Garmin says it has fixed a frustrating connectivity problem that left many smartwatch owners unable to reliably connect their devices to the Garmin Connect app on iPhone.
Over the past few days, iOS users reported that a recent Garmin Connect update introduced a bug that interfered with normal pairing and syncing. Complaints surfaced across community discussions from owners of several popular models, suggesting the issue wasn’t limited to a single watch. Among the devices mentioned were the Garmin Fenix 8, Venu 4, and Forerunner 970.
The good news: Garmin has now publicly acknowledged the problem and confirmed it’s been resolved with Garmin Connect for iOS version 5.21.1. The update is available through the Apple App Store in multiple countries, and it’s intended to restore normal smartwatch-to-iPhone connectivity.
That said, some users say installing version 5.21.1 doesn’t instantly fix the connection on its own. If your watch still won’t sync properly after updating, Garmin advises taking an extra step: manually removing the existing connection and then pairing the watch with your iPhone again. Garmin provides an official step-by-step walkthrough for the process on its support resources, and most users should be able to complete it quickly.
At the moment, there don’t appear to be additional new features or broader improvements included in Garmin Connect iOS version 5.21.1 beyond resolving this connectivity issue. For iPhone users who depend on Garmin Connect for syncing workouts, health stats, and notifications, updating the app and re-pairing if needed should be the fastest route back to normal.
