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Importing GPX Files in the Garmin Explore App

With the release of the 2.9 version of the Garmin Explore™ app for iOS and Android, users are able to import GPX files from their smartphone which can be synced to a paired Garmin device. There are three locations in the Garmin Explore app where the Import GPX File feature can be accessed.

NOTES: 

  • Course Line Icon Courses that are imported into the Garmin Explore app will be converted to Footprints Icon Tracks. 

  • Push Pins Icon Routes that are imported into the Garmin Explore app will be converted to Course Line Icon Courses. 

Importing a GPX File From the Map

  1. Open the Garmin Explore app and select Unfolded Map Symbol Map.

  2. Tap Plus Symbol.

  3. Select Import .GPX.

  4. Select a file source.

  5. Select the GPX file.

  6. Select Done or OK.

Importing a GPX File From an Email Attachment, SMS Message, or Other Location on the Phone

NOTE: With the release of iOS 13, Apple has changed the way the "share" function works with downloaded files and "Copy to Explore" may not show for all users (see About iOS 13 Updates). If you do not see "Copy to Explore" when following these steps, contact Apple Support or use one of the other methods to import your GPX file.

  1. Select the GPX file on your phone to open it.

  2. Follow the prompts to open the file with the Garmin Explore app:

    • iOS: select Share Icon iOS, then select Copy to Explore.

    • Android: Select to open with Explore.

  3. Select Done.

When the GPX file is imported, a new Collection is created with the name of the GPX file containing all of its data.

If the GPX file Collection is deleted, all the data it contains will be moved to Unlisted Data in Library.

Importing Third-Party GPX Files With the Garmin Explore App

Some GPX files from third-party sources may fail to upload due to issues with how the files were created and saved. BaseCamp™ software can be used to make third-party GPX files compatible with the Garmin Explore app using the following steps.

NOTE: Geocaches can be imported into Garmin Explore, but will be converted to waypoints. This removes any detailed clues that would further aid in finding the cache. To keep these files in the geocache format we recommend using Garmin Express or BaseCamp when sending geocaches to a device.

1. Import the Third-Party GPX File Into BaseCamp

  1. Open BaseCamp.

  2. Select File from the top toolbar.

  3. Select Import.

  4. Locate and select the GPX file from the Import File Window.

  5. Select Open (Windows) or Import (Mac).

For more information, see - Importing GPX Files into BaseCamp and Transferring the Data to a Garmin Outdoor Handheld.

2. Export the GPX File From BaseCamp

  1. Select the GPX file List in My Collection.

  2. Select File from the top toolbar.

  3. Select Export.

  4. Select Export (File Name).

  5. Choose a file name and location.

  6. Select Save.

For more information, see - Exporting User Data from BaseCamp.

3. Import the GPX File Into the Garmin Explore Website

For steps, see -  Importing Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks into the Garmin Explore Website.

4. Sync the Account in the Garmin Explore App

  1. Open the Garmin Explore app.

  2. Select the profile icon in the top left.

  3. Select Explore Sync Icon below the user's name and email address.

    • The sync icon must be orange to manually perform a sync. If the icon is gray, this usually indicates a recent or upcoming sync.

Maximum File Size for GPX Files in the Garmin Explore App

There is no overall maximum file size for GPX files, however, the following conditions apply when importing into the Garmin Explore app.

  • No limit on the number of lines (tracks, routes, and courses) within a GPX file

  • Tracks created from an import are condensed to 20,000 points per line1

  • Courses created from an import are condensed to 200 points per line

  • No limit on the number of Waypoints within a GPX file

When importing a GPX file with course, route, or track points, the Garmin Explore app will create either a track file or a course file. If the imported GPX file is outside of the data limits you will see a message for a Partial Import. 

Partial Import Message

1 Tracks with over 10,000 points may appear to have less detail when viewed at https://explore.garmin.com/map. This is due to web browser limitations and how they process and display data compared to the Garmin Explore app . For more details on track and waypoint limits on the Garmin Explore website, see - Importing Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks Into the Garmin Explore Website.

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