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Updating Marine Charts on a Garmin® Chartplotter
NOTE: Transfer of chartplotter registration is possible, but the built-in or purchased supplemental maps associated with that chartplotter do not follow new registration. The new owner will need to buy a preprogrammed update card or a full version of a chart via Garmin Express™, ActiveCaptain® App or Garmin.com.
There are several reasons why a chartplotter with built-in mapping or a preloaded chart card may require an update. Both types of chart updates are available for purchase through Garmin Express™ software or the ActiveCaptain® App. Garmin publishes chart updates for Garmin Navionics+™ charts daily and publishes updates for BlueChart® g3 charts and LakeVü ™ g3 charts typically once a year. Not all regions see an update with each publication.
Reasons for updating charts
Charts are outdated: For example, there is missing data on the map and the maps are no longer accurately reflecting the area
New Features: Such as, relief shading added, there is a sand bar after a storm, or buoys have been added or removed
Chart errors: Such as, missing or wrong information on updated charts
Reporting chart errors, missing data, or new features with position coordinates helps improve charts and aids and prompts these changes sooner rather than later. The Marine Cartography Error Report allows the user to notify Garmin's cartography team; provide as much detail as possible when reporting an error, coordinate positions, and screenshots of the chart in the area of the concern are valuable information in these reports.
Marine Charts Updates Available for Purchase
Garmin offers two types of marine charts for purchase, Garmin g3 charts and Garmin Navionics+™ mapping. Both types of marine charts provide a standard option and an option with extra features. To check compatibility for purchasing and updating charts, see Supplemental Garmin Marine Chart Feature Compatibility
Chartplotters with built-in Garmin Navionics+™ chart subscriptions come pre-loaded but must be activated to access any updates to the charting.
Chartplotters with built-in g3 charts will have chart updates available to purchase approximately 1-2 times a year, see Marine Chart/Map Update Programs.
Charts can be updated using the ActiveCaptain® app, the Garmin Express™ desktop application, or a preprogrammed micro/SD card.
Note: Prior to downloading maps, check the maximum micro/SD card size the chartplotter is compatible with running New exFAT Support on Garmin Marine Chartplotters
ActiveCaptain®1
NOTE: In order to display features such as Raster Charts, Relief Shading, Satellite Imagery, etc., charts must be downloaded via the ActiveCaptain® App with the appropriate layers enabled. See Selecting Map Layers in ActiveCaptain®.
ActiveCaptain® is an app that can be downloaded to a smart device such as a smartphone or tablet to wirelessly update the charts. See ActiveCaptain® App Compatibility. Downloading charts through ActiveCaptain® helps keep the areas of interest up to date on the chartplotter.
Before updating charts in ActiveCaptain®:
If the ActiveCaptain® App is not yet downloaded to a smart device, download it from the App Store or Google Play Store
See Getting Started with ActiveCaptain® for instructions
Create or log in to an ActiveCaptain® account and accept permissions for full functionality
If the chartplotter or charts have not been registered, register them on ActiveCaptain®
See for instructions Registering Garmin Marine Devices and Charts
Garmin Navionics+™ or Garmin Navionics Vision+™
With an Active Subscription prior downloaded chart content in the ActiveCaptain® app will receive automatic updates, as long as the subscription is active, whenever the ActiveCaptain® app is open and connected to Wi-Fi, or Cellular data when enabled in app. When the smart device is connected to the Garmin network of the chartplotter and the ActiveCaptain® app is open the updated charts will automatically sync across to be stored and ran from the ActiveCaptain® card inside of the chartplotter.
Downloading/Updating Charts with an Active Subscription
Prepare for Chart Download
Either, enable cellular data for chart downloads
Settings > Data Usage > under Chart Download select Wi-Fi or Cellular
Or, disconnect the smart device from the chartplotter's Wi-Fi network and connect to another Wi-Fi network for downloads
- Download / Transfer Charts
BlueChart™ g3, BlueChart™ g3 Vision, LakeVü™ g3, LakeVü™ g3 Ultra Charting
The Garmin® g3 cartography is a non-subscription update that provides exceptional coverage and detail for saltwater and freshwater pursuits for chartplotters that are not compatible with the new Garmin Navionics+™ and Garmin Navionics Vision+™ cartography. Chart updates are released 1-2 times for year and can be purchased for less than the original cost of the chart.
Downloading/Updating Non-Subscription Charts
Select an Update Option
Within the ActiveCaptain® app on the smart device select Chart > ≡ > My Charts
If the chart is eligible for a free update under the Garmin® Marine New Chart Guarantee select Update Now and redeem the update
If the chart is not eligible for a free update, select Update Now > Buy Now and purchase the update
Download the Chart Update
Within the ActiveCaptain® app on the smart device select Chart > ≡ > Download Charts > align the area of interest inside of the box and select Download
When the download process is complete, reconnect the smart device to the chartplotter's Wi-Fi network
With the ActiveCaptain® App open the app will automatically sync the chart update to the chartplotter when connected to its Wi-Fi network.
Garmin Express™
The Garmin Express™ desktop application can also be used to update marine charts. The chart update process requires a high-speed internet connection. See How Do I Install Garmin Express™? for system requirements and steps to install Garmin Express™ onto a compatible Windows PC or Mac computer.
See Garmin Navionics+™ and Garmin Navionics Vision+™ Comparison for features only available to download with ActiveCaptain® with subscription mapping.
NOTE: It is recommended to use a blank micro/SD card for chart updates. Garmin Express™ will format the card before downloading the chart, which will erase all its contents.
To install chart updates in Garmin Express™:
Insert the micro/SD card into the computer or a connected card reader
Open Garmin Express™
Sign in to the Garmin account to which the device is registered
If the chartplotter has not yet been registered, see Registering a Garmin Marine Device for steps to register the device
- Select the Vessel
Garmin Express™ should automatically check for available updates. If it does not, select the
refresh icon to check for updatesIf there are updates available, Select Chart Updates
If the chart is eligible for a free update under the New Chart Guarantee, select Download
If the chart is not eligible for a free update, select the price button next to the chart to purchase an update. Garmin Express™ will provide a discounted price on the chart update
If prompted, sign in to your Garmin account again
Read Important Notes Before We Begin, then select Continue
Read the Terms and Conditions, then select Accept
Select the drive letter of the micro/SD card, then select Continue
Verify that the micro/SD card meets the capacity requirements listed on this page
The update will start at this point and may take a long time to install to the micro/SD card
Garmin Express™ will give an Updates complete! message when the process has completed. At this point, safely remove the micro/SD card from the computer
Do not remove the micro/SD card before Garmin Express™ gives this message. If the micro/SD card is removed prematurely, Garmin Express™ will stop the update and give an error message. Refer to the Support Center for Garmin Express™ troubleshooting steps
Insert the chart card into the chartplotter
If prompted for built-in chart updates, follow the on-screen instructions to install the chart update to the chartplotter's internal memory²
Preprogrammed micro/SD card
If the chart cannot be updated using the ActiveCaptain® or Garmin Express™, a preloaded update chart can be purchased. To purchase an update card, use this link or contact Product Support with the serial number of the chartplotter(s) to be updated.
After receiving the update card, insert the card into the chartplotter to use the updated chart²
1 ActiveCaptain® updates are only available on certain chartplotters compatible with Wi-Fi. See ActiveCaptain® App Compatibility for more information.
² Some chartplotters may have not enough internal memory to copy the chart update from the micro/SD card. If this is the case, you must keep the micro/SD card inside the chartplotter in order to use the chart.