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Pairing and Setting up the Garmin DriveSmart 66/76/86 in the Garmin Drive App

The Garmin DriveSmart™ 66 | Garmin DriveSmart™ 76 | Garmin DriveSmart™ 86 GPS navigators can be paired with the Garmin Drive™ app.


Benefits of Connecting to the Garmin Drive App:


Connecting to the Garmin Drive™ app offers several benefits that can enhance your driving experience:  

Alexa Symbol Amazon Alexa allows verbal interaction to get information, for entertainment, etc. (Example, ask "Alexa, what is the weather in Olathe, KS?", or "Alexa, who won the baseball game last night?").

Hands-Free:

  • Enable Bluetooth phone calls and smart notifications (text messages, email notifications, etc.).

Live Features:

  • Receive traffic alerts, weather forecasts, weather radar and road conditions.

Share Locations:


Pairing With the Garmin Drive App

NOTE: In order to pair your Garmin DriveSmart device, the app on your phone and the software on the device must both be up to date. Apps on your phone can be updated via your phone's app store.  For instructions on updating the Garmin DriveSmart 66/76/86 see Wireless Map and Software Update Instructions.

First Time Users - Initial Setup

  1. Install and open the Garmin Drive app.

  2. Allow all requested app permissions and license agreements when prompted.

  3. On the DriveSmart, touch Settings DriveCam 76 Settings Gear

  4. Touch Complete Setup.

    • If Complete Setup is missing, touch Wireless Networks, then Search for Devices.

  5. Touch Connect Now.

  6. In the Garmin Drive app, touch Navigation Device.

  7. Touch Find Garmin Device

    • Additionally on iPhone, tap BT_Garmin DriveSmart in 'Select An Accessory' box when it appears. This can take time to appear.

  8. Touch Yes on the DriveSmart device and Pair when prompted on the Drive app. 

    • Enter the pairing code on the phone if prompted, then touch Pair.

  9. Continue to allow all requested permissions and the privacy policy when prompted.

  10. Sign In to your existing Garmin account. If you do not have an account tap Create Account.

    • A Garmin account is required for Garmin Drive app usage. 

    • If you were already signed in, touch Save to add your device to your Vehicles.

Your DriveSmart will now be saved and connected to the Garmin Drive app. 


Hands-free calling and smart notifications are enabled by default.

Finish Setup for Additional Features

Anytime after you have initially added your DriveSmart to the Garmin Drive app, you can begin to check out more features:

  1. Open the Garmin Drive app, select the Vehicle, then select your DriveSmart.

  2. Select Finish Setup, then select a feature. Follow the prompts and allow all requested permissions to complete setup of any of the following:


    Alexa SymbolAmazon Alexa

    1. Touch Continue to setup Audio. 

      • This step will be skipped if audio has already been setup.

    2. Touch Continue, to start the setup of your DriveSmart.

    3. Touch Continue, to the information that your DriveSmart can play audio through Bluetooth or a stereo Aux cable (aux cable not included with the DriveSmart)

    4. Touch No or Yes to 'Do you currently use Bluetooth in your vehicle?'

      • If you selected No, follow the prompt to restart your DriveSmart.

      • If you selected Yes, select Yes again if you can play music from your phone to your vehicle stereo.

        1. Restart your device to apply the changes.

        2. Touch Continue, to calibrate Bluetooth audio by playing a sound.

        3. Touch Play Test Sound.

        4. The configuring audio will play a tone. If you can hear it, touch Yes.

          • If not, touch No for troubleshooting.

        5. Touch Continue when Audio Setup is Complete.

    5. Sign in with Amazon, follow the prompts to sign in or create an Amazon account and allow permissions. This is required to use the Amazon Alexa feature.

    6. Touch the back arrow to get back to your DriveSmart in the Drive app.

    7. Touch Done on the DriveSmart device to complete the Drive app setup.

Audio Setup - The DriveSmart must be connected to setup audio. Audio setup will be prompted during the Amazon Alexa setup.

    • See steps #2-4 for Amazon Alexa above.

Get Notified 

    • This will provide quick access to your device when it connects, keep your device software up-to-date, and notify you when new features are added. 
    • Select Enable Notifications, then Allow.


Phone Calls

    • This will share your phone's contacts with your DriveSmart.
    • Select Enable Contact Sync, then follow the prompts to allow and share contacts.


Product Registration

    •  To register your device, obtain the Product Unit ID#, and opt-in or opt-out for Marketing Communications.