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Backing up, Viewing, and Transferring Data Using Garmin BaseCamp™

User data such as waypoints, routes, tracks, activities, and geocaches can be irreplaceable and highly valued. Devices that record activities can be used with Garmin BaseCamp™ software however, there are other apps and websites they work best with. The GPSMAP® 66 & 67, GPSMAP® 86, and Montana® 700 outdoor handhelds are best used with the Garmin Explore™ app and website. Watches, like the fēnix® and MARQ® Collection, are best used with the fitness-based Garmin Connect™ app and/or website.

With the Garmin BaseCamp™ program you can back up your data, view the backed up data or data saved on your device, as well as transfer data to a device.

The videos below show multiple ways to complete the process, and the written instructions can be found underneath them.

                                       

Scenarios When Data Backup is Recommended

  • Before updating the Garmin device software
  • Before sending a Garmin device in for exchange
  • Before performing a full device reset or restore
  • To maintain an up-to-date database backup
  • To quickly edit user data and send it back to the Garmin device

To back up, view, and transfer data, first download and install the Garmin BaseCamp™ program.


Backing Up User Data

Backing up data on a regular basis can decrease the chances of data loss. This can be done in Garmin BaseCamp™ by selecting Map Chart With Green Up Arrow (Windows) or Down Arrow (Mac) from the toolbar, or you can use one of the methods below. You can also export backed up data from BaseCamp™ to the computer to use with third-party software, share with others, or save to an external drive as an additional backup (see Exporting User Data from BaseCamp™).

NOTE: There can only be one waypoint, track, or route with the same name in BaseCamp™. When necessary, the BaseCamp™ program will automatically add a number to the end of file names to avoid duplicates in My Collection, even when the files are located in different lists or list folders in My Collection. For example, many Garmin outdoor handhelds will assign "001" as the default name of the first saved waypoint, "002" for the second waypoint, and so on. If you backed up three different handhelds in BaseCamp™ and each had a "001" waypoint saved on them, the waypoints from the second and third handhelds will automatically be renamed to "0011" and "0012" in BaseCamp™.


Device Menu

  1. Connect the device to the computer using the provided USB cable.
    • Power on the device, if needed.
  2. Open Garmin BaseCamp™.
    • Wait for the device to be listed on the left.
      Examples:
       
  3. Select Device (Windows) or Transfer (Mac) in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  4. Select Receive from Device.
  5. Select the device.
    • On Mac you will also be prompted to select checkboxes for the items to transfer.
  6. Select OK (Windows) or Receive (Mac).

This backs up user data from the device and saves it to My Collection.


Drag and Drop

  1. Connect the device to the computer using the provided USB cable.
    • Power on the device, if needed.
  2. Open Garmin BaseCamp™.
    • Wait for the device to be listed on the left. Examples:
       
  3. Select the device on the left.
  4. The files saved in the device will now be shown in the lower-left panel. Click and drag the desired file(s) onto a list in My Collection.

This backs up user data from the device and saves it to My Collection.2


Right-Click

  1. Connect the device to the computer using the provided USB cable.
    • Power on the device, if needed.
  2. Open Garmin BaseCamp™.
    • Wait for the device to be listed on the left. Examples:
       
  3. Right-click the Internal Storage folder below the device.
    • Mac users: Right-click (or press and hold the Control key while you click) the device name.
  4. Select Send To... (Windows) or Receive From Device... (Mac).
    • Windows: you will be prompted to select the location where you want to store the data (e.g. My Collection).
    • Mac: you will be prompted to select checkboxes for the items to transfer into My Collection.
  5. Select OK (Windows) or Receive (Mac).

This backs up user data from the device and saves it to My Collection. When right-clicking My Collection, there is a New List option. Choosing this creates a list within the My Collection folder, helping to organize data within BaseCamp™ by separating it from all other data. For more information, see - Create, Edit, and Delete Lists and List Folders in BaseCamp™  


Viewing Data

Garmin BaseCamp™ software can be used to view the data saved in your compatible Garmin device on a larger scale. Data that you have backed up from your device will be saved in My Collection.


Viewing Data Saved in a Device

  1. Connect the device to the computer using the provided USB cable.
    • Power on the device, if needed.
  2. Open Garmin BaseCamp™ program.
    • Wait for the device to be listed on the left.
      Examples:
       
  3. Left-click the Internal Storage folder below the device.
    • Mac users: Left-click the device name.

The data saved in the device will now be shown in the lower-left panel. Examples of how this looks:

   


Viewing Data Saved in Garmin BaseCamp™ Software

  1. Open Garmin BaseCamp™ program.
  2. From the upper left panel, left-click the desired folder (Folder Icon Mac ) or list ().
    • NOTE: Backed up data that has not been organized into another folder or list should be found in a Data Received from... folder ( ).

The backed up data will now be shown in the lower-left panel. Examples of how this looks:

   


Selecting and Transferring Data

If you have created or edited data within Garmin BaseCamp™, you can then send it to a Garmin device. After selecting the data you wish to send, you can select Map Chart With Green Down Arrow (Windows) or Up Arrow (Mac) from the toolbar, or you can use one of the methods below.


Device Menu

  1. Connect the device to the computer using the provided USB cable.
    • Power on the device, if needed.
  2. Open Garmin BaseCamp™ program.
    • Wait for the device to be listed on the left.
      Examples:
       
  3. Select the folder ( ) or list () that contains the data you wish to transfer.
    • NOTE: to transfer all saved data to the device, select My Collection.
  4. Select Device (Windows) or Transfer (Mac) in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  5. Select Send ['Name'] to Device.
  6. Select the device.
    • On Mac you will also be prompted to select checkboxes for the items to transfer.
  7. Select OK (Windows) or Send (Mac).

The data will now be transferred to the device.


Drag and Drop

  1. Connect the device to the computer using the provided USB cable.
    • Power on the device, if needed.
  2. Open Garmin BaseCamp™.
    • Wait for the device to be listed on the left.
      Examples:
       
  3. Select the folder ( ) or list () that contains the data you wish to transfer.
  4. The files contained in the folder or list will now be shown in the lower-left panel. Click and drag the desired file(s) onto the device's internal storage.

The data will now be transferred to the device.


Right-Click

  1. Connect the device to the computer using the provided USB cable.
    • Power on the device, if needed.
  2. Open Garmin BaseCamp™ program.
    • Wait for the device to be listed on the left.
      Examples:
       
  3. Right-click the folder ( ) or list () that contains the data you wish to transfer.
    • Mac users: Right-click or press and hold the Control key while you click.
  4. Select Send To... (Windows) or Send To Your Device... (Mac).
  5. Select the device.
    • On Mac you will also be prompted to select checkboxes for the items to transfer.
  6. Select OK (Windows) or Send (Mac).

The data will now be transferred to the device.


IMPORTANT: After performing a backup of Garmin BaseCamp™, it is recommended to verify that backup is valid.

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