Select your product to confirm this information applies to you

Using the Connected GPS Feature With a Garmin Watch

With Connected GPS, watches that do not have a built-in GPS receiver can use the GPS and location information from a paired smartphone to record GPS data for walk, run, or bike activity. The GPS data, including location, distance, and speed, appears in the activity details in your Garmin Connect™ account.

Which Garmin Watches Use Connected GPS?

You can record an activity using Connected GPS with the following Garmin watches below. Select a model to view instructions on how to start a connected GPS activity on the watch.

What Permissions Are Needed to Use Connected GPS?

To enable Connected GPS on your mobile device, select your phone platform below and follow the instructions to grant "Location" permission to the Garmin Connect™ app.

Android

Open the Garmin Connect app.
Select More (bottom right).
Select Settings.
Select Phone Permissions.
Select Manage Permissions.
Select Permissions.
Select Location.
Ensure that Allow all the time is selected.
- If "Allow all the time" is not an available option, toggle Location on.

iOS

Open the Garmin Connect app.
Select More (bottom right).
Select Settings.
Select Phone Permissions.
Select Manage Permissions.
Select Location in the iOS settings.
Select Always to enable Garmin Connect to access your phone’s location.
Toggle Precise Location to on.

NOTE: In addition, Cellular Data permission must be granted to use Connected GPS. By default this permission is enabled; however, if you turn the setting off, Connected GPS will not work. You can check this phone setting under Settings > Cellular then scroll down to the Connect app under CELLULAR DATA.

How Do I Use Connected GPS on My Garmin Device?

After you have enabled the necessary location permissions on your smartphone, you can start a outdoor activity on your compatible device to use the Connected GPS feature. When using Connected GPS, keep in mind these additional requirements:

The Garmin Connect app must be open and running during the workout. However, your phone's screen can be off.
Phone GPS must be enabled for the activity profile.
Bluetooth must be turned on for both the phone and watch.
Your phone's GPS should be on.
Your phone must be with you during the activity.
You should be outside with a clear view of the sky; the feature will not work indoors.

How Do I Enable Phone GPS For a Specific Activity Profile?

Phone GPS should be enabled for an activity profile in order to record GPS data and location for your walk, run, or bike activity. This setting can be adjusted on the watch or in the Garmin Connect app. To enable Phone GPS from the device or the app, choose an option below to reveal instructions.

NOTE: This feature is only available on the Lily® - Sports Edition | Lily® - Classic Edition watches

To Enable Phone GPS for an Activity Profile on the Watch:

Open the menu.
Select _.
Select an activity.
Select .
Touch Phone GPS to toggle Connect GPS to On.

To Enable Phone GPS for an Activity Profile in the Garmin Connect Mobile App:

Open the Garmin Connect app.
Access the menu by selecting More (bottom right).
Scroll down and select Garmin Devices.
Select your device.
Select Activities.
Select the activity type.
Toggle Phone GPS on.

Does Using Connected GPS Help Improve the Distance Accuracy of Non-GPS Activities?

Using Connected GPS with your smartphone will calibrate your watch and can improve the distance accuracy for activities recorded without GPS, such as a walk or run.

Why is My Connected GPS Signal Dropping After Starting My Activity?

This occurs when the watch is receiving poor or imprecise GPS data from the phone giving the impression that a GPS signal has dropped. The device will only record GPS track values sent by the phone that are deemed to be within an acceptable accuracy range.