Garmin XT3 Setup WITHOUT Data Synching

[Steve Jarrell]

I mentioned this in this previous post, but that is a long post about .gpx file transfer to the XT3 so the setup part may get overlooked. That post also outlines why I personally DO NOT want my XT3 to synch with Garmin's cloud service (Explore). If you're happy with the Tread data synching, then read no further!

To set up a new XT3 with the Tread app and use Tread's valuable features (see the linked post above, but briefly the Tread app can connect the XT3 to whatever headset that your phone is connected to and it can enable the XT's realtime traffic and weather features) WITHOUT synching your XT3 data with Garmin Explore do the following:

1. Go through the initial Garmin XT3 setup steps. DO NOT enable data synching when prompted. SKIP THAT STEP! If you do enable it, the only way that I found to stop the data synching was to do a total reset of the XT3, remove the bluetooth connection from the phone, remove the Tread app and start completely over. DO NOT connect the XT3 to your phone via bluetooth at this time. If you have WiFi connect that during the XT3 setup as well.

2. Install the Garmin Tread app from the Apple Store or Google Play and go through its setup. When prompted during the setup, connect the Tread app to the XT3. During this setup the app will make the Bluetooth connection between your phone and the XT3.

Make sure that you allow the Tread app to run all of the time in the background and not just when you're using it. Otherwise, you are going to have to start the app each time before you ride.

That should do it! Your XT3 will show a Bluetooth connection to your phone and a WiFi connection, but it will not show a headset connection as the XT3 to your headset connection is managed through the Tread app.

I am writing this from memory as I don't want to reset my XT3 and remove the Tread app and start completely over to ensure that I didn't miss documenting a step, so if I did please correct me!