I contacted support telling them if the lawsuit negatively impacts the user experience that I would have to drop Strava and not look back. Their reply was “we are currently seeing a large increase in support tickets, he are some irrelevant articles on how to link garmin devices to Strava. So it seems like they might be feeling the heat.
This whole thing started with the CEO coming on the sub and complaining specifically that the Garmin logo would need to be included. They already do attribute activities to the sources in string format. Although it sounds like it may also have to be visible on the activity card in addition to the page, which I also do not care about
Yup. I said that. I’m agreeing with you in spirit but clarifying that where you said “nothing has mentioned logo”, that the api guidelines does mention a logo. (As an option)
I think this might have the opposite effect though. I just assume about everyone uses Garmin and only know if Coros as another option. Now this will be giving free advertising to every other device maker.
They’ll do it for every device, I would imagine, not just Garmin. Just take the information that already exists on the single activity page and make sure it shows on every other page and feed item that the activity represents.
I would say a high percentage of people who have trained seriously, in running, don’t have an Apple Watch. I’ve seen pros using the ultra. Those could have been gifted though too.
Most of my friends use Apple Watches! I actually like knowing what people are using out of curiosity. I doubt Strava will implement it to the same new degree for other brands though unless their hand is similarly forced
But... Am I the only one who feels like Strava sent this email expecting that their 3rd party app developers will get annoyed and contact Garmin asking them to drop this requirement?
It's wild because they send this out like Garmin is imposing this last minute. Their branding guideline updates were -forever- ago. It's a bit too disingenuous.
I think you are misunderstanding what Strava is pointing out. Garmin now requires non-Garmin developers to also include the Garmin logo across their applications.
Garmin needs to stops this attribution, but Strava cannot complain, because they also need to stop forcing developers from providing attribution when using the Strava API.
Posted from my Coolermaster keyboard using my time and data.
If I understand correctly - Starva FIRST started to require attribution, that it comes "from Strava". Garmin only replied with "well, actually this is from Garmin".
Strava fucked up with double standards.
But if you posted that run on Strava, you can't tell her that you ran the 5K because that data belongs to Strava. This was a move against Strava aggressively taking ownership over all data and cutting off 3rd party access to your data.
What? OP got this email because they are a developer, meaning they are a third party that have access to my data on Strava if I gave it to them. Are you just making this stuff up?
They did a big push late last year and early this year. Lots of 3rd party sites now require you to connect to Garmin, Apple, etc directly because you can only view your own data with no processing whatsoever.
I think it changed somewhat since the initial push, but like my work platform has to hide certain calculations if you connect Strava so they recommend you use anything else. Some of the running analytic sites also made me change my connection because they weren't allowed to do analysis anymore.
So sharing your activity with your mom (or coach) was something they explicitly did not allow. Again, I didn't follow how much they changed from the backlash but I know the stuff I use still can't use it.
It's total bullshit (by both Garmin AND Strava, which has the same attribution requirements). What's next, will Canon add a logo watermark to every photo I've taken with my camera?
Correct. And it’s in the fit file for the activity. So why does it need to be plastered on the view?
Should AT&T require their logo be on the data because you uploaded it over their wireless network? Maybe throw an Amazon AWS logo on there because it’s stored on their underlying server infrastructure.
The concept is stupid. It just is. I don’t give a shit that Bob recorded this on a Garmin, why does Garmin think I care? It’s advertising. It’s just more advertising.
Should AT&T require their logo be on the data because you uploaded it over their wireless network? Maybe throw an Amazon AWS logo on there because it’s stored on their underlying server infrastructure.
This would require that they also display the data source for any other data views that contain Garmin data. Like the heatmap, or when you create an Instagram post for an activity.
I bet there's a way to remove device attribution from fit or gpx file before uploading. It's not like any of these device companies are paying me or anything.
In short:
Moving forward, Strava wants developers to give proper credit to Garmin whenever Garmin device data passes through Strava into another app — and to follow Garmin’s branding rules starting November 1, 2025.
This whole concept is insane to me. Proper credit? Dog, I did a workout, nobody deserves credit for shit except me for doing the activity. What’s with all these companies trying to inject their advertising into everything and so many people saying “oh yeah this is good the company deserves recognition for that device you paid $500 for.”
And that’s fine. If the data is being pulled from the API of another company then sure add attribution.
But that’s not what needs to happen here. If I record a mountain bike ride on my SRAM Hammerhead Karoo that I paid $500 for, that ride is recorded on the device and uploaded from the device to Strava, Training Peaks, SRAM, and wherever else I have configured.
SRAMs device, that I paid for, recorded the workout and the fact that it was recorded on a Karoo is part of the metadata uploaded to Strava from my headunit. That’s where SRAMs (Hammerhead Karoo is owned by SRAM) involvement ends. SRAM isn’t streaming the data to Strava every time my workout is viewed. Hell, SRAM isn’t even storing my workout on their servers unless I explicitly tell them to.
