My answer for this has been to use Gadgetbridge - its an open source app which can replace the e.g. Garmin app, connecting to the device and gathering activity and sensor data plus forwarding notifications etc as you’d expect the first party app to do. The data remains exclusively on your phone, no servers involved.
Its not perfect, the Garmin UI is slicker and some minor features may not be supported but overall it’s really impressed me for a community effort.
I’ve been using this since March 2025 with a Garmin Forerunner 265 without any issues.
There are a wide range of supported devices, so you can buy the hardware you like/find a good deal and not worry about privacy based on the vendor.
My answer for this has been to use Gadgetbridge - its an open source app which can replace the e.g. Garmin app, connecting to the device and gathering activity and sensor data plus forwarding notifications etc as you’d expect the first party app to do. The data remains exclusively on your phone, no servers involved.
Its not perfect, the Garmin UI is slicker and some minor features may not be supported but overall it’s really impressed me for a community effort.
I’ve been using this since March 2025 with a Garmin Forerunner 265 without any issues.
There are a wide range of supported devices, so you can buy the hardware you like/find a good deal and not worry about privacy based on the vendor.
Gadgetbridge Site Supported Watches
Hah, as of today there at 666 supported devices!