In this article, we will explore the top Garmin Connect IQ apps. If you own supported Garmin smartwatches, there are several fantastic apps and watch faces you can download from the continuously growing Garmin Connect IQ store. The company opened it to third-party developers just a few years ago, allowing them to create useful apps, widgets, watch faces, and more for Garmin smartwatches.
Today, the Connect IQ store is full of apps that can help you with physical exercises, monitor health, track time, along other everyday tasks. You can add the best Garmin apps to your watch and make it your personal wrist companion.
You’re here to learn about the best Garmin apps to download from the Connect IQ store, and we’ve compiled a list of them in this guide. Keep reading to learn more about them. Just note that not all apps support all Garmin watches, but we’ve done our best to highlight some of the compatible devices with each selection.
Best Garmin Connect IQ Apps for Running and Cycling
1. F3b RunSafe+
RunSafe+ by F3b is an excellent Garmin Connect IQ app for runners and walkers, offering up to 10 different tracking profiles including trail running, stroller running, pool running, etc. The app also provides detailed data fields that you can check during workouts. You even get access to a plethora of IQ custom data, as well as features such as distance estimation for set distances, automatic laps, notification timer, overrun protection, and the ability to switch to the next running/walking session.
RunSafe+ is a paid app that requires access to motion sensor data and the functionality of your Garmin. Fortunately, it offers a free trial version so you can try it out before making a premium purchase.
Compatible devices: Fenix 3/5/6/7, Instinct 2/2S, Venu, Marq, Vivoactive 3/4/4S/HR, Forerunner 245/645, Forerunner 945, and others.
2. Strava Relative Effort
It’s quite likely that you’re already using the Strava integration on your Garmin to record your running and cycling routes. While Strava Relative Effort is a data field and not an app, it’s worth showcasing its usefulness. It utilizes your Garmin’s built-in heart rate sensor or paired external heart rate monitor to analyze your heart rate zones during intense workouts, assessing your overall effort in the form of a simple and understandable score. This ensures you get the maximum benefit from your outdoor and indoor workouts.
Compatible devices: Approach S60/S62, Descent G1/MK1/MK2, Edge, Forerunner 230/245/630/745, Forerunner 935/955, Fenix, Marq, Venu, and others.
3. Stryd Workout
Stryd, the manufacturer of the world’s first wearable power meter in the form of a foot pod, offers its workout app for Garmin Connect IQ 3.0+ watches, aptly named Stryd Workout. It allows for structured power-based training for owners of Stryd and Garmin wearables, providing various data fields exclusive to Stryd and more. Those who are already into strength training can also opt for the Stryd Zones data field, which also works with older Garmin models. However, if you’re new to strength training and want more insights, Stryd Workout will be a great addition to your Garmin app arsenal.
Compatible devices: Forerunner 245/645/935, Fenix 5/7, Marq, Rey, Tactix, Venu 2/2S/Sq., Vivoactive 3/4/4S, Quatix 6/6X, and others.
4. Learn to Run
For novice runners who have recently purchased Garmin wearables, “Learn to Run” offers a 12-week training program with three sessions per week. As you progress from the “5K or 30 minutes” program, the time for each workout gradually increases, with the goal expanding to “10K or 70 minutes,” and then to “21K and 120 minutes.” If you want to get in shape and tackle long distances during running workouts, this app will be useful. It hasn’t received updates for some time, but it’s free and supports many Garmin watches and GPS computers.
Compatible devices: D2, Forerunner, Edge, Fenix, Marq, Venu, and others.
5. Komoot
Komoot is an intuitive route planner for Garmin, allowing you to turn your next run, hike, or horseback ride into an adventure. You can choose from a wide range of pre-defined tours and start navigation directly from your Garmin wearable. Additionally, the app shows you community insights, including highly accurate routes, elevation profiles, surface types, landmarks, shops, etc. You can filter courses by activity and duration, save tours offline, and navigate them on the go. Whether you want to bike on smooth asphalt, ride mountain trails, or run on quiet paths, Komoot offers individual outdoor adventures for everyone. And if you feel like making a detour, you can replan your routes using the accompanying mobile app on Android and iOS.
Compatible devices: D2, Descent, Edge, Enduro, Forerunner 245/645/955, Fenix 5/6/7, GPSMap, Marq, Montana, Tactix, Venu 2/2S/Sq., Vivoactive 3/4/4S, and many more.
Best Garmin Connect IQ Apps for Workouts
1. 7-Minute Workout
In the 7-Minute Workout, you perform 13 heart-pumping exercises from HICT (High-Intensity Circuit Training) to elevate your cardio workout in just seven minutes. It displays your heart rate readings in real-time, a 10-second timer for rest periods after short 30-second exercises, and counts the number of calories burned. The app supports external heart rate monitors and temperature sensors, syncing your actions with your Garmin profile. If you’re a fan of high-intensity workouts, the 7-Minute Workout should be on your Garmin watch.
Compatible devices: Descent, Forerunner, Fenix 5/5S/6/6 Pro/6S/7/7S, Marq, Venu 2/2S/Sq., Vivoactive 3/4, and others.
2. SwimSports+
Almost all Garmin watches have some degree of water resistance. For swimmers, SwimSports+ by F3b is one of the best Garmin apps available in the Connect IQ store. Primarily designed for open water and pool swimming, the app offers eight different profiles, five lap passing methods, and key metrics such as average stroke rate, total strokes, distance, pace, and other data fields during your swims. Additionally, there’s a quick rest detection mode for lap swimming and a summary screen. The app also utilizes your Garmin’s heart rate, SpO2, and temperature sensors to provide additional insights into your performance. Like RunSafe+, SwimSports+ is a paid app. However, you can avail of a free trial for 15 minutes to see if it’s worth the premium.