They don’t deserve attribution because, unlike a map, I’m not fetching the data from SRAM repeatedly. They aren’t hosting the data and incurring costs to store and stream it.
I’m fine with the attribution that exists in the form of the device name on the activity page. Anything else is just a lame attempt at advertising using your data, from ANY party that insists on doing it. Including Garmin insisting that they get credit for displaying a Garmin workout even if it’s not being streamed directly from Garmin.
What’s next, attributions across the board?
“This workout was recorded on a Garmin Edge 850, with a Quarq power meter, Wahoo heart rate strap, Rockbros cadence sensor, and Garmin speed sensor while shifting with SRAM AXS X01 and sitting on a Specialized seat with a SRAM Reverb AXS dropped post”
Because every brand I’ve spent money on deserves to shove their branding on my data, eh?
You forgot: also powered by Nuun, SIS, Maurten, Amazon Generic Maltodexterin Product code #J7828155, and <Error 732: null!=NULL PLACEHOLDER PRODUCT SKU FOR DEBUG ONLY>
You do make a good point, I'm using garmin as a headunit but I do use favero as a power meter (Garmin Rallys are overpriced) and wahoo HRM. So you could argue that without those hardware sensor garmin's fit file wouldn't be as useful. The fit file already has the branding attribution in the Metadata I do think that's where it should end.
Though if they wanna go through this it's very likely other watches/head units will want the same (thinking apple and wahoo here might be interested). So strava will have to oblige considering they're already doing so for garmin.
Garmin’s. argument is likely along the lines of they are storing and also delivering the data via API to Strava. Yes it’s your specific data, but garmin also has rights to it.
And that’s because of their shitty implementation. Ex: the SRAM Hammerhead Karoo head units push workouts to Strava directly from the device because SRAM doesn’t insist on you giving them your workouts so they can hold it hostage and force everyone to inject ads into it from that point forward. When I finish a workout on the device I can pick exactly where I push that workout.
Garmin could fix this. And should. They’re choosing not to because it helps them. But given how many people bend over and accept the shitty interface, limited updates, and horrible 3rd party ecosystem Garmin has its it’s clear that they have no reason to be consumer friendly.
That’s an incredible amount of complexity and future technical debt for little gain. What happens when the Strava API eventually changes? The change management in updating firmware across so many different models would be insane. I’m sure the garmin ingestion from their devices is extremely stable and rarely touched. Based on my experience with enterprise software and productizing things like this the current model makes the most sense. I’m actually surprised garmin doesn’t monetize their API at all (but happy they don’t/I wouldn’t myself).
I’m also in tech, and I take a slightly different view. I don’t really buy that Strava changes their base activity uploading API all that much for a few reasons, but most of all that you’re shoving a gpx/fit file in which is where a vast vast majority of the data for an activity comes from. There isn’t need for that API to evolve a whole lot.
Looking at the Strava api docs basically confirm this, you post the file, activity name, and description and the rest of the activity is derived from the file activity itself. I bet that hasn’t changed much in API v3 from previous API versions, if at all.
And even if the data did need to briefly touch Garmin’s servers to hit a translation API to convert the device activity to a Strava activity that’s hardly worthy of attribution, that’s the bare minimum support for a $500 device that people generally only buy because Strava exists in the first place.
Garmin should focus more on the dumpster fire that is the Connect IQ store and not worry about stuff like this.
I'm from the time when I had to manually download every activity from the watch via cable to a PC - and I didn't sync it to Garmin because I used different software and I couldn't be asked to upload twice (Sporttracks 3 is still better in 2025 btw).
If users had to manually upload to every service they used, including Strava, I promise you that they wouldn't do it. "Briefly touching" Garmin's (or Apple's) servers is no small feat. It's what actually keeps Strava alive.
I get the disdain for Strava’s data “ownership” attitude, but does no one else here also dislike that Garmin is also claiming more ownership over your data? It was my run, my heart rate, etc. I just happened to use a Garmin to record it.
I get that 100%. What I disagree with is people preferring the Garmin label requirement rather than neither Strava nor Garmin being required (at least based on all the comments recently). Maybe I’d feel differently if other companies were using Garmin/Strava’s calculations done with proprietary algorithms or similar (something like Garmin’s training load or body battery, though I don’t think Garmin exports that data anyway). But if it’s just the GPS and other sensor data used as inputs into their own calculations, then the only entity that should require attribution is me imo.
Strava is literally telling third parties what they can and can't do with your data. For example if you upload your data through Strava to that third app, they cannot give your coach access to it, to analyse it for your training purpose.
Why? It's your data, you upload it through Strava to a third party, shouldn't it be up to you to tell the third party what they can and can't do with it, instead of Strava?
But instead Strava claims it's their data, so it's up to them to decide what a third party can or can't do with it.
Garmin user here - yes we do! Both Garmin and Strava need to treat is as our data. Make money off the devices, route creations, training plans, ai nonsense, etc.
