
Smartwatches have gradually replaced iPhones for runners, and Garmin has become one of the watches I rely on for everyday activities like tracking my runs, sleep, steps, heart rate, stress, and overall physical activity. It's also great for listening to music, thanks to its stellar battery life and storage space. I use my Garmin every day, and what I really love is being able to run with music through my Bluetooth headphones.
So where does the music come from? Spotify is one of the best options, and the built-in support makes the whole experience even better. The Premium subscription costs $11.99 a month, and it's worth it for the convenience of not needing my phone. The best part is that you don't always need a Premium subscription to get Spotify on your Garmin. There are two main ways to add Spotify to your watch, and I'll walk you through both. Let's get started!
What You Need:
- A Garmin Watch That Supports Spotify: Models like the Forerunner Music series, Venu, Fenix, or Epix can run the Spotify app.
- Garmin Connect App: Installed and updated on your iPhone or Android phone so you can manage your watch.
- Connect IQ Store: This is where you download the Spotify app for your Garmin.
- Wi-Fi on Your Watch: Needed when you download Spotify playlists or podcasts directly onto the device.
- (Optional) Spotify Premium: Required if you want to download music for offline listening. A free account still works if you use the other method with ViWizard Spotify Music Converter to add local files.
Part 1. Garmin Watches Compatible with Spotify
Think of this part as your "can my Garmin watch play Spotify?" check. Not every Garmin model can run music apps, and finding that out too late can be frustrating. Compatible watches usually support the Spotify app through the "Music Providers" section of the device. If you have a Forerunner Music model, a Venu, a Fenix, an Epix, or even a Vivoactive, you're all set, because these watches come with onboard storage and support Spotify. Look for models ending in "Music," which indicates a version with music storage. Storage varies by model, so it's always a good idea to check before you start.
Supported Garmin Models with Spotify:
- Forerunner Series: Forerunner 165 Music, Forerunner 245 Music, Forerunner 255 Music, Forerunner 255S Music, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 265S, Forerunner 645 Music, Forerunner 745, Forerunner 945, Forerunner 945 LTE, Forerunner 955, Forerunner 955 Solar, Forerunner 965
- Vivoactive Series: Vivoactive 3 Music, Vivoactive 4, Vivoactive 4S, Vivoactive 5
- Venu Series: Venu, Venu 2, Venu 2S, Venu 3, Venu 3S, Venu Sq Music
- Fenix Series: Fenix 5 Plus, Fenix 5S Plus, Fenix 5X Plus, Fenix 6 Pro, Fenix 6 Pro Sapphire, Fenix 6 Solar, Fenix 6S, Fenix 6X Pro, Fenix 7, Fenix 7S, Fenix 7X Pro, Fenix 7 Solar, Fenix 8
- Epix Series: Epix Pro, Epix Pro Sapphire, Newer Epix models with music support
- Other Series: MARQ Series (select models), D2 Series (D2 Air, D2 Delta, D2 Mach 1), Descent MK2 / MK3, Quatix 6, Instinct 2 Solar, Instinct 2X Solar, Approach S70
Part 2. How to Install and Set Up Spotify on Garmin Watch
Once you know your watch is compatible, the next step is getting the Spotify app on it. The setup is simple: use the Garmin Connect app and the Connect IQ Store on your phone to install Spotify. Then, sign in and sync your playlists, podcasts, and albums. In just a few minutes, your Garmin watch will be ready for music.
1: Pair Your Garmin Watch with Garmin Connect
Step 1 Place your watch in pairing mode.
Step 2 Open the Garmin Connect app and sign in to your Garmin account.

Step 3 Wait for the app to detect your watch and select Connect.
Step 4 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
2: Add a Wi-Fi Network to Your Garmin Watch
Step 1 Open the Garmin Connect app.
Step 2 Go to More (iOS) or tap the 3-line menu (Android).
Step 3 Navigate to Garmin Devices > [Your Watch] > General > Wi-Fi Networks.
Step 4 Tap Add a Network, then select and connect to your Wi-Fi.
3: Install the Spotify App
Step 1 Launch the Garmin Connect IQ Store from the Garmin Connect app.
Step 2 Sign in with your Garmin Connect credentials, if prompted.
Step 3 Select your watch model and search for the Spotify app.

