How to Sync a Garmin Forerunner Fitness Tracker

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

There are multiple ways of syncing your Garmin Wearable. Depending on which model you have your data can sync automatically over Bluetooth with your smartphone as soon the devices are in range and the activity is saved. If your Garmin device supports Wi-Fi connectivity it will sync automatically as soon as it's in range of the Wi-Fi network that you have set up with Garmin Express on the computer. If auto sync features are not available then you have to do it manually from the wearable device itself, your smartphone or your computer.

Garmin Vivosmart

2. Sync from Watch

If your Garmin device supports Wi-Fi connectivity it will sync automatically as soon as it's in range of the Wi-Fi network that you have set up in Garmin Express on the computer.

Depending on which model you have and on the button layout here's how to sync your data:

Method 1:

  1. Bring the Garmin device within 10 feet of your smartphone.
  2. Press the
Menu symbol
  1. button on side of the watch or tap the same symbol on the screen of the watch.
  2. Look for and select Sync.
  3. View your data on the Garmin Connect Mobile app.

Method 2:

  1. Bring the Garmin device within 10 feet of your smartphone.
  2. Hold the Light button to view the controls menu.
  3. Look for and select
Sync symbol
  1. .
  2. View your data on the Garmin Connect Mobile app.

3. Sync from Smartphone

  1. Bring your Garmin Wearable device within 10 feet of your smartphone.
  2. Open the Garmin Connect Mobile app on your smartphone.
Mobile app icon on phone screen


  1. Tap on More at the bottom right corner of the screen.
Mobile app main screen


  1. Go to Garmin Devices.
Mobile app more menu


  1. Select your connected Garmin device from the upper side of the screen.
Devices screen in mobile app


  1. Then go to Device Settings.
Device settings in mobile app


  1. And turn on Auto Upload.
Auto upload option in mobile app


  1. You'll see at the bottom of the screen if the device is syncing.
Sync notification at bottom of screen


  1. And you'll get a confirmation message at the bottom of the screen when the syncing was completed.
Sync complete notification

4. Sync from Computer

  1. Connect your device to the computer using the USB cable or, if your device supports it, plug in the USB ANT Stick into your computer.
  2. Open Garmin Express on your computer.
  3. Select the device you want to sync your data for.
  4. If the device is not syncing automatically then press the Sync button and wait for it to complete.
Garmin Express maine screen showing sync complete