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Connecting the Garmin ActiveCaptain App with a Compatible Garmin Device

When connected to a compatible Garmin marine device, the ActiveCaptain® App offers features such as smart notifications, wireless updates, remote viewing and control of the chartplotter, and the ability to download Quickdraw Community data.¹

The ActiveCaptain App must be downloaded to a mobile smart device such as a phone or tablet. The marine device generates a Wi-Fi network to connect with the smart device in order to use ActiveCaptain features. This Wi-Fi network does not provide internet access.

A micro/SD card must be inserted into the marine device to create an ActiveCaptain card, which will pair with the ActiveCaptain App. The card must remain in the device to use ActiveCaptain features.

The card must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum size: 4 GB

  • Maximum size: 32 GB

  • Format: FAT32

It is recommended to use a new micro/SD card, but some devices will give the option to format the card before setting it as the ActiveCaptain card. This will erase any files on the card. See Formatting a Micro/SD Card for a Marine Device for formatting steps if needed.


ECHOMAP™ chartplotters and GPSMAP® chartplotters

NOTE: If the chartplotter was previously registered to a different owner, or is registered to an account that does not belong to the owner, the registration of its built-in or supplemental charts cannot be transferred. The new owner of the chartplotter would need to purchase a new supplemental chart.

See  ActiveCaptain App Compatibility to check device compatibility with ActiveCaptain.

The following are required to connect devices to ActiveCaptain:

  • A blank Class 10 micro/SD card (4 GB to 32 GB)

    • Do not use a card that has a preloaded chart installed

  • A smart device (such as a smartphone or tablet) with Android or iOS

 To connect a compatible chartplotter to ActiveCaptain:

1. Install the ActiveCaptain App

    1. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store through garmin.com

    2. Read and accept the End User License Agreement by checking the boxes, then select Continue

    3. Sign in to or create a Garmin account, then select Next

    4. Select Take the Tour for an overview of the app, or select Skip if preferred

2. Create an ActiveCaptain card

    1. Turn the chartplotter on

    2. Insert the micro/SD card into the chartplotter

      • On chartplotters with multiple micro/SD card slots, any slot can be used

    3. Select Set ActiveCaptain Card

    4. If using a new card, select Skip. Otherwise, select Format

      • Selecting Format will erase all existing data on the card

The ActiveCaptain card will now be created. The micro/SD card must be left in the device while using ActiveCaptain.


3. Connect ActiveCaptain to the chartplotter

    1. From the home screen of the chartplotter, select A/V, Gauges, Controls

    2. Select ActiveCaptain

    3. Select Wi-Fi to enable the network

      • If necessary, follow the onscreen prompts to configure the Wi-Fi network

    4. Bring the smart device within 24 m (80 ft.) of the chartplotter

    5. On the smart device, open ActiveCaptain

    6. Select Connect to Garmin Wi-Fi

    7. Select the chartplotter Wi-Fi network and enter the chartplotter's network password

      • If necessary, select More to view all detected networks

    8. Select Connect

    9. If prompted, select Connect again

    10. If the message "A new ActiveCaptain user was detected. Is this user the owner of the vessel?" appears on the chartplotter, select Yes if the registered account belongs to the boat owner


ActiveCaptain will connect with and register the chartplotter and all networked devices.


STRIKER™ fishfinders

The following STRIKER fishfinders are compatible with ActiveCaptain:

  • STRIKER™ Plus 7cv fishfinders

  • STRIKER™ Plus 7sv fishfinders

  • STRIKER™ Plus 9sv fishfinders

  • STRIKER™ Vivid 7cv fishfinders

  • STRIKER™ Vivid 7sv fishfinders

  • STRIKER™ Vivid 9sv fishfinders

To register compatible STRIKER fishfinders in ActiveCaptain:

1. Install the ActiveCaptain App

    1. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store through garmin.com

    2. Read and accept the End User License Agreement by checking the boxes, then select Continue

    3. Sign in to or create a Garmin account, then select Next

    4. Select Take the Tour for an overview of the app, or select Skip if preferred

2. Connect ActiveCaptain to the fishfinder

    1. From the home screen of the fishfinder, select ActiveCaptain

    2. Select Wi-Fi to enable the network

      • If necessary, follow the onscreen prompts to configure the Wi-Fi network

    3. Bring the smart device within 24 m (80 ft.) of the fishfinder

    4. On the smart device, open ActiveCaptain

    5. Select Connect to Garmin Wi-Fi

    6. Select the fishfinder Wi-Fi network and enter the fishfinder's password

      • If necessary, select More to view all detected networks

    7. Select Connect

    8. If prompted, select Connect again

    9. If the message "A new ActiveCaptain user was detected. Is this user the owner of the vessel?" appears on the fishfinder, select Yes if the registered account belongs to the boat owner


ActiveCaptain will connect with and register the fishfinder.


¹ Some devices may not be compatible with certain ActiveCaptain features. See ActiveCaptain App Compatibility for more information.

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