Garmin just gave some of its smartwatches a big Google Maps upgrade – here's which models are getting it

7 hours ago 2

A Garmin Forerunner 570 smartwatch showing directions from Google Maps.

(Image credit: Garmin / Future)

Garmin has added support for Google Maps on its wearables
This gives you turn-by-turn directions on your wrist
The update lets you find your way without using your phone

When you’re out enjoying the great outdoors, the last thing you want to do is ruin your experience by constantly having to check your phone for directions. That’s doubly true when you’re running or cycling, where a distraction like a phone could be a real nuisance.

If you have a Garmin wearable, though, you won’t need to worry about that, as Garmin has just added Google Maps to its fitness tracker app store. The idea is you’ll get turn-by-turn directions on your wrist, enabling you to keep your phone in your pocket or your bag.

It’s compatible with popular models like Garmin’s Venu 3, Vivoactive 5 and Fenix 8 smartwatches, among many others (you can find the full list of compatible models at the end of this article).

In a press release, Susan Lyman, Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing at Garmin, said “Whether exploring a new city, mapping out a run or casually cycling with friends, the Google Maps app in the Connect IQ store will keep users going in the right direction.”

They added: “The turn-by-turn notifications will be a game changer for those who want to stay hands-free and keep their phone in their pocket.”

Quick directions on your wrist

Garmin says this will benefit both pedestrians and fitness fans. For walkers, your Garmin wearable will vibrate gently as you approach a turn. If you tap the app, it’ll show you the next three turns.

If you want to go for a run or bike ride, you can still measure your fitness metrics while getting directions from Google Maps. Once you’re done, you can sync your activity data from Garmin Connect to third-party Android health and fitness apps using Google Health Connect.

Garmin is not the first company to implement a feature like this, but it’s a welcome addition regardless. My Apple Watch offers similar functionality through the Apple Maps app, and it’s perfect for when I need to get directions without pulling up my phone every time. I find that it’s ideal not only when I’m out on a run, but also for those times when I’m in a busy city and want to keep my phone safely stowed.

If Garmin’s latest update sounds like something you’d use, you can download the Google Maps app from the Garmin Connect IQ Store, where it's available for free.

The full list: the Garmin watches getting turn-by-turn Google Maps directions

Approach S50
Approach S70 (42mm)
Approach S70 (47mm)
D2 Mach 1
D2 Mach 1 Pro
Descent G2
Enduro 2
Enduro 3
epix (Gen 2), quatix 7 – Sapphire Edition
epix Pro (42mm)
epix Pro (47mm), quatix® 7 Pro
epix Pro (51mm)
fēnix 7, quatix 7, fēnix 7– Sapphire Dual Power Edition
fēnix 7 Pro, fēnix 7 Pro – Solar Edition, fēnix 7 Pro – Sapphire Solar Edition, fēnix 7 Pro– Sapphire Dual Power Edition
fēnix 7 Pro – Solar Edition (No Wi-Fi)
fēnix 7S, fēnix 7S– Solar Edition, fēnix 7S– Sapphire Solar Edition
fēnix 7S Pro, fēnix 7S Pro– Sapphire Solar Edition, fēnix 7S Pro– Sapphire Dual Power Edition
fēnix 7X, fēnix 7X - Solar Edition, fēnix 7X– Sapphire Solar Edition, quatix 7X – Solar Edition
fēnix 7X Pro, fēnix 7X Pro– Sapphire Solar Edition, fēnix 7X Pro– Sapphire Dual Power Edition
fēnix 8 AMOLED (43mm)
fēnix 8 AMOLED (47mm/51mm), quatix 8 AMOLED (47mm/51mm), tactix 8 AMOLED (47mm/51mm)
fēnix 8 Solar (47mm), fēnix 8 Dual Power (47mm)
fēnix 8 Solar (51mm), fēnix 8 Dual Power (51mm), tactix 8 Solar (51mm)
fēnix E
Forerunner 165
Forerunner 165 Music
Forerunner 265
Forerunner 265S
Forerunner 570 - 42mm
Forerunner 570 - 47mm
Forerunner 955 Dual Power
Forerunner 965
Forerunner 970
MARQ (Gen 2), MARQ Carbon Collection, MARQ Adventurer (Gen 2) - Damascus Steel Edition
MARQ Commander (Gen 2) – Carbon Edition
MARQ Aviator (Gen 2)
tactix 7, tactix 7 – Pro Ballistics Edition, tactix 7 – Pro Edition
tactix 7 – AMOLED Edition
tactix 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED, tactix 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED
tactix 8 – 51 mm, Solar, tactix 8 – 51 mm, Solar, Elite
Venu 3
Venu 3S
Venu X1
vívoactive 5
vívoactive 6

Alex Blake has been fooling around with computers since the early 1990s, and since that time he's learned a thing or two about tech. No more than two things, though. That's all his brain can hold. As well as TechRadar, Alex writes for iMore, Digital Trends and Creative Bloq, among others. He was previously commissioning editor at MacFormat magazine. That means he mostly covers the world of Apple and its latest products, but also Windows, computer peripherals, mobile apps, and much more beyond. When not writing, you can find him hiking the English countryside and gaming on his PC.

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