Accessing the Garmin Folder of a Garmin Device on a Mac Computer

NOTE: Devices with on-board music or that use MTP Protocol do not automatically show as a drive when connected to a Mac. It is recommended to use a Windows computer for these devices. To see if your device uses MTP, refer to Fitness and Outdoor Devices with Media Transfer Protocol.

Accessing Folders

NOTE: Some devices may require you to open the Garmin Express™ program and add or sync the device before it will show up as a drive on your computer. For instructions on installing Garmin Express see: How Do I Install Garmin Express?

1. Connect your Garmin device to the computer using the USB data/charging cable.

2. Open Finder.

3. Select Go in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

4. Select Computer.

5. Open the Garmin drive.

Compressing the Garmin Folder

For steps to send the Garmin folder to Product Support, see: Sending a Garmin Folder From a Device to Product Support. If you need to manually compress the Garmin folder you can follow the steps below.

1. Connect your Garmin device to the computer using the USB data/charging cable.

2. Open Finder.

3. Select Go in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

4. Select Computer.

5. Open the Garmin drive.
   

6. Hold the Control key and select the GARMIN folder.

7. Select Copy GARMIN.

8. From the desktop screen, hold the Control key and click somewhere on the desktop.

9. Select Paste Item. 

10. After you have pasted the folder to your desktop, safely eject your device from the computer

11. Mapping Devices Only! Delete all .img (disc image) files and the Map folder from the copied Garmin folder on the desktop.

    1. Double-click the new Garmin folder on the Desktop.

    2. Drag all Disk Image Files (.img files) to the Trash.

    3. Drag the Map, BirdsEye, Custom Maps, GGZ, JPEG/JPG, or Voice folders to the Trash if present.

    4. Close the Garmin folder window.

12. Fitness Feature Devices Only! Delete all .db (data base) files found in the SQL > Internal folder.

    1. Double-click the new Garmin folder on the Desktop.

    2. Double-click the SQL folder.

    3. Double-click the Internal folder (If there is no internal folder skip to step 13).

    4. Drag all .db files to Trash if present.

    5. Close the Garmin folder window.

13. Hold the Control key and select the new GARMIN folder on the desktop.

14. Select Compress GARMIN.