Garmin and MyFitnessPal not syncing — that’s exactly what happened to me a few weeks ago, and it threw off my entire fitness tracking routine. As someone who uses both apps daily to count calories and monitor workouts, seeing my steps and runs not appear in MyFitnessPal was frustrating.
After trying many solutions, I finally figured out what works. In this post, I’ll walk you through my real-life experience, explain what causes the problem, and how you can fix it quickly. Let’s get started!
Why Garmin and MyFitnessPal Stop Syncing
If your Garmin and MyFitnessPal apps aren’t talking to each other, you’re not alone. Here’s what might be causing the issue.
Sometimes, everything looks connected, but the data just refuses to show up. That’s what happened to me — and maybe it’s happening to you too.
What I Noticed:
- My steps were missing in MyFitnessPal.
- Calories burned stayed at zero all day.
- Workouts logged in Garmin Connect never showed up in my diary.
- Even though the apps said they were linked, nothing synced.
This made me start wondering about the MyFitnessPal vs Garmin issue. Which one was to blame?
What Causes Sync Issues?
These are the most common causes I found after hours of research and testing:
- App updates: One app may be updated, but the other is not.
- Account linking issues: Permissions sometimes get removed or expire silently.
- Slow sync times: Syncing doesn’t always happen instantly.
- Device connection problems: Weak internet or Bluetooth errors can stop syncing.
- Server outages: Sometimes, it’s not you—it’s them.
Let’s fix it.
How I Fixed the Sync Problem: Step-by-Step
Fixing the syncing issue between these apps isn’t as hard as it seems. Here’s what worked for me.
After trying nearly everything, here’s what actually worked for me — and it might work for you too.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide:
- Update both apps (Garmin Connect and MyFitnessPal) via App Store or Google Play.
- Unlink Garmin from MyFitnessPal:
- Open MyFitnessPal → Tap More → Apps & Devices → Remove Garmin.
- Re-link Garmin properly:
- Go to the same settings and tap “Connect” next to Garmin.
- Manually sync Garmin:
- Open Garmin Connect → Tap the three dots → Tap Sync Now.
- Restart your phone.
- Reinstall both apps if nothing else works.
“It wasn’t just one fix. It was a combo of these steps that finally worked for me.”
How I Keep Garmin and MyFitnessPal Syncing Daily
Once you fix the issue, keeping the sync working long-term is just about small habits. Here’s what I do.
After fixing it, I made a few simple habits to avoid this headache again. Here’s what helps me:
- I sync Garmin manually after every workout.
- I keep both apps logged in and running in the background.
- I enable Background App Refresh in phone settings.
- I don’t uninstall or reset apps unless it’s needed.
- I check for updates every weekend.
These may sound small, but they help keep the MyFitnessPal vs Garmin syncing smooth and accurate daily.
What If It’s a Server Problem?
If you’ve done everything right and syncing still fails, the issue might be on their end.
Sometimes, it’s not your fault at all. I found that Garmin or MyFitnessPal servers go down occasionally, and that causes a sync block.
How to Check Server Status:
- Garmin Status Page: Visit the official Garmin status page.
- MyFitnessPal Community: Visit the forums for recent user reports.
You can also check Twitter or Reddit for user reports. That’s how I found out one of their servers was down last week — and I just had to wait.
Still Stuck? Here’s How to Get Help
Support teams can actually be helpful if you know where to reach out. Don’t hesitate to contact them.
If you’ve tried everything and syncing still doesn’t work, don’t panic. Here’s how to contact real support:
Contact Options:
- Garmin Support: support.garmin.com
- MyFitnessPal Support: support.myfitnesspal.com
- Community Forums or Reddit (search for similar sync threads)
“I once got a reply from MyFitnessPal support within 24 hours. It’s worth trying.”
FAQs – Answers to What I Asked Myself
Everyone has questions when syncing fails. Here are some of the ones I had, with simple answers.
Why did my Garmin workout not show up in MyFitnessPal?
It usually happens when your account is unlinked or the Garmin app hasn’t synced properly yet.
Is syncing between Garmin and MyFitnessPal instant?
No. Sometimes it takes 5–15 minutes for data to appear.
Can I sync them manually?
Yes! Go to Garmin Connect and tap Sync Now. Then refresh MyFitnessPal.
My Honest Experience Comparing MyFitnessPal vs Garmin
Both apps have their strengths. Here’s what I’ve learned by using both daily.
Over time, I’ve noticed that Garmin is better at tracking workouts, while MyFitnessPal shines in food logging. But syncing the two can feel messy.
Here’s a quick comparison:
- Food Logging: MyFitnessPal is best, Garmin doesn’t offer it.
- Workout Tracking: Garmin is more accurate.
- Steps Tracking: Garmin wins here too.
- Calorie Adjustment: Both apps do this well.
- Sync Stability: Both need occasional fixes, but it’s manageable.
So when using MyFitnessPal vs Garmin, the trick is using them together — but only when they sync properly. That’s why solving the syncing issue is so important.
Conclusion
Garmin and MyFitnessPal not syncing can be extremely frustrating — especially when you rely on them for tracking your health goals. But after going through the pain myself, I found that a few simple steps like re-linking, syncing manually, and keeping apps updated can solve most problems. Sync issues are common but fixable. Don’t give up!
If this guide helped you, feel free to share it with someone who’s also struggling with syncing issues. And let me know in the comments if you found another trick — we’re all figuring this out together.
