Start here when your Garmin steps are not syncing to the WayBetter app correctly.
Review your tracker type
When your Garmin steps are not matching, please review the “Trackers” section of the WayBetter app to search for other connected trackers. Garmin steps only count if Garmin is your connected tracker. For example, Garmin steps accumulated in Apple Health will not sync to your WayBetter game. If you have Apple or Fitbit listed as connected trackers, it’s possible you joined the game with another tracker type. Email support@waybetter.com if you feel the wrong tracker was used to join the game.
Review game history
Is this your first stepping game? Even if you have played in past WayBetter running, walking, or cardio challenges, our step games need fresh permission from Garmin to sync your steps. Please visit the “Trackers” tab in the profile area of the WayBetter app, tap on Garmin, and then “Disconnect.” Back out and then “reconnect” with Garmin on the same page. If your steps do not immediately sync, please contact support@waybetter.com and reference the reconnection as a backfill may be needed to pull in the steps for past days.
Verify the tracker is active in Garmin Connect
Make sure the device you are tracking your steps with is active in the Garmin Connect account. You can see which device is connected in the top right of the home page
From the settings menu, you can double-check which device is registered or connected to Garmin Connect. Garmin Connect will only connect to 1 watch at a time.
Check Bluetooth settings
Your Garmin tracker needs to share information with the Garmin Connect app via a Bluetooth connection. To keep information syncing, verify your Bluetooth connection is functioning and all steps have synced from the tracker to the Garmin Connect app. Attempt a sync to WayBetter, using both your WiFi connection and cell data when possible to verify a signal issue is not causing problems.
The connection information below references Android, but it is also applicable to iOS connections:
The watch can take a few seconds to fully sync. The white circle shows the sync is in progress. A full green circle means the sync is complete.
Review the Garmin Connect app
Open the Garmin Connect app and double-check the step count there compared to your tracker and WayBetter. Only steps you have synced to the Garmin Connect app can sync to WayBetter.
After you see the appropriate level of steps in the Garmin Connect app, open the WayBetter app and the stepping game page. The new steps should sync when both apps are open. If there is a slight delay, back out of the game page and enter it again.
Steps can be seen in two places in Garmin. There may be times when the two do not match. Garmin sends WayBetter the step menu total as shown below versus the “My Day” information. When a discrepancy is realized, reach out to Garmin for device troubleshooting to ensure WayBetter is sent the proper information. You can read more about the differences in these two views at Garmin: My Detail Views Do Not Match the My Day View in the Garmin Connect App.
We recommend deferring to the WayBetter app for your best indication of progress to goal each day.
Review settings if the watch is not counting steps accurately.
According to Garmin, several situations can result in steps under or overreporting the level expected.
In watch settings, Activity Tracking needs to be turned on for accurate tracking.
Check your app store for updates
Visit the app store for your device and see if your Garmin Connect or WayBetter app needs updated. If so, please install the updates and attempt a new sync using “Update now.”
Uninstall the apps
If Garmin Connect and the WayBetter app both clear other troubleshooting measures, please uninstall and reinstall both apps to see if that clears any problems.
Verify WayBetter has access to Garmin Connect
Phone updates, watch updates and more can upset your existing connections and the permissions in your device. You can verify WayBetter still has access to your Gamin information from the Garmin Connect app.
On the Garmin Connect app, get started by tapping the three lines to open. From there:
- Scroll down to the Settings tab
- Tap Connected Apps
- Look for WayBetter under the list of connected apps
- Tap WayBetter and ensure the blue button next to both Activities and Daily Health Stats is on
If WayBetter is no longer listed, granting fresh permission is easy! Open your WayBetter app, log in, and tap the profile icon in the lower right corner. Scroll down to “Trackers.” Next, select Garmin Connect and follow the connection prompts.
Contact Support
If your problems persist, please email support@waybetter.com and include as much information about the issue as possible. Email as soon as possible to document the timing of the issue and attach any screenshots illustrating the potential discrepancy between your Garmin Connect app and WayBetter. Emails must be received on the same day as the issue in order for our referee team to troubleshoot.