Wifi Capabilities and Restrictions of Garmin Devices
Most modern Garmin wearables offer Wi-Fi synchronization capability together with the Fitrockr platform. When using Wi-Fi sync feature, it is important to understand its capabilities and restrictions.
Wi-Fi Sync Restrictions
Garmin devices differentiate between “Standard Data” and “Enhanced Data (so called ‘Logging Data’)”.
Standard Data is the standard data set which is always provided. It includes metrics such as steps, distance, heart rate, sleep, etc.
Logging Data is additional data that can be configured. It includes metrics such as BBI, heart rate at custom intervals, accelerometer, etc.
Logging data can add heavy load to Bluetooth syncing leading to longer sync times and in case of accelerometer/gyroscope to unstable syncs. Enable Wifi if logging data should be exclusively synced via Wifi.
Important: Only activate the feature if participants have regular access to Wifi! Once a participant has configured a Wifi in the Fitrockr App, logging data will only be synced through Wifi.
Supported Wi-Fi Standards
✅ Frequency: 2.4 GHz Only
5 GHz networks are not supported. You must have a separate 2.4 GHz band available or a mixed network that allows 2.4 GHz connections.
✅ Protocol: 802.11 b/g/n
Often referred to as “Wi-Fi 4.” Newer standards like 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) are not supported directly, though routers are usually backward compatible.
✅ Security: WPA2 Personal
This is the most reliable standard for Garmin devices. WPA3 is generally not supported or causes connection failures; stick to WPA2 for stability.
Unsupported & Problematic Networks
⚠️ 5 GHz Networks: If your router combines 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz into one name (SSID), the watch may fail to connect if the router tries to force it onto the 5 GHz band.
⚠️ Captive Portals: Networks that require you to visit a webpage to accept terms (e.g., hotels, airports, Starbucks) are not supported directly because the watch cannot open a browser to display the “I Agree” page.
⚠️ WPA2 Enterprise: Corporate networks requiring a username and password (often used in offices or universities) are not supported.
⚠️ Hidden Networks: These are supported, but you must manually type in the exact Network Name (SSID) and password during setup.