Garmin Cirqa Bug Causes Workout Data Loss

Owners of the Garmin Cirqa, a screenless fitness tracker, have reported that their workout histories are disappearing unexpectedly. The problem occurs when a user starts an activity using the physical button on the tracker but attempts to finish it through the Garmin Connect mobile application. In these instances, the session does not save, effectively erasing the effort from the user's fitness log.

This glitch has created confusion among users who expected the app to manage the entire session regardless of how it was initiated. Although the device vibrates to confirm it has received the end command, the data fails to sync properly. The situation has prompted frustration in online support communities, where users are sharing their experiences with the missing logs.

The Specific Trigger for Missing Data

The core of the issue lies in the mismatch between the start and end methods. Reports indicate that if a workout is begun via the dedicated button on the Cirqa, ending it in the app causes the data to be lost. Conversely, starting and ending the session consistently through either the app or the button appears to function correctly. This inconsistency suggests a software logic error in how the device handles mixed-input sessions.

Users on Garmin’s support forums have noted that the app sometimes displays an 'Activity in Progress' prompt with options to resume or end. Selecting 'End' from this initial prompt is what triggers the deletion of the activity data. This behavior contradicts the standard expectation that ending a workout should save the record, regardless of the initial trigger.

Garmin’s Official Response and Workaround

A representative from Garmin has acknowledged the problem on the company’s support forum, confirming that the feedback has been shared internally for review. The company stated that they are gathering additional information from affected users to understand the scope of the issue. While no specific timeline for a permanent software patch has been provided, the acknowledgment indicates that the bug is under active investigation.

In the interim, Garmin has suggested a temporary workaround to prevent data loss. Users are advised that if an activity is started from the Cirqa and the app displays the 'Activity in Progress' message, they should select 'Resume' rather than 'End'. This action opens the full activity recording screen, where the session can be properly stopped and saved. Once the sync completes, the workout will appear in the user's history as expected.

Broader Context of Device Glitches

This issue arrives alongside other technical challenges facing Garmin users. For instance, owners of the Fenix 9 smartwatch on Mac computers have reported compatibility problems with the latest macOS release. The Garmin Express app, used for software updates and map installations, is incompatible with Apple silicon chips on the new operating system. This highlights a broader period of software instability across the brand's ecosystem, as reported by wearable tech outlet GN auto tech/wearables.

For Cirqa users, the practical implication is a need for heightened awareness during daily use. Until a patch is released, the safest approach is to maintain consistency in how workouts are managed. Starting and ending sessions on the same interface, whether the physical button or the app, remains the most reliable method to ensure that fitness data is preserved and accurately logged.