⚠️ Instead of using this script, I recommend using the corresponding website instead: https://flowstatedev.github.io/no-ghosts/. It's a lot easier.
The TL;DR for tech nerds:
0) If you're on Windows, install python. If you're on Mac, install https://openmtp.ganeshrvel.com/
1) pip3 install fitdecode
2) Download garmin-disable-alerts.py
3) Copy activity profile from \Garmin\Sports folder on watch - e.g. RunningRun.fit
(mac users need openmtp to access files on the watch)
4) python3 garmin-disable-alerts.py RunningRun.fit
5) Copy updated profile to \Garmin\Newfiles on watch
The long version:
Setup:
A. [Windows only] Install Python 3
Go to https://www.python.org/downloads/, download the latest version and install it.
(Macs already have python 3 out of the box)
B. [Mac only] Get OpenMTP
Macs can't access files on modern Garmin devices out of the box - 3rd-party software like OpenMTP is required
Download and install https://openmtp.ganeshrvel.com/
C. Install fitdecode library
C1. Open the terminal / command prompt
Windows: press Win-R to open the Run dialog, type "cmd", and press ENTER
Mac: open Terminal.app
C2. Type the following commands:
Windows:
pip3 install fitdecode
Mac:
cd "~/Desktop"
python3 -m venv fitenv
source fitenv/bin/activate
pip3 install fitdecode
D. Get the script for disabling alerts
- Open garmin-disable-alerts.py
- Press CTRL-S (Windows) / CMD-S (Mac) and save it to your desktop
Usage:
E. Copy the activity profile which has ghost alerts from your watch to your computer
E1. Close Garmin Express completely
Windows: Close Garmin Express and close the Garmin icon in your system tray
Mac: Close Garmin Express (CMD-Q) and close the Garmin icon in your menu bar
E2. Plug your watch into your computer
E3. Access the files and folders of your watch on your computer
Windows: open File Explorer and navigate to your Garmin watch (it will appear as a drive named after your watch, like "Forerunner 955")
Mac: open OpenMTP
E4. Navigate to the \Garmin\Sports folder on your watch
This folder contains all the activity profiles on your watch, such as Run, Cycling, etc, as FIT files. e.g. The Run profile is named RunningRun.fit.
Copy the profile of interest to your desktop.
F. Run the script to disable alerts in your activity profile
F1. Open the terminal / command prompt
Windows: press Win-R to open the Run dialog, type "cmd", and press ENTER
Mac: open Terminal.app
F2. Navigate to your desktop - type the following command(s):
Windows:
cd "%USERPROFILE\Desktop"
Mac:
cd "$HOME/Desktop"
source fitenv/bin/activate
F3. Run the script - type the following command:
python3 garmin-disable-alerts.py PROFILE_NAME.fit
[replace PROFILE_NAME with the actual profile filename]
For example:
python3 garmin-disable-alerts.py RunningRun.fit
The script will look for enabled alerts and disable them. A backup file will be made (e.g RunningRun-backup.fit), and the original file will be updated.
G. Copy the updated profile file to \Garmin\Newfiles on your device
Note: you must copy the updated file to \Garmin\Newfiles, *not* \Garmin\Sports
H. Unplug your watch
I. Enjoy the unparalleled satisfaction of going for a run without an annoying "Drink!" alert every 10 minutes 🏃🏻♂️🚫💧