Troubleshooting for Viewing Charts on a Garmin Unit via ActiveCaptain App

Garmin Navionics+™ and Garmin Navionics Vision+™

NOTE: Map areas need to be downloaded on ActiveCaptain® app before they can be viewed on Garmin® unit.

If the chart download fails:

1. Make sure the ActiveCaptain app is up to date; check the Apple® App Store® or Google Play™ store for updates

2. Force close the ActiveCaptain app 

3. Restart the smart device (phone or tablet)

4. Make sure the smart device is connected to a Wi-Fi network; cellular data can be used but Wi-Fi is recommended

5. Make sure the smart device has ample storage available to cover the chart download

If the on-screen error Transfer Failed appears on either the ActiveCaptain app or the compatible Garmin device there are a few troubleshooting steps to consider:

1. Ensure the smart device stays within Wi-Fi range of the compatible Garmin chartplotter during the entire transfer

2. The ActiveCaptain app must be actively running and not running in the background of the smart device

3. Using a VPN on your smart device can cause ActiveCaptain not to work properly. When troubleshooting syncing issues with ActiveCaptain, check to ensure a VPN service isn't being used: 

   • iOS: Go to the iOS Settings > General > VPN

   • Android: Open your phone's Settings app > Network & internet > VPN

Further troubleshooting steps:

1. If a connection optimizer app is running on the smart device, temporarily disable the optimizer app

2. Power cycle the compatible Garmin chartplotter

3. Remove and reinsert the micro/SD card in the Garmin chartplotter once it is powered back ON

4. Reinitialize the transfer

If the transfer of charts has not failed but seems to be taking a long time, see Tips for Speeding up Map and Software Data Transfers Using ActiveCaptain.

Before downloading charts, check the download settings and uncheck map layers that are not needed. Leaving all map layers check marked will increase the download time. See Selecting Map Layers in ActiveCaptain for more information. 

For instructions on purchasing a chart in the ActiveCaptain app, see Purchasing Marine Charts in the ActiveCaptain App.