Learn About Garmin Data

Collect Garmin data for research: create Garmin accounts, prepare device firmware, sync devices, capture historical and beat-to-beat data, and read sleep data.

Preparing Garmin Devices with Updated Firmware

Update new Garmin devices to the latest firmware over USB with the Garmin Software Updater Tool for Mac or PC before pairing them with a mobile app.

Syncing Garmin Devices

Keep Garmin devices syncing to Fitabase through Garmin Connect, set auto sync frequency to protect high resolution data, and enable historical data access.

Creating Garmin Accounts

Set up Garmin Connect accounts for participants, enter accurate demographics for calorie and heart rate zone data, and use Gmail plus addresses at scale.

Working with Garmin Sleep Data

Choose between the Most Complete Version, Tentative Version Only, and All Versions exports for Garmin sleep data, and why nights have multiple versions.

Garmin Datasets

See every Garmin dataset Fitabase collects through the Garmin API, grouped by daily, 15-minute epoch, minute, and second resolution.

Collecting Enhanced Beat to Beat Interval Data Using Garmin Devices

Collect Garmin Enhanced Beat to Beat Interval (EBBI) data during sleep, use its confidence scores to filter weak beats, and see which devices support it.

Capturing Historical Garmin Data

Pull historical Garmin data into Fitabase by having participants turn on the Historical Data permission during authorization or later in Garmin Connect.