How to connect a Garmin watch to your phone

If you’re buying a Garmin watch launched in the last few years, it should be compatible with most recent iPhones and Android phones.

Image credit: Saga Magazine

By Michael Sawh | Published - 14 Jun 2023

Follow our simple steps to get your Garmin watch setup with your smartphone.

Garmin has a pretty extensive collection of watches and all are designed to be compatible with Android phones and iPhone. If you want to know how to bring the two together, we take you through step-by-step how to do it.

Things to do first

The good news is that if you’re buying a Garmin watch that has been launched in the last few years, then it should be compatible with most recent iPhones and Android phones.

Garmin usefully outlines on its website what version of software your phone needs to be running on to be able to download the Garmin Connect phone app needed to connect your new watch to your phone.

For iPhones, you need to have a phone running on iOS 15.0 or higher. To check this, go to the Settings on your phone, press General and then About.

From here you can see the version of software your iPhone is running on. If you need to and can update your iPhone, that process is nicely explained on Apple's website. For owners of an Android phone, the phone or tablet must be running on Android 7.0 or above.

To check this, go into the Settings on your Android phone or tablet, go to About phone or tablet and scroll down and look for Android version. Google also provides a guide on how to update your Android phone (if needed) on its website.

Lastly, before you start this process, make sure your watch and phone are fully charged just in case the process takes slightly longer than usual. Though it should be relatively straightforward and quick.

Connect to an iPhone

How to connect a Garmin watch to an iPhone

Go to the Apple App Store on your phone and search for Garmin Connect. Once found, download and then tap Open when the download is complete.
Now you will be prompted to Create Account or Sign In. If you’ve owned a Garmin before you can use your existing login details to login. If it’s the first time you’re using Garmin Connect, tap Create Account.
Next, you’ll need to read and agree that you’ve read Garmin’s End User Licence Agreement.
You’ll then be asked to enter details such as your name and email address, and to create the password to be used to log into your Garmin Connect account.
Once you’ve created your Garmin Connect login you should receive an email to verify your account, sent to the email address you used to set up the account. Once you verify that, you can begin to get access to Garmin Connect.
Now inside of the app, tap the More menu in the bottom right hand corner and scroll down until you see Garmin Devices. Tap to open.
Tap Add Device and keep your Garmin watch nearby. That app should automatically detect your watch. If not, make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your phone.
If it doesn’t automatically detect your watch, you can also select from a list of Garmin’s collection of watches and try to pair it that way.
Once a connection is established, the app will send a notification to the watch that it wants to pair. Accept the connection on the watch and the pairing process will begin.
Now it’s a case of waiting as the app sets up the watch connection and it will notify you when that connection is successful.

Connect to an Android phone

How to connect a Garmin watch to an Android phone

Go to the Google Play Store app on your Android phone and search for the Garmin Connect app. Tap to download, and once downloaded tap Open to load the app.
Now the process will be similar to how we described doing this with an iPhone. You'll be prompted to Create an Account or Sign In. If you’ve owned a Garmin watch before, you can use your existing login details. First time users will need to tap Create Account.
The next screen will display Garmin’s End User Licence Agreement, which you can read and then agree to.
Enter the required details, such as name and email address, and create a password.
Keep an eye on your email account, as you should receive an email to verify your account. Once you click the verify link in that email, you can begin to get access to Garmin Connect. Make sure that the email is an official one from Garmin.
When you’ve set up an account and signed in, the app may display a prompt to Allow Connect to access your nearby devices. Tap to Allow Access to enable your watch to be synced to the Garmin Connect app.
Once in the Garmin Connect app, tap the icon with the three lines to open the app’s dropdown menu. Tap Garmin Devices and tap Add Device.
Keep your Garmin watch close to your phone and make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your phone to make sure the two can be connected.
If the app doesn’t automatically detect your watch, you can tap Browse all compatible devices, to manually search for your watch and pair it that way.
Once the app acknowledges it’s found your watch, it’ll start the pairing process by sending a vibrating notification to the watch, asking you to accept the pairing with a pin code that should be the same one on your phone screen.
From there, to complete the connection process, you just need to keep watch and phone close by and not leave or close the Garmin Connect app on your phone.

Written by: Michael Sawh

Michael is a contributor for Saga Exceptional. He’s a freelance journalist who has covered consumer technology for over a decade and specializes in wearable and fitness tech. Previously editor of Wareable, he also co-ran the features and reviews sections of T3, and has a long list of bylines in the world of consumer tech sites.

With a focus on fitness trackers, headphones, running wearables, phones, and tablet, he has written for numerous publications including Wired UK, TechRadar, GQ, Men’s Fitness, BBC Science Focus, Metro and Stuff, and has appeared on the BBC Travel Show.

Michael is a keen swimmer, a runner with a number of marathons under his belt, and is also the co-founder of YouTube channel The Run Testers.

View author page

There's an ever-growing assortment of sleep tech, including this snoring relief band by Philips

Do sleep gadgets really work?

We've got advice from the Olympic Team GB experts on the pros and cons of sleep gadgets.

A close up of a man in a white coat writing medical notes

Is the doctor's letter dead? How to use the NHS app across the UK

NHS England wants everyone to be using its app within three years - we look at the situation UK-wide and what to do if you haven't got a smart phone.

Jonathon Robinson of Bath University calibrating a set of smart scales

How accurate are smart scales?

When it comes to tracking your body composition, are smart scales accurate enough to be useful?

With an e-MTB almost anyone can explore the countryside.

Older riders are leading the surge in electric bike sales

E-MTBs – how an electric bike can get you back into the saddle.

Person running on treadmill with just below the knee showing and sunlight in the background

Treadmill vs road running – which is best?

The pros, the cons, with expert advice on whether to take your running indoors or out.

a fitness tracker and a smart watch on a green background

Fitness tracker vs smartwatch: which is right for you?

We are here to help you decide which wearable is right for you, a sleek fitness tracker or feature-packed smartwatch

How unplugging from tech can benefit your mental health

Find out all the ways that spending less time looking at screens can positively impact your mood, sleep and more.

Electric and manual toothbrushes side by side

Are electric toothbrushes better than manual brushes?

Cleaning with an electric toothbrush is much easier, especially if you have mobility problems in your hands.

Apple Fitness+ on an iPad, with a pair of trainers and a medicine ball next to it.

Is Apple Fitness+ worth it? I tried it for three months, here’s my review

There’s a lot that Apple Fitness+ does well. But also a few areas where I felt it was lacking.

Three women performing yoga twist exercises outside

Exercises for gut health: which workouts can help

Experts explain how exercise helps gut health, and the specific activities you should include in your workout routine.

a man with a water bottle looking at his fitness watch

Average 5k times for the over 50s: how does yours compare?

Your questions answered about what really is a good 5k time.

How to connect a Garmin watch to your phone

Things to do first

Connect to an iPhone

Connect to an Android phone

Written by: Michael Sawh

Related articles