Background Garmin iPhone Syncing in EU

Sunil Bhatt:

Thanks to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Garmin watches in the EU can now sync steps, sleep, and heart rate data automatically, even when the Garmin Connect app is closed. This removes a long-standing limitation that previously favoured the Apple Watch.

For years, Garmin users on iPhone had to manually open the Garmin Connect app just to sync their data.

Marko Maslakovic:

The changes Apple has made affect how Bluetooth and background data transfer work. It’s part of a broader push to level the playing field between Apple’s own devices and everything else. That includes watches, fitness trackers and other health gear. Apple is required to give developers access to the same communication tools its own apps use. Garmin seems to be making use of those.

There are still limits to what happens in the background, especially on iOS where battery management remains strict.

See also: Accidental Tech Podcast.

Previously:

• Apple Watch Fitness Regressions
• iOS 26.3: Notification Forwarding in EU
• iOS 26.2
• iOS 26.2 to Remove iPhone–Apple Watch Wi-Fi Sync in EU
• Apple Appeals EU Digital Markets Act Interoperability Rules
• Apple Restricts Pebble From Being Awesome With iPhones

Digital Markets Act (DMA) European Union Garmin iOS iOS 26 iOS Multitasking

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