ANT+ Plugins Service

Enables ANT+ wireless communication for ANT+ enabled apps.

ANT+ Plugins Service - Enhance Your ANT+ Experience

"ANT+ Plugins Service" is an essential Android app that facilitates wireless communication between your smartphone and ANT+ devices, optimizing connectivity for heart rate monitors, fitness equipment, bike sensors, and more. Developed by Garmin Canada Inc., this service is pre-installed on many phones, allowing users to connect with various ANT+ enabled products effortlessly. It does not collect personal data and is designed to be lightweight, providing a seamless experience in tracking your fitness activities.

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App stats

By: ANT+

Users: 2,281,571,309

2.72M

Rating: 3.53

(351,047)

152 new ratings

Version: VARY (Last updated: 2023-06-07)

Creation date: 2013-05-10

Email: an*****@thisisant.com

URLs: Website ,Privacy policy

Ranking

# 59

Other rankings

#8 in plugin keyword 64 ▲ 1

Other platforms

Plugins (v7.5.0.1)

3.84

(297) 400,000

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App summary

Analyze keywords

ANT is a wireless protocol, similar to Bluetooth®, that is predominantly used for sport and fitness wireless connectivity. Pre-installed by the phone manufacturer, this service allows you to connect ANT+ devices to apps on your phone. ANT Wireless is a division of Garmin Canada Inc.

ANT enabled apps can utilize this service to connect:
• Heart Rate: Receive live heart rate data from heart rate straps or wearables produced by many popular manufacturers
• Fitness Equipment: Connect ANT+ enabled fitness equipment and bicycle trainers to popular training and workout apps
• Bike Speed and Cadence: Capture bike speed, distance, and/or cadence data
• Bike Power: Capture data from ANT+ cycling power meters such as Garmin Vector
• Stride-based Speed and Distance Monitor: Capture speed and distance data from running footpods

For a full list of compatible ANT+ apps and devices visit https://www.thisisant.com/directory/

FAQ:
How did this app get on my phone and is it spyware?
This service is standard software, included by the manufacturer of your phone. It is not illegally downloaded, and it is not spyware. It will not cause system malfunctions or pop-up ads to appear. It is not bloatware and typically uses a max of 20 MB of space. For example, on a 16GB phone, this service takes up 0.0013% of space. We do not pay phone manufacturers to have this service pre-installed.

How can I remove this service?
Since this service is standard software, you’re unable to delete it from your phone. Instead, you can disable this service by following the manufacturer’s instructions. The typical process is: settings>applications>application manager>appropriate app>force stop>disable

Disabling this service will not affect your phone’s software. If, in the future, you require the ability to connect to services and devices via ANT+, just enable the service again.

NOTE: Since this is a factory installed service, it may enable/re-download if you reset and/or update your phone. Don’t panic! Just follow the instructions to disable it again.

Does this service track me without my knowledge?
No. The ANT Radio Service and ANT+ Plugins Service applications provide a wireless connectivity service, similar to Bluetooth or WiFi, but with very low power. These services do not collect any personal data.

Is it difficult to develop an app with ANT+ capabilities and is there a fee?
Using the ANT+ plugins in your app to communicate with ANT+ devices is quick, easy, free and uses a simple API. Visit the ANT Android Developer page (http://www.thisisant.com/developer/ant/ant-in-android) for more information and to download the SDK.

How do I know if I own any ANT enabled products?
Visit https://www.thisisant.com/directory to search for ANT/ANT+ enabled products, devices and/or services.

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Google Play Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.

Pros

Works well for connecting fitness devices like heart rate monitors and smartwatches.
Background operation with low overhead.
Important for syncing with health and fitness apps.
Minimal storage usage (around 2.27 MB).

Cons

Considered bloatware by users who don't use fitness devices.
App permissions reset automatically, causing privacy concerns.
Cannot be uninstalled, leading to frustration among users who don't need it.
Some users report it taking up space without being useful to them.

Most mentioned

The app is pre-installed on devices and often perceived as unnecessary.
Users express concerns about privacy and data access.
Necessary for functioning with ANT+ enabled devices.

User reviews

This App is a plugin service. It uses sensors, location to record data from smart watches straight to your phone, TV or Tablet. It does not give information to 3rd parties to gather data. It is purely for you to use, operate and monitor your digital wellbeing. I use a smartwatch through the App to check my heart rate, blood pressure, Water levels and even records my sleeping patterns. Records your steps walked daily. Perfect for long distance runners and fitness fanatics.

DJBulford08, 2024-06-15

I just remembered one thing after reading a load of ratings I had transferred my old data from my old phone from the smart switch a few years ago and that is where the ant+ came from and I was unable to remove it after the smart switch I have the s20 ultra 5g now but I did the transfer from a galaxy s7. And now it is saying I can uninstall it that could be a plausible explanation for the random appearance when it's updating or if you connect to something and not even realised that it required it

Matt, 2023-08-22

I don't use smart watches ect. This should be an optional separate download for people who use those devices. Btw, Google will force disabled apps to turn on. They use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and data to triangelate your position at all times including sniffing in your personal information, texts, phone etc. I have multiple times turned off Google apps permissions only to come back and it's turned back on especially collecting your contact list. Anytime you create a new contact they turn back on.