Connect Garmin to Strava through the official integration

The easiest way to send your Garmin workouts to Strava is through Garmin's built-in connection. Garmin devices and Garmin Connect (the companion app) have a direct link to Strava that you authorize once, then your activities sync automatically. You do not need to manually upload files or use a third-party tool.

The connection works whether you use a Garmin smartwatch, fitness tracker, or cycling computer. Once linked, every run, ride, swim, or other activity you record on your Garmin device appears in your Strava feed within a few minutes of finishing.

Key Takeaways

  • Authorize the connection in Strava's settings under "Connected Apps," not in Garmin Connect, to avoid confusion and failed links.
  • Your Garmin account and Strava account must use the same email address, or the connection will not recognize them as yours.
  • After you authorize once, activities sync automatically without any action on your part — you do not need to upload or export files.
  • If the connection breaks, check that you have not changed your email address on either account, and re-authorize in Strava's settings.

Step-by-step: authorize Garmin in Strava

Open Strava on your phone or computer and go to your profile menu (the icon in the top right corner). Select "Settings," then scroll down to "Connected Apps" or "Connections." Look for Garmin in the list and tap or click "Connect."

Strava will open a Garmin login page. Enter the email address and password you use for your Garmin account. If you do not have a Garmin Connect account yet, create one at connect.garmin.com using the same email address as your Strava account. After you log in, Garmin will ask you to confirm that Strava can access your activity data. Click "Authorize" or "Allow." You are now connected.

Return to Strava and refresh the page. You should see "Connected" next to Garmin in your Connected Apps list. Any activity you record on your Garmin device from this point forward will appear in Strava automatically.

What happens to activities already on your Garmin

The Garmin-to-Strava connection only syncs new activities going forward. Activities you recorded before you authorized the connection will not automatically appear in Strava. If you want those older workouts in Strava, you have two options: manually upload them through Strava's app, or export them from Garmin Connect as .fit or .tcx files and import them into Strava.

To manually upload a past activity in Strava, open the app and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom. Select "Upload Activity," choose the file from your phone or computer, and Strava will process it. This works for any activity file format that Strava accepts, including files from Garmin.

Troubleshooting a broken or missing connection

If your Garmin activities stopped syncing to Strava, the most common cause is a mismatch between the email addresses on your two accounts. Check that the email you use to log into Garmin Connect is exactly the same as the email on your Strava account. If you changed your email on either service, you will need to re-authorize the connection.

Go back to Strava's Connected Apps settings and look for Garmin. If it shows "Disconnected," click "Connect" again and log in with your current Garmin credentials. If it shows "Connected" but activities are not syncing, click the three dots or menu icon next to Garmin and select "Disconnect," then reconnect when ready after. This refreshes the link and usually restores the sync.

If you still see no new activities in Strava after reconnecting, check that your Garmin device is syncing to Garmin Connect first. Open Garmin Connect on your phone and confirm that your latest workout appears there. If it does not, your device may not be uploading to Garmin at all — check your Bluetooth connection or USB cable if you sync manually.

Using Garmin Connect and Strava together

Many runners and cyclists use both Garmin Connect and Strava because they offer different features. Garmin Connect shows detailed metrics like training load, recovery time, and body battery. Strava focuses on social features, segment leaderboards, and route discovery. You do not have to choose — the connection lets you keep both apps and see your data in each one.

The sync is one-way: Garmin sends activities to Strava, but changes you make in Strava (like editing the activity name or adding notes) do not go back to Garmin Connect. If you want to edit an activity, do it in Garmin Connect before it syncs, or edit it in Strava after and accept that the two versions will differ.

Privacy and data sharing with the Garmin connection

When you authorize Garmin in Strava, you are giving Strava permission to read your activity data from Garmin Connect. Strava can see your workouts, routes, and basic stats, but not your personal health data like heart rate zones or sleep information. You can revoke this permission at any time by going to Strava's Connected Apps and clicking "Disconnect" next to Garmin.

If you disconnect, Strava keeps the activities that already synced, but new activities will no longer appear. Your data remains in Garmin Connect and is not deleted. You can reconnect later if you change your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Garmin activity not showing up in Strava?

Check that your Garmin device synced to Garmin Connect first — open the Garmin Connect app and look for your latest activity. If it is there, wait a few minutes and refresh Strava. If it is not in Garmin Connect, your device did not upload. Make sure Bluetooth is on and your phone is nearby, or plug your device into a computer with a USB cable to force a sync.

Can I connect multiple Garmin devices to the same Strava account?

Yes. As long as all your Garmin devices sync to the same Garmin Connect account (using the same email), they will all send activities to Strava once you authorize the connection. You do not need to set up the link separately for each device.

What if I use a different email for Garmin and Strava?

The connection will not work if the email addresses do not match. Change one of them so they are the same, then re-authorize in Strava's Connected Apps. You can change your email in Strava's account settings or in Garmin Connect's account settings.

Do I need to keep Garmin Connect installed if I use Strava?

No. Once the connection is authorized, Strava pulls data directly from Garmin's servers. You can uninstall Garmin Connect if you prefer, but keeping it lets you see detailed metrics and make sure your device is syncing properly.

Can I upload activities from Strava back to Garmin?

No. The connection is one-way only — Garmin sends to Strava, but Strava cannot send activities back to Garmin Connect. If you record an activity in Strava directly (using Strava's built-in GPS), it will not appear in Garmin Connect.