Smartphone Link works with select Bluetooth® enabled Garmin navigation devices, including most products from the following product categories:
• Garmin Drive™, Garmin DriveSmart™, Garmin DriveAssist™, Garmin DriveLuxe™ automotive navigators
• Garmin RV and Camper navigators
• zūmo motorcycle navigators
• dēzl lorry navigators
• some nüvi automotive navigators (3597/3598/2x17/2x18/2x97/2x98/2x67/2x68/2577)
Check garmin.com/spl for a detailed list of compatible Garmin devices.
Some models require a software update, available at garmin.com/express
Smartphone Link allows you to connect a compatible Garmin navigator and your iPhone®. Once linked, the compatible Garmin navigator uses your existing mobile data plan[1] to share information with your iPhone, including contacts, search results, favourite locations, your driving destination and even your parking spot. With Smartphone Link, your compatible Garmin navigator can also access Garmin Live Services[2] for useful, real-time driving information.
What Are Garmin Live Services?
Garmin Live Services provide the most up-to-date "live" information to your Garmin navigator using your existing mobile data plan. There's no need for an additional data connection. Some services are included when you connect to Smartphone Link. Other services within the app are available through optional paid subscriptions offering premium content and enhanced features. To receive data relevant to your location, Garmin Live Services require that your current GPS location be shared with Garmin and Garmin partners.
Included Live Services:
• Address sharing - Send locations and online search results from your phone to your compatible Garmin navigator and navigate there
• Garmin Live Traffic
Avoid delays and find detours with the best-in-class real-time information. Garmin Live Traffic is updated every minute and receives more than 1000 messages every update cycle
• Live Parking[3]
Save time and take the stress out of parking. View helpful parking information, including pricing and availability trends for on-street public parking, as you approach your destination.
• Weather - View forecasts and current conditions
• Last Mile - Remembers your parking spot and shows your destination, so you can find your way on foot and back again
Premium Live Services, available for a one-time[4] purchase within the app, include:
• photoLive traffic cameras[2]
Look up live photos from over 10,000 traffic cameras to see traffic and weather conditions
• Advanced Weather[2]
View detailed forecasts, current conditions and animated radar images, plus receive severe weather alerts
• Dynamic Off-Street Parking[2]
Find parking close to your destination, including the number of spots available and current cost
[1] Contact your mobile service provider for more information about your service plan's data and roaming rates.
[2] Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Subscriptions required.
[3] Parking data is available for most town centres. For coverage details, visit Parkopedia.com.
[4] See https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=111441 for terms, conditions and limitations.
Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
When it’s working it’s excellent. I have a DezlCam and the lead connecting my sat nav also provides live traffic but this stopped working so I rely totally on this app for live traffic updates as I’m a long distance class 1 lorry driver. More often than not it connects to my iPhone XR then to IOS services and after about 5 seconds disconnects from them again. It’s so annoying that one day it works perfectly then the next day it won’t work at all. It’s the most unstable app I’ve ever used. Cmon Garmin sort it out.
Opportunity Missed
Ducati Multistrada Dave
This app has potential but the current functionality is somewhat underwhelming. Map quality is poor and there is no ability to plan or store routes/tracks on the phone even if you try to import from another planning app (including web sites). Finding locations is cumbersome and trying to use the contacts area shows misaligned fields that shows there has been little attention to detail. Biggest issue for me is that I cannot edit data on the phone for the device even though the app is showing me what is on the device. Frustratingly, I have a set showing for the phone and a set showing for the device. Why? Surely the app is for the management of the device as well as for the slow data connection. Bluetooth connectivity has been stable for me but the pairing process required me to set up the device twice to ensure data functionality as well as the usual phone connectivity. Overall, this app could do so much but seems to be a way of just providing a data link for the Garmin device and also to sell me some ‘additions’ of functionality for the device. Come on Garmin, this is not even ‘half baked’.
Developer Response
Hello Dave and many thanks for your feedback. Please note that Smartphone Link it's just a companion app and main features of navigation can only be found on your Garmin Navigator device. Still, we will consider implementing your suggested options in the future versions. If you're facing any other issues please feel free to contact us at smartphonelink@garmin.com and we'll gladly assist you in solving them.
Drops connection
Suzukibob
Have been using this app 5 days a week for work plus on weekend rides on motorcycle. Since buying my Garmin Sat nav several years ago App has been randomly temperamental one day all works as it should, next day won’t connect or drops connection fiddling on connecting via mobile or via sat nav Bluetooth connection. So now latest is it connects stays connected as you drive away but looses connection after a random time while driving which means no traffic updates and getting stuck in jams which sat nav can’t see and can’t avoid. I wonder if new features on iPhone using it while driving are screwing it up as each time turn on mobile app not running click it bingo reconnects. Get this sorted as mobile phones with app sat navs and even Google maps are now kicking your ars.
Better and cheaper alternative options
ahappyhippo
I’ve been using my top of the range Garmin device for a few years in Europe. Then travelled to South Africa for three months to start a trek through the Country. In order to use the device, I was required to download a Map at an outrageous cost. And worst of all, I had to delete the previous Maps which I’d already paid for in order to use the South African Maps on my Garmin device. The Device is now redundant and I’m using my mobile phone and other Apps to find my way around. No thanks to Garmin. As it happens, the vehicle I’m using has German a factory fitted satnav so I have two choices available and neither of them are Garmin.
Developer Response
Hello there and many thanks for your feedback. We're sorry to see you disappointed. Still, if you're facing any other issues with our app please feel free to contact us at smartphonelink@garmin.com and we'll gladly assist you in solving them.
We have further improved the stability of the app. Enjoy your drive!
Version 2.9.8
The developer, Garmin, has not provided details about its privacy practices and handling of data to Apple. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
No Details Provided
The developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update.
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
