Are you wondering whether you can use your Garmin device without having to rely on your phone? The answer largely depends on whether your Garmin watch has GPS functionality. If your watch is equipped with GPS, then you’re in luck! You can absolutely use it without needing your phone. In fact, the phone becomes entirely unnecessary when your watch has its own GPS capability. Even if you have your phone with you, the GPS in your phone remains untouched, as your Garmin watch handles all GPS-related tasks on its own. This means you can enjoy the freedom of tracking your activities without the need to bring along your phone.
However, there is an exception to this scenario. Some Garmin watches rely on what is known as “connected GPS.” These watches do not have GPS built into them, so they require a connection to your phone’s GPS to track location data accurately. In this case, you will need to have your phone with you to provide the necessary GPS information to your watch. Connected GPS allows for a more streamlined experience, as it leverages the GPS capabilities of your phone while displaying the data on your Garmin watch. So, if your Garmin model falls under the category of watches with connected GPS, having your phone nearby becomes essential for accurate GPS tracking.
In summary, if your Garmin watch features its own GPS functionality, you can use it independently without your phone. The phone’s GPS remains unused in this scenario. However, if your watch relies on connected GPS, then you will need to have your phone with you to ensure accurate location tracking. Understanding the GPS capabilities of your specific Garmin model will help you determine whether you can go phone-free or if you’ll need to keep your device handy for GPS support.
(Response: Yes, if your Garmin watch has GPS, you can use it without your phone. However, if it relies on connected GPS, you’ll need to have your phone with you for accurate tracking.)