Garmin Connect fails to start with latest update

npen · September 18, 2025, 3:02pm

Hello everyone,

I just received an update of the Garmin Connect application, and now the application will simply stay forever on the startup screen (Black screen with “Connect” logo in the middle).

Strangely watch is connected to the phone. Clearing application cache does not help.

Phone is a Murena Fairphone 6 with e/os/ v3.1.3.

Anyone having this issue?

Thanks is advanced!

Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/OS the deGoogled mobile OS and online services phone

stanwood · September 18, 2025, 4:20pm

Same here, also Fairphone 6 V 3.1.3-Official

I tried to clear cache + Data, then I opened it again, put my email address + password, and then I got this never ending animated “running guy” on the black screen.

Also tried to deactivate advanced privacy, add all proposed links in “opening by default” (Settings => Apps => Garmin Connect), + eventually reinstalled the app from AuroraStore, but all of this didn’t change anything.

Does someone has another idea?

npen · September 18, 2025, 4:25pm

So I activated the “Developer mode” (new fear unlocked), installed adb… and spotted this warning in the logs:

09-18 18:01:41.103 4638 6139 W SplitInstallService: refusing to perform split installation for com.garmin.android.apps.connectmobile as the service is disabled

I was able to bypass warning by activating “Installation à la demande composants” option in MicroG, which gives me now:

09-18 18:17:26.422 10199 21676 I PlayCore: UID: [10196]  PID: [10199] SplitInstallService : startInstall([gcm_on_demand_resources],[])
09-18 18:17:26.424 10199 10497 I PlayCore: UID: [10196]  PID: [10199] SplitInstallService : Initiate binding to the service.
09-18 18:17:26.437  4638  4638 D SplitInstallService: onBind: 
09-18 18:17:26.453 10199 10199 I PlayCore: UID: [10196]  PID: [10199] SplitInstallService : ServiceConnectionImpl.onServiceConnected(ComponentInfo{com.android.vending/com.google.android.finsky.splitinstallservice.SplitInstallService})
09-18 18:17:26.456 10199 10497 I PlayCore: UID: [10196]  PID: [10199] SplitInstallService : linkToDeath
09-18 18:17:26.457  4638  4658 D SplitInstallService: Method <startInstall> Called by package: com.garmin.android.apps.connectmobile
09-18 18:17:26.462  4638  4638 V SplitInstallManager: splitInstallFlow: start
09-18 18:17:26.462  4638  4638 V SplitInstallManager: splitInstallFlow will query for these packages: [gcm_on_demand_resources]
09-18 18:17:26.478  4638  4638 V SplitInstallManager: splitInstallFlow oauthToken: AuthData(email=XXXX, authToken=XXX, gsfId=XXXX, deviceCheckInConsistencyToken=XXXX, deviceConfigToken=, experimentsConfigToken=, dfeCookie=)
09-18 18:17:26.869  4638  4638 V SplitInstallManager: splitInstallFlow requestDownloadUrls returned these components: null
09-18 18:17:26.869  4638  4638 D SplitInstallService: startInstall: installStatus -> false

But still won’t work. And I have no clue if this warning is related to the application not starting.

dartfors · September 18, 2025, 4:40pm

I tried to download the apk from apkmirror and when I accidentally opened the file with Garmin connect I got in and the app and it worked as before. If I trie to open it without the app it staying on the boot screen.

npen · September 18, 2025, 4:55pm

You found a nice work around!

I just added a simple gpx file in my documents. Then if I open it in Garmin Connect, it will open the application correctly.

marxistvegan · September 18, 2025, 4:56pm

I ran into this last night, but then this morning, it worked without issue.

stanwood · September 18, 2025, 4:58pm

Oh nice. For newbies (like me), how do you do that?

Edit: That’s it, I did it. I asked ChatGPT to create a fake .gpx file so I could open it with Garmin Connect. I put this file in ‘My Documents’, then clicked on the file, opened it with ‘Garmin Connect’ => ‘Once only’, and the route opened in Garmin Connect. Simply use the back arrow twice to return to the home screen.

The only problem is that you have to reopen this GPX file every time you want to start Garmin Connect… But at least I can use the app…

stanwood · September 18, 2025, 5:08pm

So I just tried to update “Garmin Connect” on a VollaPhone (GS290) using “VollaOS” (on Android 12), which is another de-googled ROM using Micro-G: Same result, Connect is displaying in a black screen…

So it seems clear that this Garmin app version is affected by all Micro-G ROMs, regardless of the Android version number.

petefoth · September 18, 2025, 5:26pm

Same for LineageOS for microG

npen · September 18, 2025, 5:28pm

For example download this file using the browser on the phone: https://www.openstreetmap.org/traces/12067708/data

It will propose you to open it or download it. You can first try to open it directly with Garmin Connect and see if it works.

Then you can save it in “Downloads”. Then go to Files application, and in Downloads you should see the file and open it in Garmin.

stanwood · September 18, 2025, 5:32pm

Thank you, I just edited my previous message as I managed to create such a file, and indeed, it works pretty well!

Thank you once again for the tip!

stanwood · September 18, 2025, 5:53pm

Right, so I just opened an issue in Gitlab with all the details:

petefoth · September 18, 2025, 6:02pm

As you pointed out, the issue is not specific to - and therefore cannot be fixed in - /e/OS. It seems to be a problem with any custom ROM using microG in place of Google Play Services. So the fix is either going to come from microG or from Garmin Connect.

