Setting Up Incident Detection on a Garmin Device

CAUTION: Incident Detection is a supplemental feature that must be set up within the Garmin Connect™ app. It SHOULD NOT be relied on as a primary method to obtain emergency assistance. Neither your Garmin device nor the Garmin Connect app will make contact with emergency service on your behalf¹.

NOTE: Forerunner® 945 LTE users, for specific details about safety feature on your watch see:  Forerunner 945 LTE: Safety Features

When a Garmin® device detects an incident occurrence, the Garmin Connect app on you phone can send your name and location (if available) to your Garmin Connect designated emergency contacts. Your location is determined using our LiveTrack location tracking feature. LiveTrack will create a real-time feed of your location during an activity. You must set up Incident Detection and emergency contacts in the Garmin Connect app. 

What Are the Requirements to Use Incident Detection? 

• Incident Detection MUST be available and enabled for the activity profile being used. Information about which of your device's Activity Profiles support Incident Detection is available below . 

• Incident Detection does not work with activity apps that are downloaded from the Connect IQ™ Store.

• The Garmin device must have LTE service enabled (only available for certain products), or the Garmin device must be connected via Bluetooth® to the Garmin Connect app on a compatible smartphone. If using an iOS smartphone, the Garmin Connect app must be open in the background of the smartphone and cannot be closed.

• For non-LTE Garmin devices, the connected smartphone must have a cellular signal with a subscribed data plan from a phone network provider.

• The Garmin device must have a GPS signal when Incident Detection is triggered. For devices that require connected GPS, an active Bluetooth connection, which will maintain the GPS connection with the paired phone, is required for activation of Incident Detection.

• Emergency contacts must be able to receive text and/or email messages.

• For incident detection to function as intended with a Garmin watch, it must be worn on the wrist.

How Do I Set Up Incident Detection?

Emergency contacts must be added through the Garmin Connect app before Incident Detection can be used. 

Setting Up Emergency Contacts

1. Open the Garmin Connect app.

2. Select More (lower right).

3. Select Safety & Tracking.

4. Select Safety Features.

5. If prompted, Accept the requirements to use Incident Detection.

6. Select My Information and input your information. When finished select the back or arrow option on the screen to return to the previous screen.

7. Select Add Emergency Contact.

8. Select from the list displayed. If your emergency contact is not listed select the three dots from the upper right corner then select Choose Phone Contacts or Create Contact.

9. Check contact information for each contact added by selecting them from the list. Choose the three dots or Edit from the upper right corner to edit a contact.

10. Select Send Request.

    • This will open your phone's messaging app. You will be able to send a message to your contact where they can opt in to receiving text messages from Garmin for the Incident Detection feature.

11. Once finished use the back option to exit this menu option.

How Do I Turn On Incident Detection for an Activity?

Incident Detection will be enabled and ready to use with supported Activity Profiles once emergency contacts have been set up in the Garmin Connect app and those contacts get synced to the device.

Which Activity Profiles Support Incident Detection?

Activity profiles that support Incident Detection vary by device. Select your device below to view which activity profiles support Incident Detection.

Some Garmin products will display the message Incident Detection is not supported or Incident Detection Unsupported when using an activity profile that is not compatible with Incident Detection. 

Will Incident Detection Trigger if the Activity Is Paused?

Yes. The incident detection feature is active after you start the timer until you end and save or discard the activity recorded in a compatible profile.

Will My Activity be Saved When Incident Detection is Triggered?

Yes. When an incident occurrence is detected, the watch will automatically end and save your current activity. The watch will start an Incident Detection activity to track your current location until the Incident Detection is ended.

¹ Watches that feature voice functionality can dial emergency services on your behalf if an incident is detected and you have set an emergency service number as your emergency calling number.