Garmin drops support for Vivoactive 3 on Windows phone

Garmin has confirmed that it doesn't support using its Vivoactive 3 fitness watch with Windows phones. Responding to a query from German blog WindowsUnited.de, a Garmin customer support representative Windows phone will no longer be supported with new Garmin devices.

Given the current state of Microsoft's mobile efforts, the move likely won't come as a surprise to many. Curiously, a member of our forums named bellyer reported success with setting up the Vivoactive 3 with a Lumia 950 in September, but connection and notification issues have since cropped up. But a quick check of Garmin's Vivoactive 3 listing shows that Windows phone isn't included in its official smartphone compatibility.

If you're using a Windows phone and looking for a more recent fitness band to pair with it, this limits your options quite a bit. Fitbit has consistently continued to support the Windows ecosystem, and its new Ionic smartwatch appears to be your best bet. Older Garmin devices should theoretically continue to work with the Garmin Connect app as well.

Oh, what could have been, Microsoft Band 2.

See Fitbit Ionic at Amazon

Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl