Downloading a Purchased Chart with Garmin Express™ for a Marine Handheld or a Marine Watch

After purchasing a Garmin® downloadable map, the map will need to be installed on the watch or handheld device. Installation may take several hours to complete depending on the map purchased and the speed of the internet connection.

NOTES: • Charts purchased for and registered to a handheld device or watch will work for that one device only

Requirements and Tips for Successful Download

• Compatible Garmin handheld or watch

  • Compatibility can be confirmed on the map purchase page under Compatible Devices

• Compatible downloadable map
  • Supplemental Garmin Marine Chart Feature Compatibility

• USB data-transfer cable

• A microSD/SD card may be required if the map will not fit on the internal storage of the device (not applicable for marine watches)

  • Storage space requirements can be found on the map purchase page under Requirements

  • Handhelds have specific card size limitations - Outdoor SD Memory Card Limitations

• Windows or Mac computer with Garmin Express installed

  • For instructions, see - How Do I Install Garmin Express?

• High-speed internet connection  

  • Recommended: DSL, cable, or other high speed internet connections

  • Not Supported: Mobile broadband (such as MiFi, AirCard, or cell phone tethering), satellite, fixed wireless, or dial-up internet connections

Tips for a Successful Download

• Ensure the computer is always on during the download by disabling screen savers or sleep settings

• Disable programs like antivirus, proxy settings, or firewalls

• Some map files may need to be placed temporarily on the hard drive before final transfer to the device or MicroSD card. Make sure the computer has plenty of hard drive space

• Use an open, home network (non-business network), if possible. Many businesses have firewalls and software that will block large files, or secure connections

• Ensure a strong connection to the internet, a weak signal can corrupt the downloaded file

Installing a Map with Garmin Express™

To see the following process in action, watch this video - Purchasing and Installing Outdoor Maps

1. Connect the handheld or watch to the computer

2. Launch Garmin Express 

   • Windows: Either double-click the Garmin Express icon in the system tray (next to the time), double-click the shortcut on the desktop, or search for Garmin Express in the Start menu

   • Mac: Garmin Express can be found in the Applications folder in Finder

3. Select the device and click Continue

   • NOTE: If the device was not already added to Garmin Express, select Add Device and follow the onscreen prompts

4. Select Tools & Content

5. Select Purchased

   • NOTE: If the map is not listed, click Sign In and log in to the Garmin account the map was purchased under. If the only option is to Sign Out and the map is still not listed, see Related

   • Try selecting the Refresh button, seen below if the map is not visible

   • 

6. Click on the Cloud Download button

7. Accept the License Agreement

8. Read the important notes and click Continue

9. Click Continue next to the Memory Card or Device

   • NOTE: If the size of the map exceeds the internal storage of the device, a microSD/SD card will be required

Once the download starts, Garmin Express will display the current progress. An installation complete message will be displayed when the download is finished, and the device can be safely disconnected from the computer.