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Have you been trying to connect your Garmin watch to your iPhone but running into issues?
If yes, then you are in the right place for a solution.
Garmin watches are designed to sync seamlessly with iPhones through the Garmin Connect app.
This connection allows you to track fitness data, receive notifications, and sync activities effortlessly.
However, pairing issues can sometimes arise, preventing your watch from connecting properly.
So what happens when we encounter problems while trying to connect a Garmin watch to an iPhone?
In this guide, you will learn how to connect a Garmin watch to an iPhone and why you might be facing difficulties while doing so.
Why Won’t My Garmin Watch Connect to My iPhone?
Problems like this are common when trying to pair devices, but they can often be fixed manually.
However, the cause of the issue may differ depending on the Garmin model and your iPhone’s settings.
From the top of our heads, a Bluetooth issue or a previously paired connection not being removed is usually the main culprit.
Other times, it could be that your Garmin Connect app needs an update, or that your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings need to be reset.
How to Connect Garmin Watch to iPhone
To connect your Garmin watch to an iPhone, the first solution is to ensure that Bluetooth is enabled and that your devices are not already paired incorrectly.
The second solution is to remove any previous Garmin connections from your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings before attempting a fresh pairing.
The third solution is to update the Garmin Connect app on your iPhone to ensure that you are running the latest version.
There is also a fourth solution in this guide for fixing this issue—keep reading to find out.
Solution #1: Enable Bluetooth on iPhone and Restart Devices
The first solution is to make sure your iPhone’s Bluetooth is enabled and that both your watch and phone are restarted before attempting to pair them.
Steps to enable Bluetooth and restart:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on Bluetooth and make sure it is turned on.
- Restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off.
- Restart your Garmin watch by holding the power button and selecting Power Off, then turning it back on.
- Try pairing the devices again using the Garmin Connect app.
Solution #2: Remove Previous Garmin Connections
If your Garmin watch was previously connected to another phone or has a failed pairing attempt, you may need to remove any old connections before reconnecting it to your iPhone.
Steps to remove previous connections:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to Bluetooth and look for any Garmin devices listed.
- Tap on the (i) icon next to the Garmin device and select Forget This Device.
- Restart your iPhone and Garmin watch.
- Open the Garmin Connect app and try pairing your watch again.
Solution #3: Update the Garmin Connect App
Outdated apps can sometimes cause connectivity issues, so ensuring that the Garmin Connect app is up to date is essential.
Steps to update Garmin Connect:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Search for Garmin Connect.
- If an update is available, tap Update.
- Once the update is installed, restart your phone and try pairing your Garmin watch again.
Solution #4: Reset Bluetooth and Network Settings on iPhone
If the previous solutions do not work, you may need to reset your iPhone’s Bluetooth and network settings.
Steps to reset Bluetooth and network settings:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on General, then select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Choose Reset, then tap Reset Network Settings.
- Your iPhone will restart. Once it’s back on, enable Bluetooth and try pairing your Garmin watch again.
Conclusion
If you cannot connect your Garmin watch to your iPhone, it may be due to several reasons that we have covered in this guide.
The most common causes include Bluetooth connectivity issues, outdated Garmin Connect app, or previous pairing conflicts.
This is usually a minor issue that can be fixed manually in just a few minutes—no need to contact Garmin support.
Just follow the solutions in this guide carefully, and you should be able to connect your Garmin watch to your iPhone in no time.
Additional Reading:
How To Connect AirPods To Garmin Watch
Can I Connect My Apple Watch To Garmin Connect?
Can You Connect Two Watches To Garmin Connect?
Brianna is based in Minnesota in the US at the moment, and has been writing since 2017. She is currently a 3rd Year med student at the time of writing this.