Step 4 Tap Download, granting necessary permissions as requested.
Step 5 Sync your watch using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Garmin Express to complete the installation.
4: Set Up Spotify on Your Watch
Step 1 Press and hold the DOWN Key on your watch.
Step 2 Select Music Providers and choose Spotify.
Step 3 Open the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone when prompted.
Step 4 Log in to your Spotify Premium account within the app.
Step 5 Return to your watch and select Get Started.
5: Add Music & Podcasts
Step 1 Open the Spotify app on your watch and tap Your Library.
Step 2 Browse categories such as Playlists, Recently Played, Made for You, or Podcasts.
Step 3 Select the desired content and press and hold the DOWN Key to open Add Music & Podcasts.
Step 4 Choose the playlist, album, or podcast you want to download.
Once downloaded, your music and podcasts will be available offline, allowing for a truly untethered workout experience.
Additional Features:
Customizable workout modes
Heart rate zones and stress tracking
GPS for accurate route tracking during runs and cycling
Step and calorie tracking for everyday activity
VO2 max score to track fitness progress
Intensity minutes to gauge workout effort
Long battery life for extended workouts
Sleep tracking with insights and trends
Notifications for texts, calls, and app alerts right on my wrist
Find My Phone feature when I misplace my smartphone
Part 3. How to Download Spotify Music and Podcasts on Garmin (Premium Account)
If you have Spotify Premium, this is the easiest way. Premium lets you download playlists and podcasts straight to your Garmin over Wi-Fi, so you can listen without your phone. It's the official method and the smoothest option if you want true offline listening.
- Make a Playlist: Spotify on Garmin can sync Playlists, Made for You mixes, Recently Played lists, and Podcasts. For individual songs, create a playlist to include tracks from Liked Songs.
- Check Storage: Make sure your watch has enough free space. Some models can hold up to 500 songs.
- Download While Charging: Sync your playlists while the watch is charging to avoid interruptions.
- Battery Life Management: Charge your watch beforehand if you plan extended playback.
- Connectivity Issues: Put your watch in Offline Mode to prevent interruptions when playing downloaded content.
- Water Resistance: If you plan to use Spotify while swimming, make sure your Garmin watch supports music playback under water.
- Listen Offline: Once synced, you don't need Wi-Fi or your phone to play your music.
1. Play Music on Your Garmin Watch
Step 1 Press and hold the DOWN Key on your Garmin watch to open the Music Controls menu.
Step 2 If prompted, choose Spotify as your default music provider. This step is required only the first time you use Spotify on your watch.
Step 3 Navigate to Your Library, where you'll find all synced playlists, albums, and podcasts.
Step 4 Use the navigation keys or touch controls (if available) to browse through categories like Playlists, Albums, or Podcasts. For workout motivation, try playlists from Made For You.
Step 5 Select the content you want to play and press the Start/Select Key to begin playback.
Step 6 While your music is playing, you can manage playback easily:
- Pause/Play: Press the Start/Select Key to toggle playback.
- Skip Tracks: Use the UP and DOWN Keys to skip forward or backward within your playlist or album.
- Adjust Volume: Hold the UP Key and scroll to adjust the volume.
2. Switch from Music to Podcasts
Want to switch from music to podcasts? Follow these steps:
Step 1 Press and hold the DOWN Key to return to the Music Controls menu.
Step 2 Select Your Library and navigate to the desired content category (e.g., Podcasts).
Step 3 Choose your podcast or playlist and press Start/Select to begin playback.
Part 4. How to Download Spotify Music and Podcasts on Garmin (Free Account)
If you don't have Premium, you still have options. Using ViWizard Spotify Music Converter, you can download songs, albums, playlists, podcasts, and even audiobooks as local MP3 files. ViWizard keeps up to 320Kbps audio quality for a satisfying listening experience. It also automatically adds metadata like title, artist, album, genre, and album art to each file. This makes it easy for your Garmin watch to identify and organize your tracks when transferring them through Garmin's music manager. It takes a few extra steps, but it works well if you want music on your Garmin without Premium - or if you want tracks you can play anywhere.
Key Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
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- Download Spotify songs, playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks extremely fast at up to 15x speed
- Convert Spotify into MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly
- Lets you play Spotify tracks offline on any device without restrictions
- Works seamlessly on Windows and macOS, supporting the built-in Spotify Web Player
1: Download Spotify Music with ViWizard Spotify Music Converter
Step 1 Download and install a Spotify music converter on your computer. Choose the version for Windows or Mac and follow the instructions to set it up.

Step 2 Open the converter and sign in with your Spotify account. You’ll see your playlists, albums, podcasts, and saved tracks.
Step 3 Browse your library or use the search bar to find the music, podcasts, or audiobooks you want. Add them to the conversion list using the Add button.
Step 4 Choose a compatible format like MP3 for your Garmin watch. You can also adjust audio quality settings such as bitrate (up to 320kbps), sample rate, and channels to ensure good sound.

Step 5 Click the Convert button. The software will remove DRM protection and create standard audio files.

Step 6 When finished, open the output folder. Your tracks are now ready to transfer to your Garmin watch using the Garmin music manager.

2: Transfer Music to Your Garmin Watch

Step 1 Use the provided USB cable to connect your Garmin watch to your computer.
Step 2 Launch the Garmin Express app.
Step 3 Choose your Garmin watch from the device list.
Step 4 Click Music in Garmin Express.
Step 5 Browse for the Spotify tracks you just converted under My Music or iTunes Library.
Step 6 Check the boxes next to the desired tracks and click Send to Device to transfer.
Step 7 Once the transfer is complete, safely eject your Garmin watch from your computer.
Part 5. How to Play Spotify on Garmin Watch through Bluetooth Headphones
Now it's time to start listening. Pair your Bluetooth headphones with your Garmin watch, open Spotify, and select a playlist, album, or podcast. You can control play, skip tracks, and adjust volume right from your watch. This is the final step where everything comes together.
Step 1 Open the Settings menu on your Garmin watch.
Step 2 Go to Music > Headphones, and follow the prompts to pair your headphones.
Step 3 Press and hold the DOWN Key to open the Music Controls menu.
Step 4 Select Library to access your locally stored playlists, albums, or tracks.
Step 5 Choose your desired content and press the Start/Select Key to begin playback.
Step 6 Adjust volume or skip tracks using the UP and DOWN Keys as needed.
Conclusion:
That's all! If you are facing the issue of playing Spotify on Garmin watch, then you can quickly know the details in this post. No matter whether you have a Spotify premium subscription, you will have the chance to listen to Spotify through your Garmin watch. The help of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter can enable you to download Spotify songs to your Garmin watch without a premium account. Have a try, and you'll find it out!

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