Xperia M5 and ANT+ support - how to connect?

[NielsA]

I have just bought a Xperia M5 and have problems connecting my Garmin heartrate monitor (ANT+) via the Endomondo app. Appreciate help or advice on how to do this.

I have installed different apps (Endomondo, ANT+ Demo and ANT+ Plugin Sampler) on the phone and all show similar error messages: “ANT Adapter Not Available” when trying to connect or test ANT+ connectivity. The heart rate monitor can connect to my Garmin Edge 810 independently, so there does not seem to be an issue on the heart rate monitor side.

Phone details:

                Model number: E5603

                Android version: 5.1

                Kernel version: 3.10.72+

Any idea of how you can tell if ANT+ is running on the phone?

Can other M5 users connect devices using ANT+ connectivity on the M5?

SONY Xperia customer services has confirmed that the published specifications for the Xperia M5 including ANT+ are correct.

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/phones/xperia-m5/specifications/

[Epicurean]

Good news: The Marshmallow update did add the missing ANT+ driver (at least on my German T-Mobile branded M5)! It bundles none of the userland software, so you will have to install the official ANT+ tools (ANT+ Radio service and plugins, perhaps also USB service) before most ANT+ aware applications can use it (the ANT tester will list and link the requirements).