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Cannot connect FR235 to Bluetooth

Former Member
Former Member over 8 years ago
Hi All,

I have just bought Forerunner 235, Smart Scales, Tempo, Speed & Cadence and Heart Rate Monitor. I've noticed some unexpected issues like Smart Scales not working (it only measures my weight and BMI) and I'm still waiting for reply from customer service.

I have a problem with connecting FR235 to Garmin Connect. My smartphone is on the list of supported phone, it also has correct Android and Bluetooth version. I was able to save my cycling data once, then synchronize them with my smart phone and finally see them on the website. But the second time I've tried that, it didn't work. I mean, smart phone shows that Bluetooth is turned on, Garmin Connect application is up and running, it shows Forerunner 235 in Garmin devices as "Not connected". Question mark indicates that I just need to turn on Bluetooth in FR235 and device with Android and they both will connect automatically.

But when, when I go to settings, Bluetooth and change from "Off" to "Waiting to Connect", it remains there without end. In fact it was the whole night in "Waiting to Connect" mode. I don't see Bluetooth icon in the main screen (only time, date and battery icon) which makes me think that the problem is not with Garmin Connect application or Bluetooth on the smart phone, but rather FR235 being unable to turn Bluetooth on. I've also tried restarting FR235 by pressing power button for a longer time and enabling Bluetooth again after restart, but it didn't help.

Has anyone experienced similar issue? Is there any known solution? I cannot try with Garmin Express because I have Linux and I cannot even download their software to try it with Wine application (which emulates Windows environment in Linux). So Android is my only choice.

By the way, how should I understand "Power save in 30 seconds" message? Can I double check in Garmin online account that my heart rate was really measured with chest strap rather than built-in heart rate monitor? If I don't wear smart watch at night, will it notice that my heart rate with built-in monitor is really heart rate of my unexpectedly alive night table, rather than mine?

Thank you!
  • 0 over 8 years ago
    Are you trying to pair the watch to your phone like you would a hands free device or are you pairing it from within the Garmin app? To pair through the app after putting the watch in pairing mode you need to go to the Garmin Devices select Add and then the device. The watch should display a number for you to enter into the app and it should connect from then on.

    The power save message is just letting you know that it's going to switch back to regular watch mode from an activity mode to save battery.

    As far as not wearing it when you sleep, it will register no HR and mark that time as being in deep sleep.
  • 0 over 8 years ago
    I don't see Bluetooth icon in the main screen (only time, date and battery icon) which makes me think that the problem is not with Garmin Connect application or Bluetooth on the smart phone, but rather FR235 being unable to turn Bluetooth on.
    I doubt it. The Bluetooth radio on the FR235 was most likely successfully enabled on the watch, but you were simply not able to establish a connection over which data can be transferred.

    I've also tried restarting FR235 by pressing power button for a longer time and enabling Bluetooth again after restart, but it didn't help.
    Did you try restarting your phone? I haven't really noticed the same issue syncing with my Android handset since moving to it from a Microsoft Lumia‑532, but I used to occasionally have issues connecting to Garmin Connect Mobile app for Windows 10 Mobile sometimes, with the watch remaining in a “Waiting to Connect” state, and what it took to connect and sync was restarting W10M – even though other Bluetooth (I suppose non-BLE) devices such as my headset could establish fresh connections with the handset even before the restart.

    I cannot try with Garmin Express because I have Linux and I cannot even download their software to try it with Wine application (which emulates Windows environment in Linux).
    Which versions of FR235 firmware and the WHR module are you running on the watch, then?

    So Android is my only choice.
    I don't know whether you're running Linux on a PC with Intel architecture that you own, but if you are, then it's most likely also an option (which you could choose) to pay Microsoft for a software licence and install Windows on it, making room by repartitioning the primary storage device if necessary to run Garmin Express.

    By the way, how should I understand "Power save in 30 seconds" message?
    See the FR230/235 Owner's Manual.

    Can I double check in Garmin online account that my heart rate was really measured with chest strap rather than built-in heart rate monitor?
    Not as far as I'm aware.