Garmin Express: A Frustrating Experience for Mac Users in Monterey

As a long-time customer and vocal supporter of Garmin, it's disheartening to experience frustrating issues while trying to sync my devices with my Mac running macOS Monterey. After multiple attempts at restarting every device without success, I'm left wondering if Garmin has abandoned support for Apple users.

I've tried deleting specific files as suggested in another thread on this site, but even that didn't resolve the issue. I'm currently running the latest version of Garmin Express (7.12.3.0) and macOS 12.3.1, with multiple Garmin devices connected to my Mac. However, only one device is affected by this problem.

The issue persists: every time I try to sync my watch with my Mac using Garmin Express, it charges but doesn't detect the connection. It's as if Garmin has deliberately abandoned support for Apple users, choosing instead to focus on their own ecosystem.

I'm not alone in this experience; multiple threads on this site share similar problems. It's clear that Garmin is no longer committed to supporting Apple devices, and it's disappointing considering I've been a loyal customer for years. As my friends upgrade to Apple hardware, including laptops and phones, I can't recommend Garmin to them.

What's even more frustrating is the lack of transparency from Garmin. Instead of being upfront about abandoning support for Apple users, they leave us in limbo, forcing us to jump through hoops to find workarounds or abandon their products altogether.

The problem seems to be twofold: first, Garmin uses outdated technology for connectors, which doesn't mesh well with Mac's USB-C ports. Second, the company seems unwilling to invest time and resources into developing an Apple silicon app or universal app that would allow seamless integration between Garmin devices and Macs.

As a developer organization, it's astonishingly simple to produce an Apple silicon app or universal app. In fact, I spent only 3 hours as a dev org to get it worked out. But it seems Garmin is unwilling to invest the necessary time and effort to resolve these issues.

For users with Intel MacBook Pros, finding a compatible cable for their Garmin watches can be a nightmare. The USB connection often doesn't work well or at all on Macs, adding to the frustration.

In conclusion, my experience with Garmin Express on macOS Monterey has been nothing short of disappointing. As a loyal customer and vocal supporter, I'm left feeling abandoned by Garmin's apparent decision to focus solely on their own ecosystem. It's time for the company to be transparent about its plans and support Apple users or risk losing them forever.

Garmin express mac monterey