Garmin Connect Uploader

Automatically upload workout activities from Wahoo, MyWhoosh, and TrainerDay to Garmin Connect.

Version 1.0.7 | Windows Desktop Application (Nuitka onefile + folder build)

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What It Does

This app automatically syncs your workout files to Garmin Connect so your activities appear in your Garmin dashboard without manual uploads.

• Wahoo via Dropbox (.FIT files)
• MyWhoosh from its local cache (.FIT files)
• TrainerDay via Dropbox (.TCX / .FIT files)

Key Features:

• ✅ Automatic background syncing
• ✅ Starts with Windows (optional)
• ✅ Secure password encryption
• ✅ Two-Factor Authentication (MFA/2FA) support
• ✅ Manual credential testing with "Test Connection" button
• ✅ Detailed activity logging
• ✅ System tray support

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⚠️ Important Sync Behavior

The app handles the two platforms differently based on how they store files:

• Wahoo (Persistent): If you connect a Dropbox account that has a history of Wahoo rides, the app will detect those files and upload your history to Garmin Connect automatically.
• MyWhoosh (Volatile): MyWhoosh only stores the most recent activity in its local cache and overwrites it when you start a new session.
  • The Catch: Your PC doesn't always have to be on for the sync to work eventually, but if you record multiple MyWhoosh activities while the app is closed (or the PC is off), the uploader will only "see" and sync the very last one when it finally boots up.
  • Recommendation: Use the "Start with Windows" option so the app is always ready to catch MyWhoosh files before they are lost.

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🔒 Security & Privacy

I built this originally as a personal Python script to solve my own manual upload frustrations. Because this app handles Garmin credentials, transparency is a priority:

• Local Only: Your credentials are never sent to any server except Garmin’s official Garmin Connect endpoint.
• Windows Credential Manager: Your Garmin password is stored primarily in Windows Credential Manager via the keyring library. You can remove it at any time via the Windows Credential Manager control panel.
• Config-file fallback (for early boot only): A simple Base64-encoded copy of your password is kept in uploader_config.json as a fallback if Credential Manager is not available at boot. This is not meant as strong encryption, just enough to avoid plain text in the config file.
• No custom crypto: There is no XOR or “home‑grown” encryption in the current versions; standard libraries are used instead.
• No registry writes: Auto-start is handled only via a Startup-folder shortcut (GarminUploader.lnk), never the HKCU\...\Run registry key.
• Open Source: The full source code is available here on GitHub for anyone to audit or rebuild.

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Download & Install

⚡ Updating from a Previous Version?

Good news! The app automatically detects and updates Windows auto-start shortcuts when you first run a new version. Simply:

1. Download the new GarminUploader-v1.0.x.exe
2. Place it in the same folder as your old version
3. Run it once - if you had "Start with Windows" enabled, the app will detect the old shortcut and offer to update it
4. Your existing settings and logs are preserved automatically (no reconfiguration needed!)

For folder builds: If you keep your configuration and log files in a parent folder (for example C:\GarminUploader\) and extract each new GarminUploader-v1.0.x-folder.zip into a subfolder under that parent (for example C:\GarminUploader\GarminUploader-v1.0.6-folder\), the new version will automatically reuse uploader_config.json, garmin_uploader.log, and garmin_uploads.log from the parent folder. You do not need to copy these files into each new version folder.

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Step 1: Download

Two download options are available:

Option	File	Best for
Folder build (recommended)	GarminUploader-v1.0.7-folder.zip	Most users — less likely to trigger Windows Defender
Single-file build	GarminUploader-v1.0.7.exe	Advanced users who prefer a single executable

Option A: Folder build (recommended)

1. Download GarminUploader-v1.0.7-folder.zip from Releases
2. Extract the ZIP to a folder (e.g., C:\GarminUploader\ or your Desktop)
3. Run GarminUploader.exe from the extracted folder

Option B: Single-file build

1. Download GarminUploader-v1.0.7.exe from Releases
2. Place it anywhere you like (Desktop, Documents, etc.)
3. Double-click to run

Note: The single-file build is a packed Nuitka executable which may trigger Windows Defender ML heuristics. If Defender blocks or quarantines it, use the folder build instead. See Windows Defender / Antivirus Blocks the App for details.

