Can't Authenticate Maps or Can't Unlock Maps Error on an Approach Device

If your Garmin Approach® golf device displays the message Can’t Unlock Maps or Can't Authenticate Maps, it has detected a map that cannot be validated for use with that device.

Causes

These errors are typically the result of one of the following:

• There is a problem with the data in the map file.

• Incorrect or missing unlock information for an installed map.

• There is a problem with another course region on the watch even though courses are coming up near your location.

Resolving the Message

• If the issue occurred as a result of updating the maps, ensure that Garmin Express™ is up to date and reinstall the maps following the instructions in Reinstalling Course Maps to an Approach Golf Product. Be sure to use the Safely Remove Hardware option on a Windows computer or the Eject Device option on a MAC after the update has completed. Even though the update appears to complete, the write-caching feature on some computers may have not have completely built or transferred the map to the device. Ejecting the device before disconnecting it can prevent this error.

  • Windows® computers: Press the Windows key +  E, Right-click the Garmin device and choose Eject (if the device is not listed it does not need to be ejected).

  • Mac® computers: Drag the device to the trash or select the Finder and choose the Eject symbol next to the Garmin device.

• If maps have not been installed or updated recently, update the maps using Garmin Express.

• If courses are coming up near your location, but you are still getting the error message, then it is not affecting the course map region you are in. For example, if you are in North America and are seeing courses near you, then the error is affecting the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and/or Pacific regions. Follow the instructions in Reinstalling Course Maps to an Approach Golf Product to reinstall those regions to remove the error message.

After resolving the issue the Garmin device should power on without displaying the error message.