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[Garmin Troubleshooting]
Garmin




Is my smartphone compatible with my device?
The vívosmart 3 device is compatible with smartphones using Bluetooth wireless technology.
Go to www.garmin.com/ble for compatibility information.
My phone will not connect to the device

  • Bring the device within range of your smartphone.
  • If your devices are already paired, turn Bluetooth off on both devices, and turn it back on.
  • If your devices are not paired, enable Bluetooth wireless technology on your smartphone.
  • On your smartphone, open the Garmin Connect Mobile app, select or , and select Garmin Devices > Add Device to enter pairing mode.
  • On your device, hold the touchscreen to view the menu, and select > > Pair Now to enter pairing mode.


Activity Tracking
For more information about activity tracking accuracy, go to garmin.com/ataccuracy.
My step count does not seem accurate

  • If your step count does not seem accurate, you can try these tips.
  • Wear the device on your non-dominant wrist.
  • Carry the device in your pocket when pushing a stroller or lawn mower.
  • Carry the device in your pocket when actively using your hands or arms only.


NOTE: The device may interpret some repetitive motions, such as washing dishes, folding laundry, or clapping your hands, as steps.

The step counts on my device and my Garmin Connect account don't match
The step count on your Garmin Connect account updates when you synchronize your device.
1 Select an option:

2 Wait while the device synchronizes your data. Synchronizing can take several minutes.
NOTE: Refreshing the Garmin Connect Mobile app or the Garmin Connect application does not synchronize your data or update your step count.
My stress level does not appear
Before the device can detect your stress level, wrist-based heart rate monitoring must be
turned on.
The device samples your heart rate variability throughout the day during periods of inactivity to determine your stress level. The device does not determine your stress level during timed activities.
If dashes appear instead of your stress level, be still, and wait while the device measure your heart rate variability.
My intensity minutes are flashing
When you exercise at an intensity level that qualifies toward your intensity minutes goal, the intensity minutes flash.
Exercise for at least 10 consecutive minutes at a moderate or vigorous intensity level.
The floors climbed amount does not seem accurate

  • Your device uses an internal barometer to measure elevation changes as you climb floors. A floor climbed is equal to 3 m (10 ft.).
  • Locate the small barometer holes on the back of the device, near the charging contacts, and clean the area around the charging contacts.
  • The barometer performance may be affected if the barometer
  • holes are obstructed. You can rinse the device with water to
  • clean the area.
  • After cleaning, allow the device to dry completely.
  • Avoid holding handrails or skipping steps while climbing stairs.
  • In windy environments, cover the device with your sleeve or jacket as strong gusts can cause erratic readings.


Tips for Erratic Heart Rate Data
If the heart rate data is erratic or does not appear, you can try these tips.

  • Clean and dry your arm before putting on the device.
  • Avoid wearing sunscreen, lotion, and insect repellent under the device.
  • Avoid scratching the heart rate sensor on the back of the device.
  • Wear the device above your wrist bone. The device should be snug but comfortable.
  • Warm up for 5 to 10 minutes and get a heart rate reading before starting your activity.

NOTE: In cold environments, warm up indoors.
My device does not display the correct time
The device updates the time and date when you sync your device to a computer or mobile device. You should sync your device to receive the correct time when you change time zones, and to update for daylight saving time.
1 Confirm that your computer or mobile device displays the correct local time.
2 Select an option:

The time and date are updated automatically.
Maximizing Battery Life
Turn off the Auto Activity Detection setting (Device Settings on Your Garmin Connect Account).
Decrease the screen brightness and timeout (Display Settings).
Turn off wrist gestures (Display Settings).
In your smartphone notification center settings, limit the notifications that appear on your vívosmart 3 device (Managing Notifications).
Turn off smart notifications (Bluetooth Settings).
Turn off Bluetooth wireless technology when you are not using connected features (Bluetooth Settings).
Stop broadcasting heart rate data to paired Garmin devices (Broadcasting Heart Rate Data to Garmin® Devices).
Turn off wrist-based heart rate monitoring (Wrist Heart Rate Monitor Settings).
NOTE: Wrist-based heart rate monitoring is used to calculate vigorous intensity minutes, VO2 max., stress level, and calories burned.
Restoring All Default Settings
You can restore all of the device settings back to the factory default values.
NOTE: This deletes all user-entered information and activity history.
1 Hold the touchscreen to view the menu.
2 Select > > Restore Defaults >.
Product Updates
On your computer, install Garmin Express (www.garmin.com/express). On your smartphone, install the Garmin ConnectMobile app.
This provides easy access to these services for Garmin devices:

  • Software updates
  • Data uploads to Garmin Connect
  • Product registration


Updating the Software Using Garmin Express
Before you can update your device software, you must download and install the Garmin Express application and add your device (Syncing Your Data with Your Computer).
1 Connect the device to your computer using the USB cable. When new software is available, the Garmin Express application sends it to your device.
2 After the Garmin Express application finishes sending the update, disconnect the device from your computer. Your device installs the update.
Updating the Software Using Garmin Connect Mobile
Before you can update your device software using the Garmin Connect Mobile app, you must have a Garmin Connect account, and you must pair the device with a compatible smartphone (Turning On and Setting Up the Device).
Sync your device with the Garmin Connect Mobile app (Syncing Your Data with the Garmin Connect Mobile App).
When new software is available, the Garmin Connect Mobile app automatically sends the update to your device. The update is applied when you are not actively using the device. When the update is complete, your device restarts.

