What Are Open and Secure Connection Types in Garmin Accessories

Hmm, I can't find that setting any more, has it been removed...?

Edit: Or has a settling like "automatically find new sensors" never been there? I'm not sure now...

Edit2: I found it in the manual, but can't find the setting in the watch any more:

"Select Sensors & Accessories > Add New.

www8.garmin.com/.../GUID-0AA57B88-BA13-4983-ADAC-7EA7DABC735D.html

It would be a pain in the a** if that setting still exist and is enabled, but with no option to turn it off... I can test when I get home tonight, with my wife's heart strap...

Have you unpaired and re-paired your device. I did it after the FW changed as I had issues (not the same as yours) which it then solved.

I also recall some searching toggle but can’t see it now 

Yes, previous version frame ware the function was. I can't find now

I think the problem  only footpod. 

I think all of this is due to changes Garmin has made / is making to ANT+ sensor functionality due to comply with EU RED.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/01/the-begining-of-the-end-for-ant-wireless.html

That directive covers a flotilla of different areas, but one of the most applicable pieces is that it requires authentication and encryption for wireless communications of personal information. Or, at the very least, it requires manufacturers to make you aware when data is being transmitted without such protections.

I can confirm that on my FR955:

- the auto discover option for sensors no longer exists. I guess for the purposes of EU RED, it's bad enough that ANT+ connections are inherently insecure, but it's even worse that Garmin devices would automatically discover nearby sensors and give the user a simple Yes/No prompt to pair with them. Every Garmin user who's had the auto discover for sensors option enabled knows how annoying it is to get prompts to connect to random runners' HRMs or foot pods at a big race

- every paired sensor in the sensors menu now has information about whether the connection type is open, secure, or broadcast

- if I use a 3rd-party Connect IQ data field which connects to an ANT+ heart rate monitor, the watch gives me a warning that the connection is not secure

(All of these things are apparently recent changes - I'm on a beta and I think I first noticed them a few months ago)

As for what "open" and "secure" mean:

https://support.garmin.com/en-CA/?faq=VV0l7kzQtJ8BqSXapWqHd5

Open Connection:  An open connection between a sensor and display is not encrypted¹ or authenticated².  Most ANT+®, and some Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) connections are examples where the connection may be considered open depending on the specifics of the use case.  All Garmin devices support open connections, as open connections are necessary for interoperability with many commonly available sensors and other products. 

Secure Connection:  This connection type is encrypted and authenticated.  Sensors must be in pairing mode to form secure BLE connections.

¹ A radio connection that is not encrypted may be visible to others within radio range who are able to decode the radio transmission (i.e., using software-defined radio).

² A radio connection that is not authenticated means that, under certain circumstances, others may be able to falsely pose as a legitimate accessory if they are within radio range and are capable of encoding radio transmissions (i.e., using software-defined radio).

. 

oBuTTuSo said:

It would be a pain in the a** if that setting still exist and is enabled, but with no option to turn it off.

_{^{This is almost certainly what has happened in OP's case. i.e. Garmin just removed the Auto Discover option from the UI without actually removing or disabling the feature in the software, which means that if it was already turned on, there's no way to turn it off (except maybe by resetting the device to factory defaults).}}

_{^{Or maybe the feature has only been partially disabled. e.g. maybe it won't prompt you to connect, but it *will* let you know about open connections that it discovers.}}

_{^{Pretty serious bug imo, but anyone who's been a Garmin customer for a few years could've seen this coming from miles away.}}

EDIT: whoops, guess I was wrong about auto discover being incorrectly enabled. Looks like the root cause is actually the Stryd Zones data field automatically trying to connect to random Stryd sensors.

That's what I get for jumping to conclusions

Yes. I use garmin connect IQ - "stryde zone". And I have some problem when I don't use footpod stryd. I think I have to use stryde all time or delete stryd zone. If you switch off stryd we will be have the problem with other device and notification every time (i wrote about london marathon)