---
title: "Connect to Garmin (Android)"
description: "Learn how to connect Treekly to your Garmin Connect app"
url: https://help.treekly.org/en/articles/20-connect-to-garmin-android
collection: "Connecting your steps to Treekly App"
updated: 2026-09-20
language: en
alternates: [es]
---

# Connect to Garmin (Android)

Learn how to connect Treekly to your Garmin Connect app

You will notice there are a choice of **two Garmin icons** in the Treekly app to chose from.

The Garmin icon with the heart symbol in the corner refers to **Health Connect**. This is Google's "bridge" allowing 3rd parties (such as Treekly) to request your steps data, subject to your permissions. It is our recommendation out of the two.

The other Garmin icon in Treekly (without a symbol) is configured to use **Terra** as the "bridge". Terra are one of Treekly’s approved partners. The Terra option is available as a back-up alternative. To use it [click here](https://help.treekly.org/en/articles/7-connect-to-garmin-via-terra.md)

## **(Recommended) Connect Garmin → Health Connect**

Follow these **4 Key Steps**, in order:

* * *

### **Step 1. Set Permissions**

1.  Open **Garmin Connect**
    
2.  Tap the **More (⋮) icon** (three dots or lines) in the bottom-right corner and press **Settings**
    
3.  Scroll to **Connected Apps** section and press **Health Connect**
    
4.  Press **Get Started** or **Connect** to open system permissions
    
5.  Scroll to Allowed to write section and toggle on:
    
    -   ✅ **Steps**
        
    -   ✅ **Distance**
        
6.  Press **Allow** or **Done** to save changes
    

NOTE: If you are using **Android 9 – 13 (API 28–33),** you will first need to **install the** [**Health Connect**](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.healthdata&hl=en&gl=US) **app**. Android 14 (API 34) or higher already has Health Connect built in as standard.

* * *

### **Step 2. Remove Battery Restrictions**

Your phone may be blocking background syncing of steps.

1.  Go to your phone’s main **Settings**
    
2.  Select **Apps → Garmin Connect**
    
3.  Tap **Battery** and select **Unrestricted**
    

* * *

### **Step 3. Set Garmin as #1 Data Source**

Garmin Connect must be the **top data source**, otherwise steps may not sync.

1.  Open **Garmin Connect** > **More (⋮)** **\> Settings**
    
2.  Scroll to **Connected Apps** section and press **Health Connect**
    
3.  Scroll to **Manage data** section
    
4.  Select **Data sources & priority**
    
5.  Move **Garmin Connect** to the **top of the list**
    

_(On some phones: tap Edit or use the ⋮ menu to reorder)_

* * *

### **Step 4. Remove other providers as Data Sources (recommended)**

For example, your phone will be a Steps Source. To remove it:

1.  Open **Garmin Connect** \> **More (⋮)** **\> Settings**
    
2.  Scroll to **Connected Apps** section and press **Health Connect**
    
3.  Scroll to **Preferences** section and press **Devices**
    
4.  Tap your specific phone (e.g., "Samsung Galaxy S24")
    
5.  Toggle off **Steps**
    

* * *

**And, now….**

## **Connect Treekly → Garmin (via Health Connect)**

1.  Open the **Treekly app**
    
2.  On the Home screen, tap the 🔗 **link icon** next to your steps
    
3.  Select **Garmin Connect** (with blue & black heart icon)
    
4.  When prompted, allow Treekly to **read**:
    
    -   ✅ Steps
        
    -   ✅ Distance
        
5.  Tick **“I’m ready for Treekly to connect”**
    
6.  Tap **Connect**
    

* * *

## **🚨** **Troubleshooting**

### **Double-Check Permissions (Common Issue)**

Make sure, in Health Connect:

-   Garmin can **write** Steps & Distance
    
-   Treekly can **read** Steps & Distance
    

If either is missing, syncing will fail.

### **Make Sure You Have Recent Activity**

Health Connect only syncs **existing recorded data**.

-   Open Garmin
    
-   Walk a few steps
    
-   Manually trigger a sync (swipe down)
    

### **Force a One-Time Sync Reset**

This helps “kick-start” syncing if it’s stuck.

**(A) – Reset permissions**

1.  Go to **Garmin → Settings → Health Connect**
    
2.  Tap **App permissions**
    
3.  Select **Garmin**
    
4.  Toggle **Allow all** → OFF
    
    -   Ensure **Steps** is OFF
        

**(B) – Restart your phone**

**(C) – Re-enable permissions**

1.  Go back to:
    
    -   Garmin → Settings → Health Connect → App permissions → Garmin
        
2.  Toggle **Allow all** → ON
    

**(D) – Trigger a sync**

1.  Open **Garmin**
    
2.  Walk a few steps
    
3.  Swipe down firmly from the **middle of the screen** (not the top)
    
    -   You should see **“Syncing”**
        

**(E) – Refresh Treekly**

1.  Open **Treekly**
    
2.  Tap the **calendar icon**
    
3.  Tap the **refresh button** (next to “This week”)
    

* * *

## **How to find/use Health Connect** 

**Android 14 (API 34) or higher**

-   Health Connect is built into your phone.
    
-   **Important:** Make sure the standalone _Health Connect app is uninstalled_ from the Google Play Store to avoid conflicts.
    
-   If you see **“Install” or “Update”**, it means it is not installed (this is correct).
    

**Android 9 – 13 (API 28–33)**

-   You must **install the** [**Health Connect**](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.healthdata&hl=en&gl=US) **app** before syncing steps.
    

**Android 8.1 or lower**

-   ❌ Not supported.
    

How do I check my Android version? Find out [here](https://support.google.com/android/answer/7680439?hl=en-GB).

* * *

We're happy to help if you're running into any problems syncing your steps data to Treekly. You can contact our support team by emailing [**team@treekly.org**](mailto:help@treekly.org)