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| The Garmin Connect IQ Store is currently delaying app updates by several days. |
Garmin promises changes, but frustrated developers say the damage is already done
If you're a Garmin user who's been waiting for that shiny new watch face or app update to hit the Connect IQ Store, you're not alone—and there's a reason for the holdup. According to a recent report from Notebookcheck, Garmin's developer ecosystem is currently drowning in a tidal wave of AI-generated submissions, and legitimate developers are paying the price.
What's Going On?
Garmin has long promised developers a three-day turnaround for app reviews. But over the past few weeks, that promise has become more of a fantasy than a reality. Developers report waiting well over a week—sometimes longer—for new apps, watch faces, and even simple updates to get published.
The culprit? A flood of AI-generated and frequently duplicated watch faces cluttering the submission queue. Garmin itself confirmed there was an "enormous number" of submissions last month, though the company stopped short of explicitly blaming AI tools.
Developers Are Speaking Out
The frustration is palpable on Garmin's official support forums. One developer, known as Silvero Studios, posted a detailed complaint about their Pac-Man app being stuck in review limbo for six days—nearly a full week—despite the stated three-day window. You can read the full thread and dozens of similar complaints on the Garmin Developer Forums.
"I'm missing out on a lot of downloads!" the developer wrote, noting they'd even tried switching the app from free to paid and back again just to get some movement.
Other developers chimed in with their own horror stories. One pointed out the absurdity of the situation: "You guys approve copycat apps, bad apps, hundreds of them in 2 weeks from one account while I am waiting since 9 October for a review!"
Another developer, behind the e-reader app WristTale, reported their submission had been pending for over a week as well.
The Paid Merchant Paradox
Perhaps the most frustrating part for many developers is that they're paying for merchant accounts—which charge fees on every sale—yet seeing no improvement in service. In fact, many argue things are getting worse.
Garmin's response? The company says apps and updates from developers with paid merchant accounts will be prioritized in the future. But here's the kicker: no timeline has been provided for when this new system will actually take effect.
AI "Slop" Is Ruining the Ecosystem
The forum thread reveals a deeper concern bubbling beneath the surface. Developers aren't just annoyed about wait times—they're worried about the overall quality of the Garmin Connect IQ Store.
"I have seen many cases where people are afraid to purchase and support other developers because they were scammed by these AI slop apps with fake images," one commenter noted.
Others called for stricter standards, including limiting the number of daily uploads per account and implementing better filtering for low-quality submissions.
Beyond the Store: Other Garmin Headaches
The review delays aren't the only issue plaguing Garmin's developer community. The Notebookcheck report also highlights that Garmin's new terms of use prohibit developers from forwarding data from the Garmin Connect API to other services—a change that has already led to some apps being discontinued, including Intervals Pro.
Additionally, developers have complained about core features not working properly when third-party apps access them, such as the GPS module on the new Garmin Fenix 9 Pro—a premium device that certainly isn't cheap.
What's Next?
Garmin has acknowledged the problem and promised improvements, but without a concrete timeline, developers are left in limbo. For now, if you're a Garmin user waiting on an app update—or a developer waiting on approval—patience is the name of the game.
One thing's for certain: the wild west days of AI-generated watch faces may be coming to an end, but not before leaving a trail of frustrated developers in their wake. Whether Garmin's promised prioritization system will actually fix the mess remains to be seen.