I made it easier by creating a launcher shortcut to the file and positioning the shortcut next to the Garmin Connect icon in my launcher homescreen. I can open the app just be clicking on the shortcut. (Note that I use a proper launcher - Lawnchair Legacy from Aurora Store - not the broken /e/OS launcher )

stanwood · September 18, 2025, 6:05pm

Very good idea! So I assume this wouldn’t work with Bliss launcher?

petefoth · September 18, 2025, 6:38pm

From the little I know about Bliss (having tried it very briefly and found it to be ugly, poorly implemented, and not properly specified or designed), no it won’t work, unless Bliss now has the ability to install widgets and shortcuts. Just use a proper launcher - there are loads

Murri · September 18, 2025, 7:03pm

Downgrade to 5.16.2 (10077) with Aurora fixed it temporary for me. And disallow Updates in AppLounge for Apps that have been installed with other ApppStores.

kipry · September 18, 2025, 7:33pm

You can just go to your file manager. And then mark the gpx & “create shortcut to launcher”. It also works on bliss

stanwood · September 18, 2025, 8:03pm

Indeed! Just did this and it works! Then I did put the launcher just next to the app. Thank you!

msp · September 18, 2025, 8:55pm

Same problem with Fairphone 4. The workaround works perfect with a 1k .gpx file, which only contains a few trackpoints

stanwood · September 18, 2025, 11:18pm

As this issue affects all Micro-G ROMs, I also opened a ticket in Micro-G’s Github:

github.com/microg/GmsCore

Garmin Connect does not open since latest app update 5.17.1

opened 11:16PM - 18 Sep 25 UTC

stanwood77

**Affected app** Name: Garmin Connect Package id: com.garmin.android.apps.connec…tmobile **Describe the bug** Since latest Garmin Connect update 5.17.1, the app does not open. Instead, the application will simply stay forever on the startup screen (Black screen with “Connect” logo in the middle) forever on the startup screen (Black screen with “Connect” logo in the middle). **To Reproduce** Steps to reproduce the behavior: 1. Open Garmin Connect app, it won't open. **Expected behavior** The app should start normally **Screenshots** See below (end of the ticket) **System** Android Version: 15 Custom ROM: /e/OS 3.1.3-Official **microG** microG Core version: 0.3.8.250932-23 (b32e1cd) microG Self-Check results: All ticked **Workaround** Temporary workaroud: Open any .gpx file "with Garmin Connect", and the app opens directly in the itinerary. Then use the back up-left arrow twice to go back to the main menu. This workaround must be used each time we want to open the app... **Additional context** Bug has been confirmed by multiple users, including VollaOS (Micro-G) and LineageOS for Micro-G A tread is available here: https://community.e.foundation/t/garmin-connect-fails-to-start-with-latest-update/75199 A ticket is already opened in e-Gitlab: https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/backlog/-/issues/8920 Logs: (from another user) ``` 09-18 18:01:41.103 4638 6139 W SplitInstallService: refusing to perform split installation for com.garmin.android.apps.connectmobile as the service is disabled ``` Then, the user was able to bypass warning by activating “Installation à la demande composants” option in MicroG, which gives him now: ``` 09-18 18:17:26.422 10199 21676 I PlayCore: UID: [10196] PID: [10199] SplitInstallService : startInstall([gcm_on_demand_resources],[]) 09-18 18:17:26.424 10199 10497 I PlayCore: UID: [10196] PID: [10199] SplitInstallService : Initiate binding to the service. 09-18 18:17:26.437 4638 4638 D SplitInstallService: onBind: 09-18 18:17:26.453 10199 10199 I PlayCore: UID: [10196] PID: [10199] SplitInstallService : ServiceConnectionImpl.onServiceConnected(ComponentInfo{com.android.vending/com.google.android.finsky.splitinstallservice.SplitInstallService}) 09-18 18:17:26.456 10199 10497 I PlayCore: UID: [10196] PID: [10199] SplitInstallService : linkToDeath 09-18 18:17:26.457 4638 4658 D SplitInstallService: Method <startInstall> Called by package: com.garmin.android.apps.connectmobile 09-18 18:17:26.462 4638 4638 V SplitInstallManager: splitInstallFlow: start 09-18 18:17:26.462 4638 4638 V SplitInstallManager: splitInstallFlow will query for these packages: [gcm_on_demand_resources] 09-18 18:17:26.478 4638 4638 V SplitInstallManager: splitInstallFlow oauthToken: AuthData(email=XXXX, authToken=XXX, gsfId=XXXX, deviceCheckInConsistencyToken=XXXX, deviceConfigToken=, experimentsConfigToken=, dfeCookie=) 09-18 18:17:26.869 4638 4638 V SplitInstallManager: splitInstallFlow requestDownloadUrls returned these components: null 09-18 18:17:26.869 4638 4638 D SplitInstallService: startInstall: installStatus -> false ``` But still doesn't work. Here's a summary of **ChatGPT** concerning this issue, after having fully analyzed all the logs and the complete description of the problem (_consider with caution!_): "The logs show that Garmin Connect tries to use **PlayCore / SplitInstallService**, a Google component used to download and load additional modules ( the famous _Dynamic Feature Modules_ ) on demand. Without official Google Play Services → the request fails, as Micro-G seems to has only a partial implementation of this. When the user activates ‘On-demand component installation’ in MicroG, it goes a little further (simulated service connection), but in the end `requestDownloadUrls` returns `null` → so the app remains blocked. In summary: This is not just a ‘UI’ bug, Garmin Connect really needs a service that MicroG does not yet fully imitate. The GPX workaround just bypasses the initial phase where the app looks for this module. So it seems that MicroG would improve its support for `SplitInstallService`. In the meantime, we either stick with the GPX trick or... downgrade Garmin Connect to a version prior to this dependency." Thank you for your attention! stanwood ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a832ca83-6270-4c49-9a19-decfc8e53ee5)