The basic connection process
Connecting your Garmin device to Strava takes about five minutes and happens in two places: first on Strava's website to authorize the connection, then on your Garmin device or through Garmin Connect to complete the link. Once connected, your workouts automatically send to Strava without you doing anything else — no manual uploads, no copying data between apps.
The reason you need both steps is that Strava and Garmin are separate companies. Strava needs permission to read your workout data from Garmin's servers, and Garmin needs to know which Strava account to send that data to. Neither happens automatically just because you own both devices.
Key Takeaways
- You must authorize the connection on Strava's website first, using your Strava login, before your Garmin device will send workouts to Strava.
- After authorizing on Strava, you complete the connection through either the Garmin Connect app or your Garmin device's settings menu, depending on your device model.
- Once connected, every workout your Garmin records automatically uploads to Strava without any action from you.
- If workouts stop uploading, the connection usually broke because you changed your Strava password or logged out of Garmin Connect — reconnecting takes the same five minutes.
Authorizing the connection on Strava's website
Open Strava in a web browser on your computer or phone and log in with your Strava username and password. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, then scroll down and select "Settings." On the Settings page, look for "Connected Apps" or "Connections" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you are on a phone or computer, but it is always in the same section.
Click "Connect" next to Garmin. Strava will show you a blue button that says "Authorize" or "Connect with Garmin." Click it. You will be taken to a Garmin login page. Enter your Garmin account username and password — this is the same account you use for Garmin Connect, the app where your device syncs. After you log in, Garmin will ask you to confirm that you want to allow Strava to access your workout data. Click "Approve" or "Allow." You will be sent back to Strava, and the connection is now authorized on Strava's side.
Completing the connection on your Garmin device or app
If you own a newer Garmin smartwatch or running watch (most models from 2020 onward), the connection is already complete. Your device will start uploading workouts to Strava within a few hours. You can check that it worked by opening Strava and looking at your activity feed — your next workout should appear there automatically.
If you own an older Garmin device or a Garmin fitness tracker, you may need to complete one more step in the Garmin Connect app. Open Garmin Connect on your phone, tap the menu icon (three lines), and go to "Settings." Look for "Connected Services," "Third-Party Apps," or "Connections" — the name depends on your app version. Find Strava in the list and tap it. If it shows "Connected," you are done. If it shows "Disconnected" or "Connect," tap that button and log in with your Strava username and password when prompted.
Some very old Garmin devices do not support automatic uploads to Strava at all. If you cannot find a Strava option in Garmin Connect after looking in Settings and Connected Services, your device model may not be compatible. You can check Garmin's support site by searching "Garmin [your device name] Strava" to confirm.
What happens after you connect
Once the connection is live, every time your Garmin device finishes recording a workout — a run, bike ride, swim, or any other activity — it syncs to Garmin Connect first. Within a few minutes to a few hours, that same workout automatically appears in your Strava feed. You do not have to open Strava or do anything manually. The data includes your route, distance, time, pace or speed, elevation, and any other metrics your Garmin device recorded.
Strava will also pull in any workout you recorded before you connected the devices, going back several weeks depending on your Garmin device. This means you may see old activities suddenly appear in your Strava feed after you authorize the connection. That is normal and expected.
Troubleshooting when workouts stop uploading
If your Garmin workouts were uploading to Strava but suddenly stopped, the connection usually broke because you changed your Strava password, changed your Garmin password, or logged out of Garmin Connect on your phone. The fix is to reconnect by going back to Strava Settings, finding the Garmin connection, and clicking "Disconnect" or "Remove." Then follow the authorization steps again from the beginning.
A second common cause is that your Garmin device itself is not syncing to Garmin Connect. If your device has not synced in several days, no new workouts will reach Strava either. Open the Garmin Connect app and make sure your device is connected via Bluetooth. Manually sync by opening your device in the app and pulling down to refresh. Once your device syncs to Garmin Connect, it will send any pending workouts to Strava within a few hours.
If you have reconnected and your device is syncing but workouts still are not appearing in Strava after 24 hours, log out of Garmin Connect entirely (in the app settings, not just closing the app), then log back in. This refreshes the connection between Garmin and Strava's servers. After logging back in, record a short test activity on your Garmin device and see if it appears in Strava within an hour.
Uploading workouts manually if the connection fails
If you cannot get the automatic connection working and need to record workouts in Strava right away, you can upload them manually. On your Garmin device, export the workout file to your computer (usually a .fit or .tcx file — check your device manual for how to do this). Then open Strava on your phone or computer, click the plus icon or "Record" button, select "Upload," and choose the file from your computer.
Manual uploads work, but they are slower and you have to remember to do them every time. Most people use manual upload only as a temporary fix while troubleshooting the automatic connection. Once you get the automatic sync working, you will not need to do this again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Garmin Connect account to connect to Strava?
Yes. Your Garmin device syncs to Garmin Connect first, and Strava pulls your workouts from Garmin Connect. If you do not have a Garmin Connect account, create one free through the Garmin Connect app or website, then sync your device to it before you authorize Strava.
Will connecting Garmin to Strava use more battery on my device?
No. The connection does not change how your Garmin device records or uses power. It only affects how your data moves after the workout is finished and your device syncs to Garmin Connect.
Can I connect multiple Garmin devices to the same Strava account?
Yes. Each Garmin device syncs to the same Garmin Connect account, and that account connects to Strava once. All your devices will send workouts to the same Strava profile automatically.
What if I want to stop sending workouts to Strava?
Go to Strava Settings, find the Garmin connection, and click "Disconnect" or "Remove." Your Garmin device will stop uploading to Strava when ready. You can reconnect anytime by following the authorization steps again.
Can I edit a workout after it uploads to Strava from my Garmin?
Yes. Once a workout appears in Strava, you can edit the title, description, activity type, and privacy settings directly in Strava. Changes you make in Strava do not affect the original file on your Garmin device.