# Garmin Smartphone Link — user reviews > 413 indexed App Store user reviews of Garmin Smartphone Link by Garmin, rated 2.00/5 from 931 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-smartphone-link/id567725209/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garmin-smartphone-link/id567725209.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 113 · 4★ 61 · 3★ 84 · 2★ 122 · 1★ 551 ## What do users think of Garmin Smartphone Link? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Live traffic and weather updates - 📍 Ability to send locations from phone to GPS - 🔌 Bluetooth connectivity between phone and GPS **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent connection issues and disconnects - 🔍 Limited search functionality, only shows nearby locations - 🗺️ Inaccurate or outdated traffic and weather information - 🔋 High battery drain on phone - 💤 App is not actively maintained or updated **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when trying to access live traffic map - Bluetooth connection randomly drops and won't reconnect - Weather alerts show incorrect location information - Saved locations not syncing properly between phone and GPS **Most requested features** - Ability to search for and send any location to GPS, not just nearby - Improved traffic and weather data accuracy and reliability - More intuitive and modern user interface - Better integration with phone features like voice control - Ability to customize alert preferences and notifications ## Newest reviews (17 of 413) ### 1/5 — Carte de trafic ne s’affiche pas disparaît tout de suite *2025-10-02, version 2.9.8* Carte de trafic disparaît lorsque qu’on veut l’afficher. Très déçu !! Une étoile pour l’instant ### 1/5 — Dirección *2025-09-27, version 2.9.8* No aparecen las direcciones de viajes ### 2/5 — Crashes on map view *2025-09-03, version 2.9.8* A cumbersome app with a poor interface. The road conditions map crashes immediately it open. ### 2/5 — Fraco *2025-07-23* App muito fraco, faltam opções, mapa incompleto. Esta precisando desesperadamente de atualização, uso o Bmw Navigator VI e o aparelho só conecta com este app ### 2/5 — App shuts down *2025-07-02, version 2.9.8* Starts to work well and then shuts down when you click on the map ### 3/5 — UPDATE THE APP *2025-06-06, version 2.9.8* This is a great app but IT NEEDS A GODDANG update! Please hear me out, my GPS is not syncing at all! Please fix it and update it! ITS BEEN 5 YEARS! ### 1/5 — Looks like end of life *2025-05-28, version 2.9.8* With the recent iOS update, the Garmin GPS is no longer a compatible Bluetooth device. “BT-Garmin Drive” is not supported. Is the message when you try connecting via Bluetooth. I will miss the live traffic function. Extra irritation, just installed a Garmin backup camera last fall. I’m forced to give at least 1 star in order to submit, but it should be a zero as this is no longer compatible. ### 1/5 — Smartphone link *2025-05-13, version 2.9.8* Doesn’t do traffic so no point ### 1/5 — Great App, But Needs Urgent Update for Newer iPhones *2025-05-12, version 2.9.8* Review: I’ve been using Garmin Smart Link for years with my dēzl 780, and it’s been a great companion for traffic and real-time updates. However, with newer iPhones like the iPhone 15 Pro, the app struggles to maintain a proper connection—even though the phone shows it’s paired, the GPS often doesn’t recognize it. After a lot of troubleshooting, I finally got it working again by deleting and reinstalling the app. That tells me the core functionality is still there, but it desperately needs an update to be more stable with the latest iOS. Please don’t abandon this app—it’s essential for long-time Garmin users who paid a premium for your hardware. A small update could go a long way in keeping this platform useful and reliable. Hope to see a refreshed version soon! ### 1/5 — 検索はできない *2025-05-09* アプリ内で検索機能がありGoogleマップのように書き込んでもたとえ普通の駅名を入れても… 分からないと言う… ### 1/5 — Search function worthless *2025-04-25, version 2.9.8* The search function only works nearby. I was in New Mexico and the app kept me at home on Ohio. Can’t search anything away from the area it thinks you are in. No