turn-by-turn guidance via the Google Maps App.

You can find details about this functionality and instructions on how to use it at the following link:

Using the Google Maps Connect IQ App on a Garmin Watch

If you are not satisfied and wish to return the product, since the purchase was made at the La Maquinista store, you must go to the store to proceed with the return.

Have a good day.”

Hello!!!

This is how Garmin resolved the problem…

Thank you for contacting Garmin Iberia.

We regret the situation; it is never our intention for a customer to be dissatisfied, as our customers are our most valued asset.

We would like to emphasize that Garmin’s culture and all its actions are always guided by honesty, commitment, and responsibility.

We inform you that we have contacted the Garmin Store located in the La Maquinista shopping center to instruct them to accept the return of your product — Venu 4 45mm, reference XXXXXXXXX, purchased on 07/10/2025 — and to refund the corresponding amount.

We appreciate your trust in Garmin and regret any inconvenience this situation may have caused.