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First Time Setup

Step 2: Enter Garmin Credentials

1. Enter your Garmin Connect email
2. Enter your Garmin Connect password
3. Click "Test Connection" to verify your credentials (optional but recommended)
4. Click "Save Settings" button

Two-Factor Authentication (MFA/2FA):

• If you have two-step verification enabled on your Garmin account, a dialog will pop up asking for your 6-digit verification code when you test the connection or first sync
• Enter the code from your authenticator app or the code Garmin texts/emails you
• Your authentication tokens are securely saved and automatically reused for approximately one year
• You'll only need to enter the MFA code once per year (or when you change your password)

Important: Your password is encrypted and stored in Windows Credential Manager. The app only validates credentials when they change, not every time you save settings.

Step 3: Configure Your Folders

You need at least one folder configured (Wahoo, MyWhoosh, or TrainerDay):

Option A: Wahoo (via Dropbox)

1. Click "📖 Help" button next to Wahoo Folder

2. Follow the instructions to:

   • Create free Dropbox account
   • Connect Wahoo ELEMNT to Dropbox
   • Install Dropbox on PC

3. Click "Browse" and select your Dropbox Wahoo folder:

   C:\Users\YourName\Dropbox\Apps\WahooFitness
   

Option B: MyWhoosh

1. Click "📖 Help" button next to MyWhoosh Folder

2. Follow the instructions to find your MyWhoosh cache folder

3. Click "Browse" and navigate to:

   C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\MyWhoosh\MyWhoosh\Cache\Cache_Data
   

Tip: Press Win + R, paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\MyWhoosh\MyWhoosh\Cache\Cache_Data, press Enter

Option C: TrainerDay (via Dropbox)

1. Click "📖 Help" button next to TrainerDay Folder

2. Follow the instructions to:

   • Open https://app.trainerday.com and log in
   • Click your user icon → Connections and connect TrainerDay to Dropbox / enable activity sync

3. After the first sync, Dropbox will contain a TrainerDay folder, for example:

   C:\Users\YourName\Dropbox\TrainerDay
   C:\Users\YourName\Dropbox\Apps\TrainerDay
   

4. Click "Browse" and select that TrainerDay folder.

Step 4: Set Check Interval (Optional)

Default is 5 minutes. Adjust if you want faster/slower checking.

Step 5: Save Settings

Click "Save Settings" - this will:

• ✅ Validate your Garmin credentials
• ✅ Encrypt your password
• ✅ Save all settings

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Daily Use

Manual Upload (One-Time)

1. Click "Sync Now" button
2. App will upload any new .FIT files immediately
3. Check status at bottom of window

Automatic Background Uploads

For set-and-forget automation:

1. ✅ Check "Start with Windows"
2. ✅ Check "Start Auto-Sync" checkbox
3. Click "Start Auto-Sync" button

What happens:

• App checks for new files every 5 minutes (or your interval)
• Shows status updates at bottom
• Can minimize to system tray (bottom-right corner)

To minimize to tray:

• Click the [X] close button
• If auto-sync is running, you'll be asked if you want to minimize to tray
• Click YES to keep it running in background
• Look for Garmin icon in system tray

To restore from tray:

• Click the Garmin icon in system tray
• Select "Show"

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Auto-Start on Windows Boot

Make it fully automatic:

1. ✅ Check "Start with Windows"
2. ✅ Ensure "Start Auto-Sync" is also checked (optional but recommended)
3. Click "Save Settings"
4. Restart your computer to test

What happens on boot:

• App starts automatically (minimized to tray)
• Begins auto-sync if you have credentials and folders configured
• Runs silently in background
• Check system tray for Garmin icon

To disable auto-start:

• Uncheck "Start with Windows"
• Click "Save Settings"

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Files Created

The app stores its configuration and log files alongside the app, usually in a shared parent folder so that new versions can reuse them:

1. uploader_config.json – Your settings (password is encrypted)
2. garmin_uploader.log – Main activity log with timestamps (auto-rotates at 10MB, keeps 3 backups)
3. garmin_uploads.log – Dedicated uploads-only log that records successful uploads with daily separators (easier to review your upload history).

