Updating Automotive Maps and Software with Garmin Express

Before updating your device, you will need to download and install Garmin Express onto your computer. See How Do I Install Garmin Express?

See the links below for help finding the download file on your computer:

• Opening a Downloaded File on Windows
• Opening a Downloaded File on Mac

Connect your Garmin device to the computer with the appropriate data USB cable.

Desktop:

Laptop:

Most devices come with a compatible data cable. See Types of USB Cables Used to Connect Automotive Devices to the Computer to find out what cable you need.

Note: Place the unit screen side down when it's plugged into the computer to reduce stress on the device's USB port. 

Garmin Express will launch during the installation.

To Open Garmin Express Manually:

Windows: Use one of the following methods (examples from Windows 10 pictured).

Double-click the Express icon in the system tray

Search for Garmin Express in the Start menu

Double-click the desktop shortcut (if present)

Mac: Launch Garmin Express from the Applications folder in Finder (example pictured from macOS 10.13.6). The location of the  Finder icon may vary depending on the position of the Dock.

1. Click on your device. The green dot means Garmin Express recognizes the device

2. Click Add a Device and follow the on-screen steps to add a new device

3. A message may appear asking if you want to replace the first device if you're adding a second device of the same model.

Select Yes if this is a replacement device.

Select No if you have two devices of the same model. 

Garmin Express will display the updates. Your device may have a software update available, a map update available, or both. You will have an option to “Update Software,” “Update Maps,” “Install,” or “Install All.” Each path begins with this selection.

NOTE: Your device may require a software update before installing a new map. In this case, the software update will be installed before returning you to this screen where you will then have the option to “Install All” or “Update Maps.”

4. Click Update Software, Update Maps, Install, or Install All

Clicking View Details allows you to see a list of available updates and install them individually.

Garmin recommends clicking the option in the blue button to ensure all updates are installed.

5. Read the notes and click Continue

Garmin Express will display the current progress.

6. You may be prompted to restart your device if software updates are installed. Garmin Express will display instructions.

7. Click Install All or Update Maps if you have a map update available.

NOTE: See Space Issues when Installing Map Updates if the desired coverage area is not offered.

8. Read the Terms and Conditions and click Accept

9. Read the notes and click Continue

Garmin Express will display the Map Update progress.

An “Updates complete” message will appear when the map update finishes.

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Note: Disconnecting the device or shutting down the computer before the update completes will cause an error and may make the device unusable.

Use a Memory Card (Recommended) - In situations where a Garmin device does not have sufficient internal storage space to load the full coverage of a City Navigator NT map update, Garmin Express allows the maps to be installed to a microSD/SD card. 

When using the SD card installation option, critical files are loaded to the SD card so it must remain in the device after the update to ensure full functionality. For the largest size SD card a device can use, see the FAQ SD Memory Card Sizes for Automotive Devices.

Choose a Region - Garmin Express will automatically offer to install a smaller mapping coverage region to these devices when there is not enough internal storage to install full coverage and a microSD/SD card is not available.

NOTE: Garmin Express will not allow the installation of another region if only one region is available to install to the device's internal memory. The other regions must be installed to a microSD/SD card by following the steps in Reinstall or Change Map on an Automotive Device.