Garmin is Down, But You Can Still Upload

While we are still learning more about the details, Garmin has been down since Thursday, leaving users unable to upload activities, update devices, or other normal activities that you would do through the Garmin Connect website and app. Speculation is that they have been hit by a ransomware attack with hackers asking for $10 million dollars to unlock their systems.

Just because Garmin is down though, it’s not the end of the world. You can still get outside and use your Garmin devices and there are ways to upload your activities, just not on Garmin Connect. If you use sites like Strava and can upload .fit files, you can still share your rides with your friends, followers, and brag to strangers about the sick watts you put out on your local climb.

Here’s how.

First off, connect your device to your computer using the USB cable it came with. That not only charges it, but it turns it into a drive, similar to plugging in a thumb drive. From there, go to your site of choice. Ours will be Strava, because I use so many different devices for reviews (Garmin, Wahoo, Coros, Stages, Lezyne), I need a site that works for multiple platforms.

Scroll through the pictures below with the steps listed in the captions.

Look for the icon that you can use to upload activities manually. For Strava, there is a “+” in the upper right. Click on Upload Activity.

From here, things might be different for each site, but it’s probably pretty similar. When you click on the “+”, you’ll have a few different options. The one you want is “File.”

Next, find your Garmin device in the drives list. You may need to navigate around a little depending on if you are using a Windows PC or a Mac. Click on the Garmin device, in this case, a Forerunner. Open up the GARMIN folder.

Then select the activities you want to upload and click OK. Strava lets you do 25 at a time, and up to 25MB.

From there, Strava should upload your files, unless they already have been. Do your normal updates, and you are done.

If you rely on using Courses for your rides, or use Workouts, the GARMIN folder is also has these folders. If you can create the course or workout in another program and download it as a .fit file, you can try dragging and dropping it into these folders. I can’t guarantee that they will show up in your device when you start up, but it is worth a shot.

However things play out at Garmin, once they are back online, you should be able to sync your device as you previously have, and you’ll be set.

Yeah, it’s extra work, but you can do it. For now, just keep getting outside, enjoy your workouts, and stay safe.

Scott Kingsley

Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.

www.teamkickass.org