updates for years. ### 3/5 — garmin 61 bluetooth let-s *2025-03-30, version 2.9.8* would love it but yeah there’s a butt dang battery not worth nothing and if it goes bad even on charger it not right slow as heck if it even stays on for over 10sec when working i love it this is my #5 for me got a camara now for it see if its worth anything brutally honest we come finish review on it soon as i can get gps to stay on ### 1/5 — Pointless *2025-03-27, version 2.9.8* Doesn’t do much ### 1/5 — Total Bomb *2025-03-20, version 2.9.8* I was really hoping this would work and allow communication between my iPhone 14 and my gps. Total bomb. Crashes. Can’t view traffic by map or program just goes away and closes. Very disappointing to say the least. I would think a company that makes good, reliable gps would have a good interface. Nope. Falls flat on its face. ### 1/5 — App needs updated *2025-03-18, version 2.9.8* I got a Garmin 7inch GPS from 2019 but it won’t connect to the smart link like it used to years ago but I updated my GPS to the latest update I have data on my phone but this not smart link won’t connect when was the last update for this software? ### 1/5 — App abandonado *2025-03-15* Eu tenho um nüvi 3597 LMT que funciona perfeitamente até hoje, mas ele não é compatível com o Garmin Drive só porque a Garmin não quer. Sou obrigado a usar esse Smartphone Link, mas o app está abandonado, nunca foi estável, vive perdendo a conexão com o nüvi, isso quando simplesmente não funciona. Entendo que eu sou o pior tipo de cliente: aquele cuidadoso que os produtos simplesmente duram e que o app pode ser descontinuados ou até mesmo deixar de ser suportado porque há outro melhor, mas então porque não tornar o novo app compatível com os aparelhos legados? Só para eu ser forçado a comprar outro GPS? Eu até poderia fazer, só que no Brasil a Garmin deixou só um modelo básico sem metade dos recursos do meu nüvi 3597 e ainda cobra pelas atualizações do mapa, não dando mais de comprar com atualizações vitalícias, nem mesmo como opcional. A empresa deveria respeitar os clientes fiéis que ainda usam seus produtos de navegação automotiva com um suporte melhor, seja mantendo o Smartphone Link atualizado e sem bugs, par e passo com o Drive ou então suportar os dispositivos legados no Drive. Nota 0 para o app e para a Garmin. ### 1/5 — Crashes *2025-02-26, version 2.9.8* Any time the app selection for traffic map is selected the app crashes and closes. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Was working. Not now *2026-08-04, version 2.9.8* No matter what I do, this app will not work with my Drive Smart 61 GPS in my car to provide traffic. It was working a few weeks ago. Now it won’t. Have spent an absurd amount of time to try to fix it. Garmin needs to look into updating the app to work with current iPhone OS. ### 1/5 — WHEN IS A UPDATE COMING *2026-07-13, version 2.9.8* Update app please ### 1/5 — Terrible on so many levels *2026-06-18, version 2.9.8* BMW should be ashamed of supplying this Garmin product with their motorcycles. The app and device have never worked, have been replaced 5 times in 5 years. Avoid Garmin at all costs. ### 1/5 — Will not connect to satnav *2026-04-09, version 2.9.8* Simply will not connect to my garmin satnav, says it’s not connected to Bluetooth. Have restarted both devices with no luck, troubleshoot link takes to a page that has now been deleted. What is the point of this app if it won’t connect to my satnav? ### 1/5 — Features no longer work *2026-04-06, version 2.9.8* Been a garmin user for a long time. As a truck driver this app worked well with my dezl gps, even had a feature my dad loved. The dispatch and track. Well that no longer works. Now stuck in a loop of need to consent to tracking features and when you tap, I consent it goes back to you Need to consent to continue. Very disappointed. ### 1/5 — Unstable *2026-03-22, version 2.9.8* Crashes whenever I open the map. ### 1/5 — Disappointed with features *2026-02-20, version 2.9.8* I just bought a Garmin Zumo 396 for motorcycles and found the app will not full work with IOS 26 as the app won’t show notifications. When checking the Zumo in my