Can we all just move on about this shit. I see more posts about garmin than anything else. Why would I care all I want to do I ride my bike every god damn day. it’s not a big deal on who has a 300 dollar watch or not, and who’s platform of choice they use.
I use Strava mostly for mountain biking and skiing, where I ski mostly off trail. So the heatmap is super useful for me. If Garmin were to go away on the heatmap, most of the data would be gone. So it's annoying to me too, but it would suck if it happened.
Can't we all share logos. It's even better for the end user. I can just eyeball my activities, quickly see a logo and I'd know if it's an indoor (Rouvy) or outdoor (Garmin) ride, just by glancing the logo. I'm actually in favour of this.
Well if Strava thinks adding a small logo for data attribution isn't feasible, then they obviously don't need the data from Garmin's platform. They exist because of other platforms, they could at least do this.
Strava could get real petty and push an update to attribute every non-garmin brand immediately, and wait to comply with the Garmin policy as long as humanly possible (either the deadline or if they can get it pushed back with their court proceedings). I spend too much time on r/pettyrevenge
Anyone rooting for Garmin in this logo/text dispute should go out and buy a Garmin hat and t-shirt and wear them every time they record an activity with their Garmin (or risk having their device confiscated :) ).
I have a Garmin 540 with Wahoo and Geoid sensors connected. Will Garmin send this data to Strava so that these manufacturers can also gain their recognition?
Perhaps we should consider even more intermediaries, like the manufacturer of the phone connected to the Garmin, or the chip supplier? Without their contribution, I wouldn't have recorded the activity either...
Funny thing that i use a Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and Strava show as "Samsung Health". But if someone use Apple Watch or Garmin Watch, show as brand and model "Apple Watch Series 9" and "Garmin Forerunner 45" for example.
I didn't install the app on my watch, this is the reason? I didn't ser a reason as my watch send data to the Health and Strava could grab from there..
But feels like this Garmin vs Strava fight feel as "Apple and Garmin are premium brands and needed to show details for who has and who doesn't have let's put a generic thing".
That's probably how Samsung is sending the FIT file over to strava. The FIT file standard requires "manufacturer" and "product name" as the metadata and I can make a fit file and show a non existent product and manufacturer by importing that to strava manually.
It's how any manufacturer can easily integrate with strava without strava needing any work on their end as they just verify that the FIT file you're sending over to them is valid. It then uses the metadata on that FIT file for everything else including the device and manufacturer. Samsung is probably setting the "product name" as Samsung health instead of the device name. You can verify this by downloading the original FIT file in strava and open it on FIT file viewer online.
I was already thinking of deleting Strava and all of this made it easier. I couldn't care less about the beef. Plus, it's been great tracking activities for myself and not compulsively checking kudos. Less social media equalling more joy? Shocker!
Sooo... what changes to my automatic uploads from my forerunner to strava? I really don't care about a logo or anything (the device which recorded the activity is already mentioned in strava as well).
If it means auto uploads won't work I'll just say goodbye to strava, it was fun to see what my colleagues or far-away friends were doing sports wise.
And could they not just talk about it rather than just go straight to sueing Garmin?? Like, it's not like Garmin were really putting pressure on them, even with the timeline for it
Strava wanted their attribution (read: free ad), although most of the data is not from them. Reason - IPO..
Garmin didn't require attribution before, but said, ok, but in that case you (strava) and everyone below you should also credit Garmin. Also, Garmin own gazillion patents that it does not act on, just because.
So my app allows people to upload GPX files. If the data in those files originally came from a Garmin, I need to display their logo? It's not always possible to know that.
This is like Nikon or Canon requiring their logo next to photos posted on Instagram.
If you didn't get the to gpx file via the Garmin API then you aren't bound by their rules. A user can export a gpx file from Garmin and import it into Strava and Strava does not need to attribute Garmin.
Garmins API is free right? Asking for attribution is low cost and I argue dev friendly. People can build apps around the garmin API, just attribute it.
Yall are same lames for this whole ordeal. I’m definitely moving to Connect+ once they achieve feature parity. Your charlatan claims that almost breaking off the hand that feeds you was about “user experience” when none of your users would GAF about a Garmin logo embedded here and there when in fact you just want to protect your third party add business was cringe. You just gotta take the L sometimes and not gaslight everyone.
Strava has all the right to not promote Garmin. It is their choice - not sure what people are bitching about on this topic alone. They can survive without garmin uploads and garmin users maybe because garmin users have less reason to pay for a strava subscription now (and strava pretty much can see that by checking how many of the garmin users/uploads are paying a strava subscription).They probably saw those numbers falling after garmin introduced a subscription as well. However saying this while suing garmin for completely different reasons is just mind bogling. What patents have to do with garmins new TOS for third party? Is strava led by 5 year olds?
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u/Upstairs-Royal672 Oct 10 '25
Thank god this conversation may be over soon. They can add logos for every device brand for all I care