Install on your watch

Install a completed build over USB, then enable it on your watch.

Before you connect

Use a USB cable that supports data transfer. A charge-only cable can power the watch without letting Studio detect it. Close other apps using the watch’s USB connection.

Transfer with DialStudio

1. Open Projects → Builds and choose the completed build’s install action.
2. Connect the watch directly to your computer. If asked, select the watch’s USB data-transfer mode.
3. Wait for detection, then check the watch model, file name, and destination. If Studio cannot read the connected watch’s model, verify it on the watch and confirm the target before installing.
4. Choose Install on watch. Keep the cable connected until Studio reports Installed.
5. Eject the watch if your operating system offers that option, then disconnect it.

After transfer, Studio shows setup steps for the type of build you installed. A Watch app opens from the activity and app list, a watch face is applied from the watch-face menu, a Widget is added to the glance loop, and a Data Field is added to an activity data screen.

Studio transfers the built program to GARMIN/APPS on the watch. Editable projects and signing keys do not belong in that folder.

macOS notes

Some Garmin watches use MTP, a file-transfer protocol, and do not appear as Finder disks. Check detection in Studio. Close other transfer apps if the device connection is busy.

Allow access to the device or selected folder when macOS prompts. If the watch does mount as a disk, eject it before unplugging.

Windows notes

Wait for Windows to recognize the watch. It may appear as a portable device without a drive letter. Check detection in Studio before transferring.

If the watch only charges, use a data-capable cable or another USB port. See Device not detected for more checks.

Apply a watch face

1. Open your watch’s Watch Face menu. On many button models, hold UP/MENU from the current face. On touch models, touch and hold the face. Controls vary by model.
2. Find and select the new face.
3. Choose Apply.

If the face includes Watch customization, open the face’s settings from the same watch-face menu after applying it. Supported models can choose the styles, colors, and data fields allowed by the design. The menu name and controls vary by watch; models without Garmin’s native watch-face configuration feature use the designed defaults.

If the face is missing, confirm the transfer finished and the build targets this exact model. Use your watch’s manual to locate its watch-face menu.

Add a Data Field to an activity

1. Open the activity that should use the field, such as Run or Bike.
2. Open that activity's settings, then its data screens.
3. Choose a screen layout and select the field position to edit.
4. Pick the installed Connect IQ Data Field from the available fields.
5. Start a short test activity and check live values, missing-data behavior, zones, alerts, and any custom FIT data.

The exact menu names vary by watch and activity profile. If the field is missing, confirm the build targets this exact model and that the activity supports Connect IQ Data Fields.

Open a Watch app

1. Open the activity and app list on your watch.
2. Find and open the installed Watch app.
3. Review any permission requests before starting a session.
4. Test navigation, Back behavior, sensor states, and any activity or hardware workflow you configured.

Menu names vary by model. If the app is missing, confirm that the build targets this exact watch and that the transfer completed.

Check the result

Check text, live data, and each supported display mode on the watch. For Data Fields, also test the activity scenarios you care about and sync a short activity if you added custom FIT data. If the face will not load, switch to another face and follow watch-face troubleshooting.

After editing the design, build and install it again to update the watch. Local installation does not publish to the Connect IQ Store.