Select your product to confirm this information applies to you

Troubleshooting A Garmin Drive App Issue with the Garmin Speak or Garmin Speak Plus

null

This FAQ Addresses the Following Types of Issues With the Garmin Speak or Garmin Speak Plus:

  • Pairing
  • Enabling the Garmin skill
  • Connecting and activating your device with the Garmin Drive app
  • Any other connection issues such as Bluetooth and audio

Additional Troubleshooting FAQ's:

  • null
  • null
  • null
  • null

We Suggest Troubleshooting in This Order:

  1. Check phone requirements
  2. Check for software updates
  3. Restart the phone and Garmin Speak
  4. Re-pair by forgetting the device from the phone's Bluetooth settings
  5. Clear app cache
  6. Uninstall and reinstall the Garmin Drive app
  7. Perform a master reset

Check Phone Requirements

Ensure Your Phone Meets System Requirements for the Garmin Speak Device and App

Go to the Garmin Drive App and select either App Store or Google Play to find the current requirements. It is necessary to use a phone that meets these requirements.

A list of phones tested for compatibility with the Garmin Speak and Garmin Speak Plus can be found in the FAQ Mobile Devices Compatible with the Garmin Speak and Garmin Speak Plus

Check for Updates to the Phone’s Operating System

To check for operating system updates on iOS:

  1. Open the phone's Settings menu
  2. Touch General
  3. Touch Software Update

To check for operating system updates on an Android phone, refer to your device's owners' manual.

The phone should now check for and apply any necessary system updates.

Back to top


Check for Software Updates

Check for Updates to the Software of the Garmin Speak

The Garmin Speak device will automatically search for software updates each time it boots and connects to an internet-enabled phone. The Garmin Speak device’s software version can be found on the device itself: Finding the Software Version of a Garmin Speak and Garmin Speak Plus

Check for Updates to the Garmin Drive App

Search for the Garmin Drive app in the Google Play or App Store to check for updates and apply them, if available.

The installed version number of the Garmin Drive app can be found on the phone itself if the app will not launch. See your phone's operating system below for steps to find the Garmin Drive app version: 

iOS

  1. Open the phone's Settings menu
  2. Touch General
  3. Touch iPhone Storage
  4. Touch Drive 

Android

Version 7 or older:

  1. Open the phone's Settings menu
  2. Touch Apps
  3. Touch Drive

Version 8 or newer:

  1. Open the phone's Settings menu
  2. Touch Apps or Apps & Notifications
  3. Touch App Info (Some phones skip this step)
  4. Touch Drive

The current version of the Garmin Drive app should be displayed here.

Back to top


Restart Phone and Garmin Speak

Be sure to completely restart your phone and the Garmin Speak device before proceeding. See your phone's documentation for instructions to fully restart your phone.

To Restart the Garmin Speak:

Press and hold the black dot action button for two seconds

Press the action button again when the Garmin Speak displays the prompt to turn off the device

After five seconds, press and hold the action button for two seconds

You may also restart the Garmin Speak by disconnecting it from power, waiting five seconds, then connecting it to power again.

Back to top


Re-pair by Forgetting the Device From the Phone's Bluetooth Settings

Note: There may be audio problems if you are using an auxiliary cable with the Garmin Speak while your phone is paired with another audio device in addition to the Garmin Speak. Ensure there are no other external audio devices paired with the phone when using the Garmin Speak. Use the instructions below to un-pair or forget these devices.

Steps for clearing pairing history on the phone can vary by make/model. Consult your phone's manual or manufacturer if unsure how to clear your phone's pairing history. The steps below apply to most iOS and Android phones.

To Clear the Pairing History on iOS:

  1. Open the phone's Settings menu
  2. Touch Bluetooth
  3. Touch the blue letter i with blue circle around it info button next to the paired Garmin Speak device
  4. Touch Forget this device

To Clear the Pairing History on Android:

  1. Open the phone's Settings menu
  2. Touch Connections (some phones skip this step)
  3. Touch Bluetooth
  4. Touch the Android settings gear gear icon next to your listed Garmin Speak device
    • On some Android phones, select the name of the listed Garmin Speak device instead
  5. Touch Forget / Unpair

The Garmin Speak will now be cleared from your phone's pairing history.

To re-pair a Garmin Speak and phone, see null

To re-pair a Garmin Speak Plus and phone, see null

Back to top


Clear App Cache

Clearing the Garmin Drive app cache can remove any problematic files from the phone's temporary storage.

To Clear the App Cache on Most iPhones:

  1. Double-press the iPhone's home button
  2. A list of currently running apps will appear
  3. Swipe up on the Drive app to remove it from the list and close it

To Clear the App Cache on iPhone X and Newer:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause while still pressing the screen
  2. Swipe up on the Drive app

To Clear the App Cache in Android:

  1. Open the phone's Settings menu
  2. Touch Storage (some phones skip this step)
  3. Touch Other Apps or Apps
  4. Touch Drive
  5. Touch Storage (some phones skip this step)
  6. Touch Clear Cache

The temporary files should now be cleared and the app can be re-opened.

Back to top


Uninstall and Reinstall the Garmin Drive App

It may be necessary to uninstall the Garmin Drive app from your phone and install a new version.

To Uninstall the Garmin Drive App on iOS:

  1. Touch and hold the Garmin Drive App icon
  2. Touch the X that appears in the corner of the icon

To Uninstall the Garmin Drive App on Android:

  1. Open the phone's Settings menu
  2. Touch Apps
  3. Touch the Garmin Drive App
  4. Touch Uninstall

It can be re-downloaded from Apple's App Store or the Google Play Store.

Back to top


Perform a Master Reset

A master reset will delete pairing information from the Garmin Speak device and reset its volume defaults. It will also clear any satellite data. It will not change or delete any information in the Garmin Drive app.

To Perform a Master Reset on the Garmin Speak Device:

  1. Unplug the Speak device. It should automatically turn off
  2. Plug in the device
  3. Hold down the  mute button when the Garmin logo becomes visible
  4. The Garmin logo will flash and the LED ring will turn a solid magenta. Release the mute button when this happens
  5. Hold down the  action button
  6. The LED ring will turn off and the word "LOADING" will flash. Let go of the action button when this happens
  7. Go to Bluetooth settings on the phone and remove the device from the phone's Bluetooth connections
  8. Open the Garmin Drive App and re-pair the device

The Garmin Speak device will now reset. 

Contact Product Support if you continue to experience problems after following these steps