Alternative
A current alternative to gTxViewer
gTxViewer is a long-standing Connect IQ text viewer that depends on an Android companion. Garmin TXT Reader is a newer browser-to-watch path with chapter selection and resumable HTTPS transfers.
Updated August 18, 2026
Why people look for an alternative
gTxViewer still appears in search results because it is one of the few historical answers to “text viewer for Garmin.” The Connect IQ listing asks for an Android app named Text Viewer for Garmin. That path does not help iPhone users, and the listing has not been a living product for years.
The original listing remains at gTxViewer on Connect IQ for reference.
Differences
| gTxViewer | TXT Reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Companion | Android helper app | Website only |
| iPhone | No companion path | Browser works on any desktop or phone |
| Chapter pick | Limited | Review and select before sync |
| Transfer | Helper app | Watch HTTPS queue with resume |
| Maintenance | Last store update in 2019 | Active Stripe-backed service |
| Cost | Free listing | USD 1.99/month or 9.99/year |
TXT Reader is not a clone of gTxViewer’s UI. It is a library on the web plus a watch reader with pairing, entitlements, and a device-specific queue.
Moving over
Keep your original TXT files. Install TXT Reader from Connect IQ, sign in here, pair the watch, and upload the same files. The two apps do not share storage, so you can remove gTxViewer after you confirm the new library.
Follow the setup guide to pair and sync the first book.