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Connecting your Instinct to a New Phone

After getting a new smartphone, you will have to set up your Garmin Instinct® watch with the Garmin Connect™ app. This article will walk you through connecting your Instinct to your new phone.

NOTE: If you have any issues connecting through Garmin Connect app, see - Garmin Connect App Bluetooth® Troubleshooting.


Apple® Devices

The steps to set up your Instinct will depend on how you set up your new phone. 

I Selected the Option to Restore From iCloud Backup

The Garmin Connect app will be partially setup with your watch. You will need to complete the pairing process: 

  1. Open the Garmin Connect app.

  2. Select More.

  3. Select Garmin Devices.

  4. Place the Instinct in pairing mode:

    1. Hold Menu to enter the main menu.

    2. Select or scroll to Settings.

    3. Select Phone.

    4. Select Pair Phone.

  5. From the iPhone select Add Device.

  6. Once Garmin Connect Mobile finds the Instinct, enter the six-digit code displayed on the Instinct to the iPhone.

Continue to follow the onscreen prompts to complete the setup. 

I Selected the Option to Set Up as New iPhone®

  1. Install Garmin Connect app from the App Store.

  2. Place the Instinct in Pairing Mode:

    1. Hold Menu to enter the main menu.

    2. Select or scroll to Settings.

    3. Select Phone.

    4. Select Pair Phone.

  3. Log in to the Garmin Connect app on the iPhone.
    NOTE: Upon signing in, the app will look for the Instinct. 

  4. Once Garmin Connect Mobile finds the Instinct, enter the six-digit code displayed on the Instinct into the iPhone.

Continue to follow the onscreen prompts to complete the setup.


Android® Devices

The steps to set up your Instinct will depend on how you set up your new phone.

I Transferred Settings and Apps Using a Backup or App

  1. Open the Bluetooth settings on the new phone.

  2. If the Instinct shows as a paired device, select the gear icon Gear iconnext to the name. If the Instinct does not show as a paired device, skip to step 5.

  3. Select Unpair.

  4. Confirm by selecting Unpair

  5. Open the Garmin Connect app.

  6. Log in, if necessary.

  7. Select More.

  8. Select Garmin Devices.

  9. Place the Instinct in pairing mode:

    1. Hold Menu to enter the main menu.

    2. Scroll to or select Settings.

    3. Select Phone.

    4. Select Pair Phone.

  10. On the phone, select Add Device.

  11. Once the Garmin Connect app finds the Instinct, select Connect It.

  12. Enter the 6 digit pairing code shown on the watch face into the prompt on the phone.

Continue to follow the onscreen prompts to complete the setup.

I Set Up the Phone Without Restoring or Transferring Settings

  1. Install Garmin Connect app from the Google Play™ Store.

  2. Place the Instinct in pairing mode:

    1. Hold Menu to enter the main menu.

    2. Scroll to or select Settings.

    3. Select Phone.

    4. Select Pair Phone.

  3. Open the Garmin Connect app on the app.

  4. Log in to the Garmin Connect app.
    NOTE: Upon signing in, the app will look for the Instinct.

  5. Once the Garmin Connect app finds the Instinct, enter the six-digit code displayed on the Instinct in the prompt on the phone.

Continue to follow the onscreen prompts to complete the setup.