What Are Open and Secure Connection Types in Garmin Accessories?

Starting in January 2025, you may see a connection type message when pairing an accessory with your Garmin® watch or cycling computer. 

What Are the Different Connection Types?

Open Connection:  An open connection between a sensor and display is not encrypted1 or authenticated2.  Most ANT, and some BLE, connections are examples where the connection may be considered open depending on the specifics of the use case.  All Garmin devices support open connections, as open connections are necessary for interoperability with many commonly available sensors and other products. 

Secure Connection:  This connection type is encrypted and authenticated.  Sensors must be in pairing mode to form secure BLE connections.  For a list of Garmin devices that support secure connections, see below.

List of Compatible Devices That the Offer Secure Connection Type

Note: Devices listed below also support open connections.

  • Edge® 540 | Edge® 540 Solar cycling computer

  • Edge® 840 | Edge® 840 Solar cycling computer

  • Edge® 1040 | Edge® 1040 Solar cycling computer

  • Edge® 1050 cycling computer

  • Edge® Explore 2 cycling computer

  • Enduro™ 2 watch

  • Enduro™ 3 watch

  • epix™ (Gen 2) - Standard Edition | epix™ (Gen 2) - Sapphire Edition | epix™ (Gen 2) - Porsche Edition watches

  • epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - Standard Edition | epix™ Pro (Gen 2) - Sapphire Edition watches

  • fēnix® 7 - Standard Edition | fēnix® 7 - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7 - Sapphire Solar Edition watches

  • fēnix® 7S - Standard Edition | fēnix® 7S - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7S - Sapphire Solar Edition watches

  • fēnix® 7X - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7X - Sapphire Solar Edition watches

  • fēnix® 7 Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7 Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition watches

  • fēnix® 7S Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7S Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition watches

  • fēnix® 7X Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7X Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition watches

  • fēnix® 8 AMOLED Edition | fēnix® 8 Solar Edition watches

  • Forerunner® 165 | Forerunner® 165 Music watches

  • Forerunner® 255 | Forerunner® 255S | Forerunner® 255 Music | Forerunner® 255S Music watches

  • Forerunner® 265 | Forerunner® 265S watches

  • Forerunner® 955 | Forerunner® 955 Solar watches

  • Forerunner® 965 watch

  • Lily® 2 Active watch

  • MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) | MARQ® Aviator (Gen 2) | MARQ® Captain (Gen 2) | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2) watches

  • MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) - Damascus Steel Edition | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Performance Edition | MARQ® Commander (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition watches

  • tactix® 7 - AMOLED Edition | tactix® 7 - Standard Edition | tactix® 7 - Pro Edition | tactix® 7 - Pro Ballistics Edition watches

What Accessories Can Form Secure Connections?

Currently the HRM 200 is the only Garmin accessory that has this feature.  The HRM 200 can also form open connections.  For information about changing connection type see: How Do I Change the Connection Type on My Sensor?.

1. A radio connection that is not encrypted may be visible to others within radio range who are able to decode the radio transmission (i.e., using software-defined radio).

2. A radio connection that is not authenticated means that, under certain circumstances, others may be able to falsely pose as a legitimate accessory if they are within radio range and are capable of encoding radio transmissions (i.e., using software-defined radio).