Watch keeps disconnecting from your phone – what to do?
If your watch keeps switching between „connected" and „disconnected", or notifications don't reach the watch, the cause is usually in your phone's settings. Phones try to save battery and shut down apps running in the background – including Garmin Connect.
Android phone
- Battery saving exception: in your phone settings open Apps → Garmin Connect → Battery and select „Unrestricted" / „Don't optimise". Depending on the phone manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.), the setting may be in a slightly different place.
- Turn off „sleeping apps" or a similar feature for Garmin Connect.
- Make sure Garmin Connect has permission for Bluetooth, location and notifications.
iPhone
- Open Settings → Garmin Connect and make sure Bluetooth and Background App Refresh are enabled.
- Don't close the Garmin Connect app from the app switcher – it needs to run in the background.
- Check that notifications are allowed and that „Focus" mode isn't blocking them.
General steps
- Update Garmin Connect and the watch software to the latest version.
- Restart both the phone and the watch.
- If the problem persists, pair the watch again: remove the watch from Garmin Connect, also remove it from your phone's list of Bluetooth devices, and then add the watch again in Garmin Connect.
A brief disconnection is normal
If your phone is more than about 10 metres from the watch or behind walls, the connection drops and restores itself once you're close again. It's a problem if the connection drops even when the phone is in your pocket.
Didn't help?
Write to us at abi@gpseesti.ee (include your phone model and watch model) or bring your watch and phone to our Tondi store (Pärnu mnt 110, Tallinn).