Bluetooth I don’t have an option to turn on notifications. No, my phone is not on “do not disturb”. After hours of trying it appears this app hasn’t been updated in quite some time and it doesn’t look like it ever will. I can at least hear my phone ring and answer it through the Zumo but I don’t even get a notification sound with text messages. I was really hoping for an all in one unit so now I will have to keep my phone mounted on my motorcycle as well. ### 1/5 — Needs update *2025-12-30, version 2.9.8* Really needs a update ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work properly *2025-10-25, version 2.9.8* Needs to be updated. Doesn’t work properly ### 1/5 — Failed after ios 26 *2025-10-24, version 2.9.8* Was ok until ios 26 , now no longer provides traffic to devices, will the developer update it or do I need to move away from Garmin? Sad really, I’ve got 4 Garmin devices which require the link. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Good app, needs an update. *2026-06-18, version 2.9.8* This app works great as I still use an old nuvi navigator, but it could use a ui refresh. ### 5/5 — 5 ⭐️ *2026-01-10, version 2.9.8* Very useful app ### 5/5 — Alte Gamin ja neue Modelle nein *2025-08-31* Bei neueren Garmin Geräten ist seid iOS 15 diese App nutzlos. Habe mir jedoch jetzt gebraucht ein altes Model gekauft und es funktioniert wunderbar. Am liebsten würde ich mein Geld wieder zurück bekommen von meinem neuen Garmin Navi. ### 5/5 — Update please *2023-10-25, version 2.9.8* Only gave it 5 stars so the developer can come back and update the app. Nobody uses Foursquare anymore and the navigation can be unreliable, update maps? It’s been 84 years…. ### 5/5 — Hannes *2023-07-02* Die App funktioniert ich kann es nur weiter empfehlen alles stimmt die Bilder und in diese App kann man die Route eingeben fürs Gaby Navi da Brauch weil es nicht mehr die Route das Gaby Navi zu tippen ich wünsche euch viel Spaß mit Gaby na mit Gaby Gaby ich bin sehr zufrieden mit der App❤️🚗♥️💬🔔 Unser Wanderroute ein tippt das Gaby Navi das braucht man jetzt nicht mehr Man braucht jetzt noch sein Handy mit sein Handy kann man jetzt die Route ein tippen aber ihr könnt immer noch ihr könnt immer noch die Route in euer Kamin ein Tablett ihr wollt und die hat keine Werbung die App die hat keine Werbung die ☺️App und die kostet Nix viel Spaß mit der App ich bin sehr zufrieden mit der App👍🥳🥰😍 ich kann die App nur jedem weiter empfehlen viel Spaß mit der App ### 5/5 — Need update *2023-05-10, version 2.9.8* As truck driver, I love Garamin over other gps. But it need update. With more modern touch features. Interface is very smooth nd go through. Don’t change it. But need more bit nd bites. ### 5/5 — Nuvi 2597lmthd *2023-02-13, version 2.9.8* As of 2023, this app works flawlessly between my nuvi 2597 and my fully updated iPhone 12. I’m not sure why so many people are having connectivity issues. Inspire if it not being updated in many years, it obviously still recurves traffic and wether data from some old and faithful Garmin server somewhere lol. Traffic and weather are reasonably accurate ### 5/5 — srichardcu *2022-09-09, version 2.9.8* I have been using this app for over 3 years and have had no serious issues. That said, a straight forward User Manual by Garmin would be helpful. This last trip the Traffic menu came in handy due to construction and accident delays on the Trans Canada highway through the mountains. Distances and delay times were very accurate. Weather reports will come in handy in ski season. ### 5/5 — Love this App! *2022-06-30, version 2.9.8* Great for a Truck Driver as myself love the log and how I can send to my job and family to keep me safe and so they know where I’m headed way to go! Easy to use smooth and linked with my iPhone instantly !! Big Five stars to the creators for this one looking forward to updates love the fact you guys were able to add the weather when I linked my phone thank you so much!!! ### 5/5 — Great app and it works so well *2021-11-28, version 2.9.8* This app has saved me from some much headaches and delays with the traffic feature --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-17.*