Troubleshooting Smartphone Link Live Traffic on Automotive Devices

NOTE: Your device is compatible with Smartphone Link Live Traffic. Not all devices are compatible with Android and iPhone. To verify Smartphone Link compatibility and availability, see Smartphone Link Compatibility and Availability.

See the troubleshooting below if you are not receiving traffic information. For additional troubleshooting not covered in this FAQ, see Smartphone Link Lifetime Subscriptions Display an Expiration Date and/or Restoring In-App Purchases in the Smartphone Link App.

Garmin Suggests Troubleshooting in the Following Order:

1. Set up Live Traffic
2. Update Smartphone Link
3. Restart the phone and Garmin device
4. Close all other Apps on the phone
5. Force close Smartphone Link
6. Toggle Bluetooth on the phone
7. Confirm coverage
8. Enable traffic service

Set up Live Traffic

See below for a detailed video tutorial on properly setting up Smartphone Link traffic.

• • Smartphone Link Traffic with an iPhone.

• • Smartphone Link Traffic with an Android.

Update Smartphone Link

Ensure that the latest version of Smartphone Link is running on your phone. All updates are downloaded via the App Store or Google Play Store.

Restart the Phone and Garmin Device

Restarting both your smartphone and Garmin device can establish a fresh connection between the two.

See your phone's documentation for information on fully restarting. For information on restarting your Garmin device, see its owner's manual. 

Close All Other Apps on the Phone

Other Apps running on the phone may interfere with the connection 

Steps for closing Apps on the phone can vary by make/model. If you are unsure how to close Apps, you may need to consult your phone's manual or manufacturer.

To Close Apps on most iPhones:

1. 1. Double-tap the Home button to show your most recently used Apps

   2. Swipe right or left to find the App that you want to close

   3. Swipe up on the App's preview to close the App

To Close Apps on an iPhone X:

1. 1. From the Home screen, swipe up and pause

   2. Firmly touch and hold the App, then tap the minus symbol. You can also swipe up to close the App as soon as you see the minus symbol.

To Close Apps on an Android phone:

1. 1. Launch the recent applications menu (this can be done on most phones by holding the button at the bottom of the screen)

   2. Find the applications you want to close on the list by scrolling up from the bottom

   3. Tap and hold on the application and swipe it to the right

Force Close Smartphone Link

The steps to force close an application can vary by phone model.

• • On Android, the easiest way is to reboot the phone
  • Instructions for iPhone can be found here: https://support.apple.com/HT201330

Toggle Bluetooth on the Phone

To Turn Bluetooth Off and On Again on the Phone:

1. 1. Open your phone's Settings menu

   2. Open the Bluetooth menu

   3. Touch the on/off button to disable Bluetooth

   4. Touch this button again after a moment to turn Bluetooth back on

Confirm Coverage

Confirm you're using your phone and automotive device in a Smartphone Link Live Traffic Coverage.

You will need to be traveling within a coverage area and have a data connection on your phone in order to receive traffic information. The easiest way to test if your phone has data reception is to pull up a website, such as www.garmin.com, on your phone. If your phone cannot load the website, then you do not have a data connection.

Enable Traffic Service

It is possible that the traffic service was disabled on your Garmin device.

To Confirm Whether the Service is Enabled:

1. 1. Connect the device to power using the appropriate vehicle power cable

   2. Touch Settings

   3. Touch Traffic

If traffic is disabled, you may enable it here.