Garmin released the Connect IQ SDK 9.3.0 in October 2026. The update for the first time gives third-party applications access to the microphone and speaker of compatible watches.
The new Audio Capture API allows recording sound in WAV or Ogg formats, compressed with Opus or uncompressed LPCM, with a sampling rate from 8 to 44,1 kHz in mono or stereo. Noise reduction and echo suppression are built in. The Audio Output API plays clips from the application, generated sound or streaming data with control over playback, position and volume from 0 to 100 %.
Access is restricted: applications require the AudioInput and AudioOutput permissions, and recording works only in active mode — it is prohibited in the background. The features are available for watch apps, glances and audio apps, but not for watch faces and data fields. Support covers the Fenix 8 and 9 series, Forerunner 570 and 970, Venu 4 and X1, Approach S72 and a number of other models from 2025–2026.
Previously, the microphone and speaker were used mainly by Garmin's proprietary features, including the “OK Garmin” voice control. Now developers can create voice notes, personalized audio alerts, spoken coaching during workouts or apps for recording short messages without a phone.
The SDK also adds access to LTE on supported models: applications can check the connection status and the reasons for unavailability. The changes concern only developers — nothing will happen on users' watches until the applications are updated.
There are no ready-made applications using the new APIs yet, but the update significantly expands the capabilities of third-party developers on Garmin watches.
