Garmin Locks Down Watch Face Designs: New Connect IQ Policy Sparks Developer Backlash
Garmin has quietly implemented a controversial policy change that's sending shockwaves through its developer community. As of today, May 27, 2025, the fitness tech giant is rejecting Connect IQ watch faces that closely resemble its proprietary designs, effectively preventing developers from recreating popular faces from newer models like the Instinct 3 Tactical, Forerunner 970, and 570 for older devices. This move marks a significant shift in Garmin's approach to third-party customization and raises questions about the future of the Connect IQ ecosystem.
The Policy Change Explained
According to reports from Garmin Rumors, Garmin has updated its Connect IQ submission guidelines to prohibit developers from publishing watch faces that mimic official Garmin designs. This represents a dramatic departure from the platform's historically open approach, where developers could freely create alternatives to Garmin's stock faces.
The new restrictions specifically target:
- Direct Copies: Watch faces that replicate Garmin's layout, design elements, and aesthetic choices
- Near-Identical Recreations: Faces with minor modifications that still closely resemble official designs
- Model-Specific Designs: Attempts to port exclusive watch faces from premium models to standard devices
Importantly, existing approved watch faces remain available in the Connect IQ store. However, developers attempting to submit new faces that resemble Garmin's designs are receiving rejection notices, effectively creating a grandfather clause for previously published content.
Timeline of Monetization Changes
This policy shift didn't emerge in a vacuum. It follows a series of changes to the Connect IQ platform that have gradually introduced commercial elements:
2024: The Paid App Revolution
- Garmin opened Connect IQ to paid applications and watch faces
- Developers gained the ability to charge for their creations
- The platform shifted from purely hobbyist to semi-commercial
Early 2025: Garmin Enters the Market
- Garmin began selling its own premium watch faces for $4.99
- Official faces featured exclusive designs and advanced customization
- Competition emerged between Garmin and third-party developers
May 2025: Design Restrictions Implemented
- New policy blocks recreations of Garmin's proprietary designs
- Existing similar faces grandfathered in
- Clear message sent about intellectual property protection
Developer Community Response
The Connect IQ developer community, once praised for its collaborative spirit, now finds itself divided. Prominent developers like GreenBlack, known for creating high-quality recreations of Garmin faces, face an uncertain future under the new guidelines.
Developer Concerns Include:
Creative Limitations
- Reduced ability to offer popular designs across device families
- Uncertainty about what constitutes "too similar" to Garmin's designs
- Fear of arbitrary rejection decisions
Economic Impact
- Lost revenue opportunities from popular recreation faces
- Increased development time needed to create original designs
- Competition with Garmin's own paid offerings
Platform Trust
- Questions about long-term viability of Connect IQ development
- Concerns about future policy changes
- Uncertainty regarding existing approved faces
User Frustration Mounts
Garmin's forums reveal a community increasingly frustrated with the company's direction. Users browsing the Fenix 8 series discussions and Enduro 3 forums express concerns that extend beyond watch face restrictions.
Common user complaints include:
- Feature Fragmentation: Popular watch faces exclusive to expensive models
- Paywall Proliferation: Growing number of features requiring additional payment
- Software Quality Issues: Persistent bugs while new monetization features roll out
- Value Proposition Concerns: Premium prices for devices with restricted customization
One frustrated Fenix 8 owner commented, "I paid $1,000 for this watch, and now I can't even get the Tactical watch face because Garmin wants to sell more Tactix units? This feels like a bait and switch."
The Business Logic Behind the Lock-Down
From Garmin's perspective, the policy change makes strategic sense. By protecting its design intellectual property, the company can:
Drive Hardware Sales
Exclusive watch faces become selling points for premium models. Users wanting specific designs must purchase the corresponding device, potentially increasing revenue from hardware upgrades.
Monetize Software
With Garmin now selling watch faces directly, protecting its designs prevents free alternatives from undermining paid offerings. This creates a new revenue stream beyond hardware sales.
Maintain Brand Consistency
Controlling watch face designs ensures users experience Garmin's intended interface, potentially reducing support issues from poorly designed third-party faces.
Differentiate Product Lines
Exclusive designs help justify price differences between models, making premium devices more appealing to status-conscious consumers.
Impact on the Connect IQ Ecosystem
The policy change raises fundamental questions about Connect IQ's future direction. Originally positioned as an open platform for customization, these restrictions signal a more controlled approach.
Potential Consequences:
Developer Exodus
- Talented creators may abandon the platform
- Reduced innovation in watch face design
- Fewer options for users seeking customization
User Migration
- Tech-savvy users might consider competing platforms
- Reduced loyalty among customization enthusiasts
- Potential impact on Garmin's enthusiast community
Platform Stagnation
- Less experimentation with new design concepts
- Reduced variety in the Connect IQ store
- Possible decline in platform engagement
Alternative Perspectives
Not everyone opposes Garmin's new policy. Some community members argue the changes are reasonable and necessary:
Supporting Arguments:
Intellectual Property Rights
- Garmin invested resources in creating original designs
- Protecting creative work encourages innovation
- Standard practice in software and design industries
Quality Control
- Official designs undergo rigorous testing
- Reduces confusion from near-identical faces
- Ensures consistent user experience
Business Sustainability
- Revenue from software helps fund future development
- Allows Garmin to compete with Apple and Samsung
- Supports continued platform investment
What This Means for Current and Future Garmin Owners
For existing Garmin watch owners, the immediate impact remains limited. Previously approved watch faces continue functioning, and developers can still create original designs. However, the long-term implications deserve consideration:
Current Owners Should:
- Download desired watch faces before potential removal
- Support original developers creating unique designs
- Consider the customization limitations when upgrading devices
Prospective Buyers Should:
- Research available watch faces for specific models
- Factor customization restrictions into purchase decisions
- Understand the true cost including potential paid faces
The Broader Industry Context
Garmin's policy shift reflects broader trends in the wearable industry. Apple Watch faces remain entirely proprietary, while Samsung offers limited customization through Galaxy Watch Studio. In this context, Garmin's Connect IQ platform, even with new restrictions, remains relatively open.
However, the timing raises eyebrows. As Garmin faces increased competition from Coros, Suunto, and others, restricting customization could alienate the enthusiast community that has long championed the brand.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Garmin Customization
The watch face policy change likely represents just one step in Garmin's evolving platform strategy. Future developments might include:
- Curated Design Programs: Official partnerships with select developers
- Subscription Services: Monthly access to premium face collections
- AI-Generated Faces: Personalized designs based on user preferences
- NFT Integration: Unique, tradeable watch face designs
Whether these changes strengthen or weaken the Connect IQ ecosystem remains to be seen. Much depends on how Garmin balances monetization goals with community expectations.
Navigating the New Normal
As the dust settles on this policy change, both developers and users must adapt to Garmin's new reality. Developers need to focus on original designs that don't infringe on Garmin's intellectual property. Users must decide whether exclusive watch faces justify premium device purchases or if customization flexibility matters more than specific designs.
The Connect IQ platform stands at a crossroads. Garmin's decision to restrict watch face designs that mimic its own creations marks a fundamental shift in philosophy. While protecting intellectual property remains a legitimate business concern, the execution risks alienating the very community that helped establish Garmin's reputation for customization.
For a company built on serving serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, maintaining community trust proves essential. The coming months will reveal whether Garmin can successfully balance commercial interests with the open ecosystem that made Connect IQ special. Until then, users and developers alike must navigate this new landscape of limited customization, paid features, and exclusive designs—a reality that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago in the Garmin ecosystem.