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

Date:
Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:57:55 +0000

Description:
Google Maps has landed on Garmin wearables, giving you accurate directions on your wrist. Here's which models are getting the handy upgrade.

FULL STORY ======================================================================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 youre 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. Thats doubly true when youre running or cycling, where a distraction like a phone could be a real nuisance.

If you have a Garmin wearable , though, you wont need to worry about that, as Garmin has just added Google Maps to its fitness tracker app store . The idea is youll get turn-by-turn directions on your wrist, enabling you to keep your phone in your pocket or your bag.

Its compatible with popular models like Garmins 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 (Image credit: Breslavtsev Oleg / Shutterstock)

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, itll 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 youre 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 its a welcome addition regardless. My Apple Watch offers similar functionality through the Apple Maps app, and its perfect for when I need to get directions without pulling up my phone every time. I find that its ideal not only when
Im out on a run, but also for those times when Im in a busy city and want to keep my phone safely stowed.

If Garmins latest update sounds like something youd 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) fnix 7, quatix 7, fnix 7 Sapphire Dual Power Edition fnix 7 Pro, fnix 7 Pro Solar Edition, fnix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar Edition, fnix 7 Pro Sapphire Dual Power Edition fnix 7 Pro Solar Edition (No Wi-Fi) fnix 7S, fnix 7S Solar Edition, fnix 7S Sapphire Solar Edition fnix 7S Pro, fnix 7S Pro Sapphire Solar Edition, fnix 7S Pro Sapphire Dual Power Edition fnix 7X, fnix 7X - Solar Edition, fnix 7X Sapphire Solar Edition, quatix 7X Solar Edition fnix 7X
Pro, fnix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar Edition, fnix 7X Pro Sapphire Dual Power Edition fnix 8 AMOLED (43mm) fnix 8 AMOLED (47mm/51mm), quatix 8 AMOLED (47mm/51mm), tactix 8 AMOLED (47mm/51mm) fnix 8 Solar (47mm), fnix 8 Dual Power (47mm) fnix 8 Solar (51mm), fnix 8 Dual Power (51mm), tactix 8 Solar (51mm) fnix 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 vvoactive 5 vvoactive 6 You might also like The best Garmin watch 2025: Multisport watches for every outdoor pursuit Google announces surprise health upgrades for your Garmin watch I choose Apple Maps over Google Maps every time for this single reason



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/garmin-just-gave-some-of -its-smartwatches-a-big-google-maps-upgrade-heres-which-models-are-getting-it


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