Garmin's sync article describes the symptoms: daily steps not updating, activities missing from your account and old weather. It also gives the proof it works: a green dot at the top of the Garmin Connect Home screen and a syncing animation beside the watch image when you open the app. Before advanced steps confirm Bluetooth is on for both phone and watch, that the phone has an internet connection, and that Garmin Connect's service status shows no outage.
Then try the steps in order, checking after each: restart both devices, check for Battery Saver or Stealth modes that disable wireless connections, then remove the watch from the Garmin Connect app and from the phone's Bluetooth menu and add it again. On Garmin Connect 5.21 and newer, removing it in the app can remove it from the phone's Bluetooth menu as well. Garmin's Bluetooth article adds: make sure the watch is not paired to more than one phone and that software and the app are current.
Differential
Likely causes of “Garmin watches will not sync activity or data”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Bluetooth or internet is off
What separates it There is no sync animation and the steps stay old because Bluetooth or the internet is off
How to confirm Turn Bluetooth on and check the phone has a cellular or Wi-Fi signal
- 2
A Garmin Connect service outage
What separates it The sync fails for everyone because of a Garmin Connect service outage
How to confirm Check the Garmin Connect status page, and wait if there is an outage
- 3
Battery Saver or Stealth mode is on
What separates it The watch never connects because Battery Saver or Stealth mode is on
How to confirm Turn the mode off, and then sync again
- 4
A broken pairing
What separates it The watch appears paired but does not sync because of a broken pairing
How to confirm Remove and re-add the watch in Garmin Connect
- 5
A calendar filter hides items
What separates it Activities are synced but not visible because a calendar filter hides items
How to confirm Change the calendar filter categories, and look again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether a green dot shows in Garmin Connect and whether a syncing animation appears
- Whether steps, activities, weather or all data are missing
- The phone model and Garmin Connect version
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the basics
ReversibleBluetooth on for the phone and watch, and a working internet connection on the phone.
Check service status
ReversibleCheck service status, by looking at the Garmin Connect status page for outages, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Restart both
ReversibleRestart both, by turning the watch off and on and restarting the phone, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check power modes
ReversibleCheck power modes, by turning Battery Saver and Stealth Mode off on the watch, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Remove and re-add
ReversibleRemove the watch from the Garmin Connect app and the phone's Bluetooth menu, then add it again.
Check the calendar filter
ReversibleCheck the calendar filter, and in Garmin Connect, Calendar, Filter, make sure that the categories you want are ticked.
Contact Garmin
ReversibleContact Garmin, and if it still will not sync, contact Garmin Support with the serial number.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Connectivity by model
- Garmin's owner's manuals list 2.4 GHz wireless on the fēnix 8, Forerunner 965 and 265, Venu 3, vívoactive 5, Instinct 2 series and Approach S70.
- Media storage
- Garmin's manuals list up to 32 GB of media storage on the Forerunner 965 and up to 8 GB on the Forerunner 265.
- Repair cost
- Reconnecting costs nothing. A watch that will not sync by Bluetooth or USB after a re-pair is a hardware fault; WalkingSolar quotes about $50 to $80 for a Garmin battery replacement and Joe's Gaming and Electronics charges a $50 diagnostic fee if you decline a quote.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models epix Pro (Gen 2), Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265, Venu 3/3S, vívoactive 5, Instinct 2X Solar, S70.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the watch never syncs after re-pairing on a second phone, contact Garmin Support
- !If only some activities are missing, check filters and Garmin Connect status first
- !If the watch cannot connect over USB either, contact Garmin
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Symptoms, the green dot, restart, power modes and remove and re-add.
The checklist for the watch and the phone.
How to pair again through the app.
Calendar filters that hide synced items.
The company and its wearables line.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I know it is syncing?+
Garmin says look for a green dot at the top of the app's Home screen and a syncing animation beside your watch image.
Why are my steps not updating?+
Usually Bluetooth is off, the watch is disconnected or Battery Saver is on. Restart and reconnect.
Why are my activities missing?+
They may not have synced, or the calendar filter may hide them. Check both.
Will removing the watch delete activities?+
Unsynced activities may be lost if the watch is reset; sync before removing.
Does the phone need internet?+
Yes, Garmin Connect needs a cellular or Wi-Fi signal to sync.
Can I sync over USB?+
Yes, with Garmin Express on a computer.
Why is my weather old?+
The watch has not synced, per Garmin's symptoms list.
Does restarting help?+
Garmin lists restarting both devices as the first fix.
What if two phones are paired?+
Disconnect one; Garmin says to confirm the watch is not paired to more than one phone.