Compatible devices: Fenix 5/6/7, Instinct 2/2S, Venu, Marq, Vivoactive 3/4/4S/HR, Forerunner 245/645/945, Venu, and others.
3. Heart Rate Zone Pie Chart and Recorder
If you’re into cardio workouts, this Garmin Connect IQ app can provide you with an alternative, simplified view of heart rate data during your training sessions. It consolidates data fields into six pie charts with color coding. Individual zones also flash, indicating the active heart rate zone and more. Moreover, it records heart rate minute by minute, supports SpO2 readings, and syncs your heart rate zone data with the Garmin Connect app. You also get an impressive amount of customization options, making the app highly useful if you want to conduct in-depth heart rate monitoring during workouts.
Compatible devices: Approach, D2, Descent, ForeAthlete 235J/735XTJ, Forerunner 235/645/935, Fenix 3/5/6/7, Marq, Venu 2/2S/Sq., Vivoactive 3/4/4S, and others.
4. Strength Training+
From the developer of RunSafe+ and SwimSports+, Strength Training+ is a must-have for Garmin owners who want to get the most out of their gym workouts. It calculates calories based on your weight depending on your workout and syncs data with the Garmin Connect mobile app. You also have the option to add or remove weight in the settings menu according to your workout needs. The calorie formula with weight adjustment is taken from the Journal of Sports Sciences and uses gender-dependent parameters, so you can rely on accurate data showing how hard you’ve trained. Strength Training+ is another premium-class Connect IQ app that offers a 10-minute trial version.
Compatible devices: Enduro, ForeAthlete 235J/630J/920XTJ, Forerunner 255/645/745/945, Fenix 3/5/5S/6/6S/7/7X, Instinct 2/2S, Marq, Venu/Venu 2, Vivoactive 3/4, and others.
Best Garmin Apps for Various Purposes
1. Spotify
Spotify, one of the largest music streaming services, is available on some Garmin wearable devices alongside Amazon Music and Deezer. It allows you to download your favorite albums, playlists, and podcasts directly to your watch for offline listening on the go. Additionally, you can browse recommended tracks tailored “For You” and access “Workout” playlists to listen to while you sweat. The only requirement is that you’ll need a Spotify Premium subscription to use the streaming app on Garmin.
Compatible devices: D2 Air/Delta/Mach, Forerunner 245 Music/645 Music/745/945/955, Fenix 5/5S/6 Pro/6S Pro/7/7S, Marq, Venu 2/2S/Sq. Music, Vivoactive 3 Music/4/4S, and more.
2. Meditate
The latest Garmin watches already offer mindfulness features. Meditate is a meditation app that adds more options to help you clear your mind. It tracks heart rate and HRV (Heart Rate Variability), monitoring your stress levels and providing vibrational alerts to guide you through a series of breathing exercises and meditation practices. Initially available only for Vivoactive 3 models, the Meditate app now works with other Garmin wearable devices.
Compatible devices: Vivoactive 3/3 Music, Forerunner 245/645/745/945, Fenix 5/6/Chronos, Marq, Venu, and others.
3. Commute Tracker
Commute Tracker allows you to track statistics related to your commutes, including total travel time, commuting time, stop time, maximum speed, etc. The app tracks and aggregates such statistics based on your usual commuting times. Once it establishes baseline data, it accurately informs you when to leave home or work with detailed charts and statistics of average commutes, making your daily trips efficient.
Compatible devices: D2 Bravo, Epix, ForeAthlete 920XTJ, Forerunner 920XT, Fenix 3/3 HR, Vivoactive.
4. Maps4Garmin
Maps4Garmin provides access to real-time map navigation on Garmin watches. The app shows your location on the map in real time using GPS and allows you to interact with the map directly on the watch screen. The app uses open street maps for cartographic data, limiting precise navigation capabilities but allowing it to be used for free. The premium feature of Maps4Garmin is the “Weather Radar,” which uses RainViewer to display weather based on radar and works in some regions. iPhone users can also install the companion app Maps4Garmin via TestFlight to sync offline maps with the app on their Garmin wearable devices.
Compatible devices: Approach S60/S62, D2, Descent, Edge, Forerunner, Fenix 5/6/7, Marq, Venu/Venu 2/Sq., Vivoactive 3/4, and others.
How to Download Top Garmin Apps from the Connect IQ Store?
Now that the Connect IQ store is available as an app for Android and iOS, downloading apps to compatible Garmin watches has never been easier. Of course, this requires logging in with your Garmin Connect account, which most of you should already have, provided you use the accompanying app to track fitness and health metrics. By connecting your Garmin wearable device to your smartphone, download the Connect IQ app from Google Play or the App Store, open it, and proceed to the initial setup screens. After signing in and connecting to your Garmin device, you’ll be able to browse Connect IQ offerings and download the best apps mentioned above.
Wrap-Up
We’ve selected the best Garmin Connect IQ apps to download from the Connect IQ Store and briefly discussed their various functionalities in this guide. Apps are not the only things you’ll find on the Garmin digital marketplace. There are also thousands of watch faces and data fields with plenty of data, as well as interactive games and useful utilities for everyday needs.
