Garmin makes some of the best fitness watches on the market, but if you're an iPhone user, you might want your data in Apple Health too. The good news: Garmin Connect syncs directly with Apple Health, giving you the best of both worlds.
This integration lets you use your Garmin data with any app that connects to Apple Health—including step challenge apps like WeMove, nutrition trackers, and health dashboards.
How to Connect Garmin to Apple Health
Install Garmin Connect on Your iPhone
Download Garmin Connect from the App Store if you haven't already. This is Garmin's official app that manages your watch data.
💡 Tips:
- •Make sure you have the latest version
- •Sign in to your Garmin account
Open Garmin Connect Settings
Tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top left corner, then scroll down and tap 'Settings'.
💡 Tips:
- •You can also access settings from your profile
Find Apple Health Connection
In Settings, scroll to find 'Apple Health' or look under 'Connected Apps'. Tap on it to open the connection options.
💡 Tips:
- •On some versions, it may be under 'Third-Party Apps'
Enable Data Sharing
Toggle on the data types you want to share with Apple Health. We recommend enabling: Steps, Heart Rate, Workouts, Sleep, and Calories.
💡 Tips:
- •Enable all categories for full fitness tracking
- •You can always adjust these later
Authorize in Apple Health
Apple Health will open and ask you to confirm which data Garmin Connect can write. Tap 'Allow All' or select specific categories.
💡 Tips:
- •Check 'Steps' is enabled for step challenge apps
- •Heart rate enables resting HR tracking
Sync Your Data
Open Garmin Connect and wait for it to sync with your watch. Then check Apple Health to see your data appearing.
💡 Tips:
- •First sync may take a few minutes
- •Data syncs automatically going forward
What Data Syncs from Garmin to Apple Health?
Garmin Connect can share most of your fitness data with Apple Health. Here's what transfers:
Steps
Daily step count syncs automatically
Heart Rate
Resting HR and workout HR
Workouts
Running, cycling, swimming, etc.
Sleep
Sleep duration and stages
Calories
Active and resting calories
Distance
Walking and running distance
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Data not syncing to Apple Health
- Make sure Garmin Connect has permission in iPhone Settings → Privacy → Health
- Force close and reopen Garmin Connect
- Check that your Garmin watch has synced to the app first
- Toggle the Apple Health connection off and on again
Steps showing double in Apple Health
- Open Apple Health → Browse → Steps → Data Sources & Access
- Prioritize Garmin Connect over iPhone as your step source
- Disable step tracking from duplicate sources
Historical data not appearing
- Garmin only syncs data from after the connection is established
- Manually export older data from Garmin Connect website if needed
- Some data types may have sync limitations
Using Garmin with WeMove Step Challenges
Once your Garmin is syncing to Apple Health, you can use WeMove for team step challenges. Here's how it works:
- 1Set up Garmin → Apple Health sync
Follow the steps above to connect your devices
- 2Download WeMove app
Available on iOS App Store
- 3Connect WeMove to Apple Health
Allow WeMove to read your step data
- 4Join or create a step challenge
Your Garmin steps will automatically count!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Garmin sync automatically with Apple Health?
Yes, once set up, Garmin Connect automatically syncs your data to Apple Health whenever the app refreshes. This typically happens when you open the app or when your watch syncs.
Which Garmin watches work with Apple Health?
All Garmin watches that sync with Garmin Connect can share data with Apple Health. This includes Forerunner, Fenix, Venu, Vivoactive, Vivosmart, Instinct, and more.
Can I sync Garmin to Apple Health on iPad?
Apple Health is only available on iPhone, not iPad. You'll need an iPhone to use the Garmin-Apple Health integration.
Why aren't my Garmin steps showing in Apple Health?
Check that: 1) Garmin Connect has permission to write to Apple Health, 2) Your watch has synced to Garmin Connect, 3) The Apple Health toggle is enabled in Garmin Connect settings.
Does historical Garmin data sync to Apple Health?
Unfortunately, Garmin only syncs data from after you enable the Apple Health connection. Historical data won't transfer automatically.