Why Can’t I Get Messages On My Garmin Watch? (SOLVED!)

It can be frustrating if a great feature on your Garmin watch doesn’t work properly. Here’s the answer to, ‘why can’t I get messages on my Garmin watch?’

garmin watch

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Some possible reasons why you might not be receiving messages on your Garmin watch include disabled message settings, weak or intermittent connection between your phone and watch, and messaging apps which come with their own settings which override the device’s notification settings.

As a Garmin fan, I have faced this issue myself. Here, I will share with you reasons why you might not be getting messages on your Garmin watch and some ways to troubleshoot the issue.

Why Can’t I Get Messages On My Garmin Watch?

One of the reasons why you may not be getting messages on your Garmin watch is which the message settings on it may be disabled. You can enable them by navigating to the settings menu and selecting ‘Notifications.’

To do this, you need to turn on all the switches for the types of notifications you want to receive (such as texts, emails, etc.).

why can't I get messages on my garmin watch

Other causes may include, but are not limited to:

A weak or intermittent connection between your phone and watch. For this, make sure which Bluetooth or other connectivity methodology is activated on both your watch and smartphone.

Not having an active data plan or Wi-Fi connection. Without these, messages sent over the internet cannot reach your device. For instance, if you are using a cellular-enabled Garmin watch, you should consider signing up for a data plan from your wireless carrier so that messages can be sent and received without interruption.

Finally, another important reason to consider here is that some messaging apps have their own default settings which override the device’s notification settings. Double-check which these are set to your preferences, and make sure which every app you use has its notifications enabled. You may need to do this manually if the watch is not compatible with your smartphone or if there is another software issue therein.

Why Is My Garmin Watch Not Showing Text Messages?

The most common reasons why a Garmin watch may not be displaying text messages include, but may not always be limited to:

  • Not having the correct app installed on your phone,
  • Low battery power levels, or
  • Incorrect notification settings.

If you find that the issue is something other than these, you may need to contact Garmin customer service for further assistance. If your device is under warranty, you are in luck as you can simply turn in the device for a replacement or a free repair!

How Do I Turn On Messages On My Garmin?

Check Your Connectivity

Make sure your device is connected to a compatible smartphone through the Garmin Connect app or via Bluetooth. If you are not sure how to do this, refer to the user manual of your device for instructions on how to connect it to your phone or other devices.

Double-Check Your Notifications Settings

It is possible that your notification settings for your watch are set in a way in which messages are not appearing on the screen. To correct this, open the menu on your watch and select ‘Settings,’ before locating and opening the “Notification Settings” submenu. Here you can specify which notifications should appear and which should be hidden from view.

why can't I get messages on my garmin watch

Update Your Software

If your watch is running outdated software, you might not be able to see text notifications. Refer to the user manual of your device for information on how to update it, or contact Garmin’s customer service line for assistance.

Contact A Customer Service Representative

If none of the above-mentioned tips help, consider contacting customer service directly by either emailing them or calling their helpline. Explain in detail what problem you are having, and they should ideally be able to offer advice on how to fix it.

Reset Your Settings

A complete reset of your settings may also help solve the issue. You can do it by opening the menu on your watch and navigating to “Settings,” and then selecting the ‘Reset’ option. Make sure to back up any data before resetting your device.

These are some basic elements to follow, though. Other specific issues may also require specific solutions.

How Do I Get Text Alerts On My Garmin Watch?

Turning on text notifications for your Garmin watch is pretty straightforward. First, you need to make sure which Bluetooth is enabled on both your watch and your smartphone. Open up the Garmin Connect app on your device and find the “My Device” page.

Here, select your watch from the list of available devices and scroll down until you find the “Notifications” section where you can enable text messages.

Once enabled, any text messages sent to your phone will also be displayed on your watch, allowing you to quickly see who the message is from and read it without having to grab your phone. 

Note: You can also customize the settings for text notifications on your Garmin watch. In the “Notifications” section of the app, you can adjust how long the notification stays visible on screen, whether or not a sound plays when receiving a message, and if or not it should vibrate.

How Do I Get My Iphone Messages On My Garmin Watch?

To this, you will need to follow these steps:

  • You need to install the Garmin Connect app on your phone and create an account on it.
  • The app will walk you through the steps for pairing your phone with your Garmin watch.
  • Once established, you can start receiving notifications from your iPhone directly on your wrist in real time. Text messages, emails and even calendar reminders can all be sent to your watch.
  • You can also customize which apps are sending notifications so only important ones come straight through.

Key Takeaways

  • Disabled message settings can cause your Garmin watch to not receive messages.
  • Some messaging app’s settings override your device’s notification settings.
  • To turn on text notifications for your Garmin watch > My Device > Notifications.
  • You can get your iPhone messages on your Garmin watch as well.