Automotive Device Not Detected by Garmin BaseCamp™ on a Mac Computer

Your device should display an icon when connected to a computer. 

These icons vary, but some examples include:

Connect the USB cable directly to your Garmin device and not the mount (USB ports on mounts are for charging only)

• See: Where to plug the USB cable into on automotive devices with a powered mount

Note: The device doesn't have enough power to communicate with the computer if the display is blank or only shows a battery icon when connected to the computer. Charge the device while driving using the vehicle power cable to ensure it has enough power.

A device will display as a removable disk drive in Finder when it is properly connected to a Mac computer. 

To check whether OS X recognizes the connection:

1. Connect the Garmin device to the computer

2. Click the Finder icon on the dock

3. Click Go in the menu bar at the top of your computer screen

4. Click Computer

The Garmin device will display as a disk drive icon and will generally be labeled GARMIN. 

Try a different USB cable

• Try a Garmin branded cable if available
• If a new cable must be purchased, ensure the cable is a USB Data Cable and not a USB Charging Cable
• See Types of USB Cables Used to Connect Automotive Devices to the Computer

    Mini USB Cable             Micro USB Cable

Ensure that the USB port is working properly

• Try a different USB port on your computer and/or test the USB port with a different USB device
• Avoid connecting through a USB hub, USB extension cable, keyboard, or monitor
• On desktop computers, use the USB ports on the back of your computer

Laptop                         Desktop

Restart the computer and try again.

1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar
2. Click Restart...
3. Click Restart to confirm

See Garmin BaseCamp™ Not Detecting Devices on Mac Catalina 10.15 or Big Sur 11.0 if you are on Mac Catalina or Big Sur.

Other programs may be actively communicating with your device while it is plugged into a computer. Try closing out other Garmin applications that may be reading your device. 

• Example: If Garmin BaseCamp™ is not seeing your device, but Garmin Express is, close Garmin Express. 

See below if other programs are not interfering:

Ensure BaseCamp™ is up to date

1. Click Garmin BaseCamp™ in the menu bar
2. Click About Garmin BaseCamp™
3. Click Check for Updates to BaseCamp™
   Note: Check for Updates will not be an option if BaseCamp™ up to date.
4. Click Install Now and follow the prompts if an update available

Ensure that the Garmin is up to date

1. Open Garmin Express
2. Add or Select your Garmin
3. Click Install Now if any updates are available
4. Follow the prompts in Garmin Express to complete the update