Garmin Connect App LiveTrack Feature

NOTICE: LiveTrack Incident Detection should NOT be relied on as a primary method to obtain emergency assistance. For details around supplemental features that provide assistance see: Setting Up and Activating Assistance on a Garmin Device. For details about Incident Detection see: Setting Up Incident Detection on a Garmin Device.

LiveTrack software creates a real-time view of your location during an activity, so friends and family can follow along. Below is a list of frequently asked questions.

• What Information Can Be Shared?

• What Are the Requirements to Use LiveTrack?

• How Do I Set Up LiveTrack?

• How Do I Start a LiveTrack Session?

• What is the Auto Start Feature?

• What is the Show Course Feature?

• What is Spectator Messaging?

• What is the Live Event Sharing Feature?

• Why Does LiveTrack Show a Different Average Speed Value Compared to an Activity in Connect?

• How Do I Opt Out of the LiveTrack Feature?

• Helpful LiveTrack Tips

---

What Information Can Be Shared?

The following information can be displayed within a LiveTrack session shared with a designated person:

NOTE: Data marked with an * will be displayed by selecting Graphs at the bottom of the LiveTrack map.

• Current Location

• Average Pace

• Elapsed Time of Activity

• Distance Traveled

• Elevation Gain

• A Planned Route

• Current Pace*

• Speed*

• Current Elevation*

• Heart Rate*

• Cadence*

Back to top

---

What Are the Requirements to Use LiveTrack?

You need to have a LiveTrack compatible Garmin device. To confirm that your device is compatible with this feature refer to your owner's manual and search for “LiveTrack”.

• The Garmin® device must be paired and connected to the Garmin Connect™ app on your phone to use LiveTrack.

  • The app must be open or running in the background on iOS phones. For further details see: ( Some Garmin Connect App Features Are Not Working On My iOS Device)

• The paired phone must be with you during your LiveTrack activity.

• The phone must have a good cellular signal when using LiveTrack. A degraded signal can affect the performance of the feature.

• LiveTrack must be set up in the Garmin Connect app before first use.

• Disable VPN if one is in use. Use of a VPN service will affect location performance.

Back to top

---

How Do I Set Up LiveTrack?

The following steps will set up LiveTrack in your Garmin Connect app:

NOTE: The following steps presume you have previously paired a LiveTrack compatible device to the Garmin Connect app.

1. Open the Garmin Connect app.

2. Access the menu by selecting More (bottom right).

3. Select Safety and Tracking (if you do not have this option, proceed to step 4).

4. Select LiveTrack.

5. If prompted select I Consent. From here, LiveTrack supported devices will be listed.

6. Select from the top right.

7. Select Settings.

8. Configure each LiveTrack setting. Select Help from the upper right corner to learn more about each setting.

   • Email: Add up to 50 Recipients who will be emailed a link to your location once you start LiveTrack.

     NOTE: You must add your recipient's email address to their contact card on your phone. LiveTrack information can only be sent via text with Garmin Connect+. Permission to access your phone contacts must also be enabled in the app settings. Newer iOS versions require the Full Access option. To update your permission settings see: How Do I Set the Permissions for My Garmin Connect App?

     • You can share a link to your location via text message or other messaging apps by selecting (Android) or (iOS) from the Supported Devices screen once a LiveTrack session is in progress.

   • GroupTrack: Share your location with Connections on their map-enabled Garmin devices.

   • Strava Beacon: For Garmin: Enable Strava Beacon when a LiveTrack session starts.

   • Extend LiveTrack: Keep your LiveTrack session visible for 24 hours after the session ends.

9. Select the arrow from the upper left corner to exit the Settings menu.

Back to top

---

How Do I Start a LiveTrack Session?

A LiveTrack session can be started either manually or if compatible via Auto Start. Auto Start can be toggled from the Supported Devices screen of LiveTrack. If this setting is not present then your device is not compatible with Auto Start.

Back to top

---

What is the Auto Start Feature?

Select models have an Auto Start setting that allows LiveTrack to launch whenever a compatible outdoor activity is started on the watch. This setting can be enabled within the Garmin Connect app using the steps below:

1. Open the Garmin Connect app.

2. Select More (bottom right).

3. Select Safety & Tracking.

4. Select LiveTrack.

5. Toggle on AutoStart .

Back to top

---

What is the Show Course Feature?

For details on the LiveTrack Show Course feature see: Livetrack Show Course Feature in the Garmin Connect App

Back to top

---

What is Spectator Messaging?

Spectator messaging is a feature that allows your LiveTrack followers to send you audio and text messages during your run activity. You can set up this feature in the LiveTrack settings of the Garmin Connect app. To receive audio messages, you must have Bluetooth® headphones connected to your watch. For more information see What Is the Spectator Messaging Feature on My Watch?

NOTE: Your paired phone must be equipped with a data plan and be in an area of network coverage where data is available.

Back to top

---

What is the Live Event Sharing Feature?

Live Event Sharing is only available for Android and select Garmin devices. For details see: Garmin Live Event Sharing

Back to top

---

Why Does LiveTrack Show a Different Average Speed Value Compared to an Activity in Connect?

The LiveTrack page shows the average speed from the moment the activity was started and does not take into account when the device is paused, such as when you stop at a crosswalk.

Back to top

---

How Do I Opt Out of the LiveTrack Feature?

1. Open the Garmin Connect app.

2. Select More (bottom right).

3. Select Safety & Tracking or LiveTrack.

4. Select LiveTrack.

5. Select (top right).

6. Select LiveTrack Data & Privacy. 

7. Select Opt Out.

Back to top

---

Helpful LiveTrack Tips

Below are tips to improve the LiveTrack experience for both you and those you share your activity tracking with:

• Before starting an activity on your device, ensure you have a good GPS signal. Wait a few moments after acquiring a signal before you start your workout. This will allow the LiveTrack map to display your location at the beginning of an activity.

• For Garmin watches, make sure you see the LiveTrack icon on your watch, indicating an active session.

• Loss of a cellular signal may result in the LiveTrack map not displaying your current location. LiveTrack will display your last known location and should pick back up once your phone has found a signal again.

• For compatible devices, use the Auto Start feature in LiveTrack. This allows your activity to be shared automatically each time you start an activity.

• If you have more than one Garmin device paired with the Garmin Connect app, make sure you select the right one under Devices in the LiveTrack settings before you start your activity.

• If you are not receiving audio or text messages from your LiveTrack followers using your compatible LTE device, see  What Is the Spectator Messaging Feature on My Forerunner 945 LTE?

Back to top