Garmin Connect IQ store review times spike to 13 days amid AI flood
A sudden surge of likely AI-generated app submissions has created a massive backlog at Garmin’s Connect IQ store, delaying approvals for legitimate developers.
Key points
- Review times for Connect IQ submissions have increased from one to two days to as long as 13 days.
- Garmin attributes the delay to an enormous influx of new app and watch face submissions over the last month.
- Developers and users suspect the surge consists of low-quality, AI-generated products designed for quick profit.
Garmin is experiencing significant delays in reviewing submissions for its Connect IQ store due to a sudden and large volume of new uploads. According to a statement by Garmin representative Brandon on the company’s forums, the backlog is not caused by a technical bug but by an enormous influx of app submissions in the last month that shows no sign of slowing down.
The approval process, which typically takes one to two days, is now taking up to 13 days for some developers. Brandon noted that this level of delay is unprecedented, stating that it was never a problem in the past except during long holiday weekends like Christmas. The representative confirmed that the team is working through approvals as quickly as possible despite the pressure.
Source of the Surge
The timing and volume of the submissions point strongly to artificial intelligence as the primary driver. TechRadar reports that the sudden wave of submissions is likely composed of AI-generated or "vibe-coded" products. These low-effort items are designed to flood the digital marketplace and generate quick revenue, rather than providing high-quality utility or design for users.
This phenomenon represents a sharp change from previous years. The Connect IQ store has historically maintained a steady review cycle. The current glut is a new phenomenon that has overwhelmed the existing moderation capacity, creating a bottleneck that affects all pending submissions regardless of their quality or origin.
Impact on Developers and Users
The delays are causing frustration among developers who pay an annual fee of $100 to sell apps on the platform. Users on Garmin’s forums have expressed concern that the store is becoming flooded with repetitive and low-effort submissions. One user noted that these AI-generated watch faces consume resources and crowd out well-crafted apps, degrading user trust and hurt discoverability for legitimate creators.
Another user suggested that Garmin should limit the upload frequency for each developer to prevent poorly made AI submissions from consuming the review queue. The influx affects the entire ecosystem, making it harder for users to find high-quality, human-led complications and apps.
What should you do?
Legitimate developers should monitor their submission status closely and expect longer wait times than usual. Users should exercise caution when browsing the store for new watch faces or apps, as the quality of recent submissions may vary significantly. Keep an eye on official Garmin announcements for updates on how the company plans to manage the backlog or implement new filtering measures.
What to do and how to stay safe: Garmin
- Check the status of your Connect IQ submissions regularly, as review times may extend up to 13 days.
- Verify the quality and reviews of new apps or watch faces before downloading them to your device.
- Provide feedback to Garmin through official channels if you encounter low-quality or repetitive submissions.
- Monitor developer forums for updates on review times and any new policies regarding upload frequency.
Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Why are Connect IQ review times so long right now?
Garmin states there is an enormous influx of app submissions in the last month, likely driven by AI-generated content, causing a significant backlog.
How long does it take to get a submission reviewed now?
While the process typically takes one to two days, some developers report that reviews are now taking up to 13 days.
Is this a technical bug with the store?
No, a Garmin representative confirmed that the delays are not due to a bug but are caused by the high volume of incoming submissions.