Recommended layout for folder builds (for easy upgrades):

C:\\GarminUploader\\
    uploader_config.json
    garmin_uploader.log
    garmin_uploads.log
    GarminUploader-v1.0.7-folder\\
        GarminUploader.exe

If these files exist in the parent folder (for example C:\\GarminUploader\\), any new version you place in a subfolder under that parent will automatically reuse them. You do not need to copy the files into each new version folder.

View the logs:

• Click "ℹ️ About" button
• Click "📄 View Log" for the main log
• Click "📄 View Uploads Log" for the uploads-only log (read-only viewer)

What's logged (main log):

• App startup/shutdown
• Garmin login attempts (success/failure)
• File uploads (filename, timestamp)
• Errors and warnings with visual icons (✅ success, ❌ error, ⚠️ warning)
• Auto-sync start/stop
• Settings changes

Log retention:

• garmin_uploader.log automatically rotates when it reaches 10MB
• Keeps 3 backup files (~3 months of history)
• garmin_uploads.log is a single running file with date markers so you can see what was uploaded each day

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Troubleshooting

❌ "Invalid Credentials" Error

• Double-check email/password at garmin.com
• Click "Save Settings" again to re-test
• Check log file for detailed error

❌ "No Folders Configured" Error

• You must configure at least ONE folder (Wahoo, MyWhoosh, or TrainerDay)
• Click Browse to select folder
• Click Help button for setup instructions

❌ Auto-Start Not Working After Reboot

1. Press Win + R, type: shell:startup, press Enter
2. Look for GarminUploader.lnk shortcut
3. If missing: Re-enable "Start with Windows" in app
4. If present: Check log file for startup errors
5. Make sure EXE location hasn't moved

❌ Files Not Uploading

• Click "Sync Now" to test immediately
• Check if .FIT files exist in your folders
• View log file for upload attempts
• Verify Garmin credentials are valid
• Check folder paths are correct

⚠️ "File Already Uploaded (409)" in Log

• This is normal - means Garmin already has this activity
• File is moved to "uploaded" subfolder anyway
• No action needed

🔍 Can't Find System Tray Icon

• Look in bottom-right corner of Windows taskbar
• Click small ^ arrow to show hidden icons
• Garmin logo should appear there

🛡️ Windows Defender / Antivirus Blocks the App

Because this app is a small, niche tool that logs in to a website, stores credentials, and can auto-start with Windows, some antivirus programs (especially Windows Defender's ML-based heuristics) may incorrectly flag it as suspicious.

Why this happens:

• The app is not code-signed (requires an expensive certificate)
• It combines network activity + credential storage + auto-start — patterns that malware also uses
• Packed single-file executables trip more heuristics than normal installers

What you can do:

1. Try the folder build: Download GarminUploader-v1.0.5-folder.zip instead of the single .exe. Unpacked builds are less likely to trigger false positives.

2. Add an exception: If you trust the source, add the app folder to Windows Defender's exclusion list:

   • Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings
   • Scroll to Exclusions → Add or remove exclusions
   • Add the folder containing GarminUploader.exe

3. Report the false positive to Microsoft:

   • Go to: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/filesubmission
   • Select Home user → Incorrectly detected as malware
   • Upload the .exe file and submit

4. Build from source: If you prefer not to trust pre-built binaries:

   git clone https://github.com/Inc21/Wahoo-and-MyWhoos-to-Garmin-Conect-Auto-Uploader.git
   cd Wahoo-and-MyWhoos-to-Garmin-Conect-Auto-Uploader
   pip install -r requirements.txt
   python uploader_gui.py

Verify authenticity: Compare the SHA-256 hash of your download against CHECKSUMS.txt in the release.

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Uninstalling

1. Uncheck "Start with Windows" in app
2. Click "Save Settings"
3. Close the app
4. Delete GarminUploader.exe
5. Delete uploader_config.json and garmin_uploader.log (optional)

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Support

Developer: inc21
Buy me a coffee: ☕ Support

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License

MIT License