Before you start
This guide is for Android phones only. Health Connect isn't available on iPhone; if you're on iOS and Garmin isn't syncing, see Syncing Garmin with Apple Health and GoChallenge.
You'll need Garmin Connect and GoChallenge on the same phone. On Android 15 and later (Health Connect is already built in).
It takes about three minutes. Your steps already logged in GoChallenge stay where they are.
Why this works
Garmin talks to GoChallenge in two ways: directly, or through Health Connect. When the direct connection misbehaves; usually showing as a different count on steps completed; the Health Connect route gives Garmin a second path in. Same steps, different road.
Step 1: Let Health Connect read your Garmin data
Open Garmin Connect.
Tap More in the main menu.
Tap Settings, then Connected Apps.
Tap Health Connect.
You'll be asked to allow Garmin Connect to access your fitness and wellness data. Tap Allow all. If you'd rather be selective, switch on Steps; that's what your challenges run on.
You'll land back on the Health Connect screen. Garmin is now sharing with Health Connect.
Step 2: Put Garmin at the top of the list
Your phone also counts steps on its own. If it sits above Garmin in the priority list, GoChallenge will read your phone's step count instead of your watch's. This step stops that.
On the same screen, tap Health Connect settings at the bottom.
Scroll down and tap Manage data.
Tap Data sources and priority.
Using the edit controls, drag Garmin Connect to the top of the list.
Garmin is now your priority source.
Step 3: Switch your tracker in GoChallenge
Open GoChallenge.
Go to Profile → Settings → Manage Tracker.
If Garmin Connect is listed as connected, tap it and select Disconnect. Your existing step totals and challenge progress stay recorded.
Tap Health Connect in the tracker list.
Health Connect connects straight away and your sync starts from there.
Step 4: Check it worked
On the GoChallenge home screen, swipe down to force a sync.
Give it time. Garmin can take 15 minutes or more to pass today's steps through, and longer if your watch hasn't synced to Garmin Connect recently. Open Garmin Connect first and check today's step count is showing there; if Garmin doesn't have it, Health Connect can't pass it on.
If today's steps arrive but earlier days are still blank, that's a separate setting. Follow Turn On Historical Data In Garmin to bring your past days across.
Still not syncing?
Message us in the app with your phone model, your Android version and your watch model. If you'd rather go back to the direct connection, repeat Step 3 and pick Garmin Connect from the tracker list.
Related
Syncing Garmin with GoChallenge — the direct connection
Set your step data priority in Health Connect — more detail on Step 2