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Smartphone hotspot

Sync over WiFi works fine when connecting to WiFi routers. However, my VA4 refuses to see any hotspots formed on smartphones. Like they do not exist. Even when I enter them manually, they are still not visible. Tried on 4 different Android smartphones - all the same. Is this a bug of forced feature?

0 ianmiles over 4 years ago

Not sure what you mean by "Sync over Wi-Fi".

As I understand it, Wi-Fi is used for uploading activities and checking/downloading system updates. Rest of data is synced over bluetooth connection to phone.

See manual for Wi-Fi Connected Features and Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network: setup of network is done via GCM app on phone

I've just confirmed that my VA4 (firmware 5.10) sees and connects to hotspot previously set up as above on my Android Samsung S10e

0 Notibiru over 4 years ago in reply to ianmiles

I do not use Garmin app on my phone. Setup of WiFi network is done on Garmin Express (Mac). Still cannot see any smartphone's hotspots.

0 ianmiles over 4 years ago in reply to Notibiru

What do you mean "see smartphone hotspots"? There is no list of available Wi-Fi networks like you may have on other devices.

What model/firmware Vivoactive are you using?

My process

setup hotspot (I assume works similarly for Garmin Express on Mac, but I don't have one so can't verify)
turn on hotspot
long press lower button on VA4
- tap Gear icon
- scroll to bottom, tap System
- scroll to and tap Software update
  - Screen shows "Searching for Wi-Fi network", then "Checking for Updates"

Works without issue for me ...

If you cannot duplicate this, suggest you try setting up Wi-Fi via Android app Garmin Connect Mobile on phone, at least for testing purposes even if you don't want to use it long term.

0 ovekvam over 4 years ago in reply to ianmiles

I sync activities over wifi.
Long press lower button. Select gear icon. Scroll to Wi-Fi. Click connect to Wi-Fi. Then it connects to my home Wi-Fi and syncs my activities. If there is a software update, it will download that as well.

0 Notibiru over 4 years ago in reply to ianmiles

ianmiles said:
What do you mean "see smartphone hotspots"

What else can I mean by that?

ianmiles said:
There is no list of available Wi-Fi networks like you may have on other devices.

There is. In Mac/PC version of Garmin Express. Tools&Content->Utilities->WiFi Networks

ianmiles said:
What model/firmware Vivoactive are you using?

VA4s (Marvel) 4.90

ianmiles said:
Screen shows "Searching for Wi-Fi network", then "Checking for Updates"

Works without issue for me ...

Works for me as well. But only on WiFi shared from routers.

0 Notibiru over 4 years ago in reply to ovekvam

ovekvam said:
Then it connects to my home Wi-Fi and syncs my activities. I

It connects to mine as well. It does not connect to WiFi hotspots on my smartphones... You know, perhaps, what WiFi tethering is?

0 ovekvam over 4 years ago in reply to Notibiru

Yes, but I never tested it here with the watch. I only use my router based home wifi for the purpose. If I am elsewhere, I enable bluetooth and use my phone for syncing.

0 ianmiles over 4 years ago in reply to ovekvam

Just tried this - works perfectly on both home router and Android hotspot (enabled one at a time). Looks to me like the difference is one of

Hardware: regular (rest of world) VA4 vs Marvel VA4S
firmware: 5.10 vs 4.90 (not sure what latest firmware is for Marvel VA4S)
Wi-Fi setup process: Mac Garmin Express vs GCM Android

0 Former Member over 4 years ago

Having similar issues.
I recently replaced my home wifi with a phone hotspot. The Garmin Connect app (on the phone) can see the hotspot, but the watch cannot connect to it.
Further, the watch (645M) locks up each time I try.

0 5924898 over 3 years ago in reply to Former Member

Have you been fixed problem? I do have same problem