Live tracking that works with my GPS watch or bike computer

If you mean letting someone follow your live location while you ride or exercise, these are the main options:

• Garmin watch or Edge bike computer — Garmin LiveTrack. Shares your location and ride/workout data with chosen contacts. For most devices, you need your phone with you, connected to cellular data and the Garmin Connect app; some LTE models can track without the phone if you have an active LTE subscription. (support.garmin.com)
• Wahoo ELEMNT computer — Wahoo Live Track. Shares a live map and ride data through a link. It requires the computer to stay connected to your phone, and the phone needs internet access. (support.wahoofitness.com)
• Strava Beacon — compatible watch or phone. Strava says Beacon works with Apple Watch, Wear OS, and Garmin devices that support LiveTrack with autostart; it requires a Strava subscription. (support.strava.com)

Quick rule of thumb: If you already have a Garmin or Wahoo, try its built-in feature first. Tell me the brand and model of your watch or bike computer—and whether you’ll carry your phone—and I can narrow down exactly what will work.

Most major watch and bike computer brands have built-in live sharing. Which one fits depends on your device and whether you carry a phone.

Garmin (watches and Edge computers)

• LiveTrack needs a phone. For LiveTrack to work, you must have your phone with you. It must be connected and paired with the Garmin Connect app, and if you have an iPhone, the app must be open in the background while LiveTrack is running.
• Setup is in Garmin Connect under Safety & Tracking > LiveTrack. Add or invite recipients to view your LiveTrack session under Share Session (Android) or Share Web Link (iOS). Viewers can see current location, average pace, elapsed time, distance, elevation gain, heart rate and cadence, among other things.
• A session ends automatically after 24 hours by default, and you can extend it.
• An LTE watch with an active subscription can work without your phone. If you have the Forerunner 945 LTE, with an active LTE subscription, you do not need to have your phone with you.

Strava Beacon (Garmin, needs a Strava subscription)

• Requirements include the Strava mobile app, a Strava subscription, the Garmin Connect mobile app, and a compatible Garmin device.
• With Autostart on, a link goes to your safety contacts when you start recording. Your phone still has to send the location, and it needs cellular service. If you lose service during your activity, your location updates the next time you're back in service.

Wahoo (ELEMNT and ROAM)

• Live Track is built into the Wahoo companion app. It creates a shareable link that can be sent to friends and family. You can choose a link that expires at the end of the day, or a permanent link that works whenever you turn on your ELEMNT and enable Live Track.
• Wahoo says live tracking and sharing are included when you buy the head unit. Buying the computer gives you the standard Wahoo app, route planning, and live tracking and sharing.

Komoot and Trailforks

• Komoot's live tracking requires a premium subscription. A premium subscription unlocks additional features, such as a multi-day planner and live tracking.
• Trailforks includes conditions reports, live tracking and even points of interest, which makes it more useful for trail riding than for general tracking.

Cross-brand note: BikeOtter is a newer companion app that sends routes and alerts over Bluetooth to Wahoo units. Garmin Edge support is in beta, and route sending, ride downloads and live tracking are free. Coros and Hammerhead are planned, so check its current device list before relying on it.

If you tell me your watch or computer model and your phone, I can narrow this down. The main questions are whether you need a subscription and whether you can leave your phone behind.

Live tracking is a standard feature for most modern GPS watches and bike computers, allowing friends and family to monitor your location in real-time. Because most of these devices do not have their own cellular connection, they rely on a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone to transmit data.

Here is how you can use live tracking across the most popular devices:

1. Dedicated Device Features (Built-in)

Most major brands have their own native live tracking systems that are free to use, provided your phone is with you and has a cellular signal.

• Garmin (LiveTrack):
  • How it works: Open the Garmin Connect app on your phone, go to "Safety & Tracking," and select "LiveTrack." You can set it to "Auto Start" so that every time you begin a timed activity on your watch or bike computer, a link is automatically sent to your selected contacts.
  • Compatibility: Most modern Garmin watches (e.g., Fēnix, Forerunner) and Edge bike computers support this.
• Wahoo (Live Track):
  • How it works: Use the Wahoo ELEMNT Companion App. Once your device is paired, you can enable "Live Track" in the app settings. You can choose to share your link automatically via email or social media whenever you start a ride.
• Hammerhead (Karoo):
  • How it works: Use the Karoo Companion App. Enable "Live Tracking" in the device settings and share the generated link via the app. It requires an internet connection via your phone or a SIM card inserted into the device.

2. Third-Party Integration (Strava Beacon)

If you prefer to use one platform for all your tracking, Strava Beacon is a popular choice.

• How it works: Strava Beacon generates a unique URL that you can text to safety contacts. They do not need a Strava account to view your location; they can open the link in any web browser.
• Setup: You can set this up within the Strava app on your phone.
  • If you have a compatible Garmin device, you can link it to Strava so that your Beacon link is sent automatically when you start your Garmin activity.
• Subscription Note: While using the Strava app on your phone to track yourself is free, using "Beacon" integration with connected devices (like Garmin watches or bike computers) often requires a Strava subscription.

Important Requirements for Success

• Smartphone Tethering: With very few exceptions (like specific LTE-enabled watches), your GPS device needs to be connected to your phone via Bluetooth to send location data. If you ride or run out of cell range, the tracking will pause and resume once you regain signal.
• Battery Management: Live tracking consumes battery on both your phone and your watch/computer. For long adventures, ensure both devices are fully charged.
• Data Connection: Your phone must have an active data plan and a signal for the location updates to reach your contacts.

Summary Checklist

1. Check your device manual: Ensure your specific model supports "LiveTrack" or similar features.
2. Pair your device: Make sure your watch or bike computer is synced to its respective app (Garmin Connect, Wahoo, etc.).
3. Configure contacts: Add your emergency contacts in the app before you head out.
4. Test it: Before a big trip, start a dummy activity near your home to verify that your contacts receive the link and can see your location on the map.

A straightforward option is Garmin LiveTrack if your watch or bike computer is a compatible Garmin. It shares your location with chosen contacts through the Garmin Connect app. You’ll generally need your phone with you and a cellular connection; Garmin says both the device and phone connection are required for standard LiveTrack. ¹

If you use Strava, Beacon can share a live-location link with safety contacts. It works with Apple Watch and Wear OS, and with Garmin devices that support LiveTrack autostart. Garmin Beacon use still relies on your phone for sending location updates. ²³

Quick guide

• Garmin watch or Edge computer: Try Garmin LiveTrack; check your model’s manual for compatibility. ¹
• Compatible Garmin + Strava subscription: Set up Strava Beacon with Garmin autostart. ²³
• Non-Garmin device: Tell me the watch/computer model and whether you carry a phone, and I can narrow down what will work.