Garmin U-turns On Connect+ Subscription

=> Published: 01 April 2025 <= Wow, it seems we were all wrong. Garmin has listened, ended the Connect+ debacle and cancelled the subscription, at least for now. Other than the Active Intelligence (AI) part of the paywalled service, which has been temporarily removed, it's all now free. The AI part was in beta in any case, and, I suppose, reading between the lines, that might be re-introduced later as a paid-for service once it adds some value. Sadly this post was published on April 1st.... https://the5krunner.com/2025/04/03/savefreegarmin/ Here's what the CEO said in a pretty grovelling apology(ish): At Garmin, we have always strived to create the best possible experience for athletes, adventurers, and everyday users. Our goal has never been just to sell products, but to build a community of people who trust us to support their goals with reliable, innovative technology. Over the past few days, we’ve heard you loud and clear. The introduction of Garmin Connect+ was a mistake. We misjudged how deeply our customers value the openness and accessibility of our platform, and we failed to communicate our intentions clearly. Many of you felt this was a shift in our philosophy—one that prioritised monetisation over the trust we’ve built over decades. That was never our intention, but we now realise that intention doesn’t matter if we’ve let our customers down. Because of this, we are discontinuing the Garmin Connect+ subscription service, effective immediately. With the exception of Active Intelilgence (AI) which we have withdrawn, the features introduced under this plan will be made available to all users at no additional cost. We are also committing to a renewed focus on delivering innovation without compromising the values that brought you to Garmin in the first place. We deeply appreciate your feedback, your passion, and your honesty. Garmin exists because of you, and we will continue to listen, learn, and improve. [Clifford Pemble, CEO, Garmin Inc] Take Out Published: 01 April 2025. => Sorry! More Like This: Garmin Acquires Strava While a world without subscriptions might sound tempting, the reality is that Garmin Connect+ is here to stay, and this might be its expanded future in a few years. At least the core Garmin experience remains free for now. https://the5krunner.com/2025/03/27/garmin-connect-subscription-shit-storm-swearing-allowed/ Further reading: Strava Athlete Intelligence now in beta for subscribers. Related: Garmin Guides and Reviews The features that Garmin Connect and Connect+ deliver depend on which watch you own. For current hardware reviews, see the Garmin Forerunner 970 Review, Garmin Forerunner 165 Review and Best Triathlon Watch 2026. For a detailed look at what is coming next, see Garmin Fenix 9: Expected Features and Release Date. For explanations of the training and health features at the centre of the Connect ecosystem: Training Status, Training Readiness, Body Battery, Sleep Score, VO2 Max and Race Predictor. New to Garmin? Start with How to Set Up Your New Garmin.