Garmin + Paceline Guide

Modified on Tue, 13 Jan at 10:13 AM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What Garmin activity counts toward Paceline eHR Minutes?
Linking your Garmin watch to Paceline
Why doesn’t my workout length match my Paceline Minutes?
- Why isn’t my Garmin activity data syncing to Paceline?
- Troubleshooting Missing Activity Data
  - Quick Fixes
  - Advanced Phone Sync Troubleshooting

What Garmin activity counts toward Paceline eHR Minutes?

For Garmin watch users, Paceline eHR Minutes are based on Garmin’s Intensity Minutes - the time you spend doing moderate or vigorous activity for 10+ continuous minutes, as measured by your heart rate. For swimming, only Garmin watches equipped with an optical heart rate monitor will capture Intensity Minutes for swimming activities.

This means:

Your Garmin device must have a functioning heart rate monitor
You must select start and track the workout on your Garmin device
Only heart rate–validated intensity activity counts
Manually logged workouts do not count
Only data that syncs to your Garmin Connect account will appear in Paceline

Linking your Garmin watch to Paceline

Follow these steps to connect your device:

Tap Profile (upper right)
Tap Linked Fitness Devices
Select Garmin
Sign in to your Garmin Connect account
Tap Authorize App

Did you get a new Garmin watch?

If your new watch is connected to the same Garmin Connect account, nothing additional is required.

Did you get a new Phone?

When you get a new Phone, the Paceline app is automatically transferred over and typically, you don't have to do anything else. In some edge cases, permissions might need to be reauthorized. If your Garmin is syncing with your new phone but not with Paceline, please follow these steps to reauthorize data sharing permissions:

Delete and reinstall the Paceline app
Unlink and relink Garmin:
- Profile → Linked Fitness Devices → Garmin → Sign in → Allow All

Trying to connect a Garmin product that isn't a watch or HR monitor?

Some Garmin products, especially bike computers/trip computers, will not work with Paceline. Only Garmin watches or compatible HR straps that utilize Intensity Minutes are supported.

Not seeing the Garmin login screen?

Often caused by Safari caching issues:

Open Settings → Safari
Tap Advanced
Tap Website Data
Search for garmin.com → swipe left → Delete
Re-attempt linking via Paceline

Why doesn’t my workout length match my Paceline Minutes?

Your Garmin workout time ≠ Intensity Minutes.

Intensity Minutes only capture time your heart rate is high enough and consistent enough to qualify as moderate/vigorous activity.

Why isn’t my Garmin activity data syncing to Paceline?

If your Garmin activity isn’t appearing in Paceline worry not — it’s usually a simple permissions or network issue. The steps below will help refresh the connection between Paceline and your devices, so your effort is recognized and counted toward your progress.

Required Settings (iPhone)

In order for Paceline to work, you must enable the following settings on your iPhone:

Install the Garmin Connect app on your phone
Settings → Bluetooth → ON
Why: Garmin syncs to Garmin Connect via Bluetooth before syncing data to Paceline
Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth → Garmin Connect → ON
Why: This allows Garmin Connect to communicate with your device
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Garmin Connect → While Using the App
Why: Enabling locations allow Garmin to sync complete workout data more reliably
Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Garmin Connect → ON
Why: This ensures Garmin can update your activity data smoothly, even when the app isn't open.

Required Settings (Android)

In order for Paceline to work, you must enable the following settings on your Android:

Install the Garmin Connect app on your phone
Settings → Bluetooth → ON
Why: Garmin syncs to the Garmin Connect app via Bluetooth before syncing data to Paceline
Settings → Apps → Garmin Connect → Permissions → Allow all
Why: These permissions allow Garmin Connect to receive activity data from your device and upload it to Garmin’s servers
Settings →Apps → Garmin Connect → Battery → Unrestricted (or Allow background usage)
Why: This ensures Garmin can update your activity data smoothly, even when the app isn't open.

Tips to improve reliability

Keep your Garmin and phone paired, connected, and in proximity
Leave Bluetooth ON, especially during workouts
Open Paceline at least once a week to help maintain background sync priority
Garmin weeks default to Sunday–Saturday, but Paceline weeks run Monday 00:00 → Sunday 23:59 (your local time), you can change Garmin’s week to start on Monday in your Garmin Connect settings menu.

Troubleshooting Missing Activity Data

Quick Fixes

Update your phone and Garmin device to the latest software version
Confirm that all Required Settings above are enabled
Open Paceline and keep it open in the foreground for 3–5 minutes on a strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection (this is important)
On the Activity tab, tap and pull down to refresh the data — If your activity appears, you're good to go. If not, continue below

Advanced Phone Sync Troubleshooting

Delete and reinstall the Paceline app on your phone
Re-enable all Required Settings
Make sure your phone and Garmin are charged to at least 50% battery
Reconnect Garmin:
- Paceline → Profile → Linked Fitness Devices → Garmin → tap to Unlink → Re-link
Open Paceline and let it sit in the foreground for several minutes to complete a sync
On the Activity tab, tap and pull down to refresh the data

If your activity still doesn’t appear after 24 hours, please contact us with a screenshot of the missing Intensity Minutes or Workouts from your Garmin app. We’ll investigate from our side and help you get back up and running.