Other Topics
Syncing Your Data with Your Computer
Before you can sync your data with the Garmin Connect application on your computer, you must install the Garmin Express™ application (Setting Up Garmin Express).
1 Connect the device to your computer using the USB cable.
2 Open the Garmin Express application. The device enters mass storage mode.
3 Follow the on-screen instructions.
4 View your data on your Garmin Connect account.
Setting Up Garmin Express
1 Connect the device to your computer using a USB cable.
2 Go to www.garmin.com/express.
3 Follow the on-screen instructions.
Syncing Your Data with the Garmin Connect Mobile App
Your device automatically syncs data with the Garmin Connect Mobile app each time you open the app. Your device periodically syncs data with the Garmin Connect Mobile app automatically. You can also manually sync your data at any time.
1 Bring the device near your smartphone.
2 Open the Garmin Connect Mobile app.
TIP: The app can be open or running in the background.
3 Hold the touchscreen to view the menu.
4 Select .
5 Wait while your data syncs.
6 View your current data in the Garmin Connect Mobile app.
Device Settings on Your Garmin Connect Account
From your Garmin Connect account, select Device Settings.
Activity Tracking: Turns activity tracking features on and off, such as the move alert.
Alarms: Sets alarm clock times and frequencies for your device. You can set up to eight separate alarms.
Auto Activity Detection: Turns on and off Move IQ events. You can specify how long to wait before the device automatically starts the timer for specific activities.
NOTE: This setting decreases battery life.
Gesture: Sets the backlight to turn on for wrist gestures. Gestures include rotating your wrist toward your body to view the device.
Watch Face: Allows you to select the watch face.
Home Widget: Sets the widget that appears after a period of inactivity.
Language: Sets the device language.
Screen Orientation: Sets the device to display data in landscape or portrait format.
Time Format: Sets the device to display time in a 12-hour or 24- hour format.
Timeout: Sets the length of time before the backlight turns off.
NOTE: A longer timeout decreases battery life.
Units: Sets the device to display the distance traveled in kilometers or miles.
Visible Widgets: Allows you to customize the widgets that appear on your device.
Wrist Worn On: Allows you to customize which wrist the device is worn on.
NOTE: This setting is used for strength training and gestures.
Display Settings
Hold the touchscreen to view the menu, and select > .
Brightness: Sets the brightness level of the screen. You can use the Auto option to automatically adjust the brightness based on the ambient light. You can select or to manually adjust the brightness level.
NOTE: A higher brightness level decreases battery life.
Timeout: Sets the length of time before the screen turns off.
NOTE: A longer screen timeout decreases battery life.
Gesture: Sets the screen to turn on for wrist gestures. Gestures include rotating your wrist toward your body to view the device. You can use the Activity Only option to use gestures only during timed activities.
Orientation: Sets the device to display data in landscape or portrait format.
Managing Notifications
You can use your compatible smartphone to manage notifications that appear on your vívosmart 3 device.
Select an option:

  • If you are using an Apple® smartphone, use the notifications settings on your smartphone to select the items to show on the device.
  • If you are using a smartphone with Android™, from the Garmin Connect Mobile app, select Settings > Smart Notifications.


Bluetooth Settings
Hold the touchscreen to view the menu, and select > . Your Bluetooth connection status appears.
: Turns Bluetooth wireless technology on and off.
NOTE: Other Bluetooth settings appear only when Bluetooth wireless technology is enabled.
: Allows you to enable phone notifications from your compatible smartphone. You can use the Calls Only option to display notifications for only incoming phone calls.
Pair Now: Allows you to pair your device with a compatible Bluetooth enabled smartphone. This setting allows you to use Bluetooth connected features using the Garmin Connect Mobile app, including notifications and activity uploads to Garmin Connect.
Broadcasting Heart Rate Data to Garmin® Devices
You can broadcast your heart rate data from your vívosmart 3 device and view it on paired Garmin devices. For example, you can broadcast your heart rate data to an Edge® device while cycling, or to a VIRB action camera during an activity.
NOTE: Broadcasting heart rate data decreases battery life.
1 Hold the touchscreen to view the menu.
2 Select > > . The vívosmart 3 device starts broadcasting your heart rate data.
NOTE: You can view only the heart rate monitoring screen while broadcasting heart rate data.
3 Pair your vívosmart 3 device with your Garmin ANT+® compatible device.
NOTE: The pairing instructions differ for each Garmin compatible device. See your owner's manual.
4 Tap the heart rate monitoring screen, and select to stop broadcasting your heart rate data.
Wrist Heart Rate Monitor Settings
Hold the touchscreen to view the menu, and select .
: Allows you to turn the wrist heart rate monitor on or off. You can use the Activity Only option to use the wrist heart rate monitor only during timed activities.
: Allows you to start broadcasting heart rate data to paired Garmin devices (Broadcasting Heart Rate Data to Garmin® Devices).
Turning On and Setting Up the Device
Before you can use your device, you must plug it into a power source to turn it on. To use the connected features of the vívosmart 3 device, it must be paired directly through the Garmin Connect™ Mobile app, instead of from the Bluetooth® settings on your smartphone.
1 From the app store on your smartphone, install the Garmin Connect Mobile app.
2 Pinch the sides of the charging clip to open the arms on the clip.
3 Align the clip with the contacts , and release the arms of the clip.
4 Plug the USB cable into a power source to turn on the device (Charging the Device).
Hello! appears when the device turns on.
5 Select an option to add your device to your Garmin Connect account:

  • If this is the first device you have paired with the Garmin Connect Mobile app, follow the on-screen instructions.
  • If you have already paired another device with the Garmin Connect Mobile app, from the or menu, select Garmin Devices > Add Device, and follow the on-screen instructions. After you pair successfully, a message appears, and your device syncs automatically with your smartphone.


Charging the Device
1 Pinch the sides of the charging clip to open the arms on the clip.
2 Align the clip with the contacts , and release the arms of the clip.
3 Plug the USB cable into a power source.
4 Charge the device completely.

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