Garmin has finally enabled the ability to make in-app purchases using Garmin Pay in its over 5-year-old Connect IQ App Store. This new capability rewards developers for their development work and provides Garmin customers with seamless access to premium content directly from their devices.
The Old Way: Third-Party Payments
Previously, Garmin’s Connect IQ Store did not support direct payments for apps, watch faces, or other content. Instead, developers had to rely on third-party platforms for transactions. For instance, users often encountered messages like,
“This app is preloaded with a STANDARD LICENSE serial with some limitations and if you like to upgrade to PRO LICENSE you can donate $3 USD to [PayPal link].”
These methods not only added friction for users but also raised trust concerns. Garmin has previously stated, “Payments related to these types of apps will be processed using a third-party payment service chosen by the app developer. Garmin does not review or manage these app payment services. Garmin does not receive Connect IQ app customer payments for these types of purchases and we cannot issue a refund. For more information, contact the app developer.”
The New Way: Seamless Payments with Garmin Pay
With the integration of Garmin Pay into the Connect IQ Store, purchasing premium apps and watch faces has become much simpler and more secure. This move aligns Garmin more closely with industry standards, such as Apple’s App Store, which has long offered a seamless and secure payment process. Apple, often criticized for its high fees of up to 30%, still sets the gold standard for app marketplaces, allowing users to easily pay for, upgrade, and cancel premium subscriptions.
Garmin’s adoption of a similar model aims to reduce transaction friction, making it easier for developers to monetize their products and for users to enjoy premium content, although it remains unclear what percentage of each sale will go to Garmin versus the app developer. This integration is expected to enhance the user experience and provide a reliable revenue stream for developers.
New Offerings in the Connect IQ Store
To celebrate this launch, Garmin has introduced a variety of premium watch faces and apps from renowned brands like Disney, GoPro, Porsche, and TaylorMade. These watch faces and apps are available now in the Connect IQ Store, with prices starting at $4.99, which does seem a bit hefty for a watch face.
