How to Connect Apple Watch to Garmin Edge GPS

Connecting your Apple Watch to a Garmin Edge GPS allows you to leverage the accurate heart rate monitoring capabilities of your Apple Watch while cycling. This guide walks you through the process using a data field called HR2VP, ensuring seamless heart rate data transfer without the need for additional hardware.

Watch the video tutorial here below!

Introduction

Why Use an Apple Watch?

Apple Watches are renowned for their heart rate monitoring accuracy, surpassing other smartwatches like Wear OS devices. With a remarkable accuracy of 2.3%, the Apple Watch SE 2 outperforms the best Wear OS watch, which has an accuracy of 13.4%.

The Solution: HR2VP Data Field

HR2VP is a data field that enables the Apple Watch to communicate with Garmin Edge devices. This method bypasses Bluetooth interoperability issues by using Garmin's native communication protocol. Compatible Garmin devices include Edge® 1030, 1040, 1050, Edge® 130 Plus, 530, 540, 830, 840 & Explore 2.

Download Connect IQ Data Field
Download HR2VP for iOS

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Step 1: Install HR2VP Data Field on Garmin Edge

1/ Download HR2VP Data Field

Open Garmin Connect.
Tap the 'More' button (three dots) and select 'Connect IQ Store'.
Search for 'HR2VP', open the store page, and select 'Install'.
Sync your devices to ensure the data field is downloaded.

2/ Configure Garmin Edge

Press the 'Menu' button on your Garmin Edge.
Go to 'Activity Profiles'.
Choose your profile (e.g., Road, Mountain, Indoor).
Select 'Data Screens', pick a screen to customize or add a new one.
Choose a data field slot and select HR2VP from the Connect IQ data fields list.
Click on 'Done' to save your changes.

Step 2: Set Up HR2VP on Your iPhone and Apple Watch

1/ Download HR2VP App

Open the App Store on your iPhone.
Search for HR2VP and download the HR2VP Bike Training & Tracker app.
Ensure your Apple Watch is paired with your phone.

2/ Launch and Configure HR2VP

Open HR2VP on your Apple Watch and grant necessary permissions.
Start a workout on the watch.
Open HR2VP on your iPhone.
Go to 'Settings' and enable broadcasting to the Garmin Connect IQ Data Field.
Disable BLE broadcasting.
Save the settings and click 'Start Riding'.
Select the watch as the heart rate monitor.
Ensure your subscription is valid for longer workouts.

Step 3: Start Your Activity

1/ On Your iPhone and Apple Watch

Start an activity in HR2VP on your watch.
Start a ride in HR2VP on your phone (do not switch off the phone screen).

2/ On Your Garmin Edge

Start your activity as usual.
Your heart rate data from the Apple Watch should now display on your Garmin Edge screen.

Want more info about the app HR2VP and other use cases?