Automotive Device Not Detected by Garmin Express on a Mac

NOTE: The device doesn't have enough power to communicate with the computer if the display is blank or only shows a battery icon when connected to the computer. Charge the device while driving using the vehicle power cable to ensure it has enough power.

Most Devices Will Display a Connection Icon on the Screen Indicating that the Device is Communicating with the Computer.

These icons vary, Some examples include:

The Following Garmin Devices will not Display a Connection Icon:

• Arctic Cat G8 Display

• Camper 785 & Traffic caravan and motorhome sat nav with camera

• Camper 890 caravan and motorhome sat nav

• Camper 895 caravan and motorhome sat nav

• Camper 1090 caravan and motorhome sat nav

• Camper 1095 caravan and motorhome sat nav

• Garmin Catalyst™ Driving Performance Optimizer

• dēzl™ 780LMT-S GPS navigator

• dēzl™ LGV800 | dēzl™ OTR800 GPS navigators

• dēzl™ LGV810 | dēzl™ OTR810 GPS navigators

• dēzl™ LGV1000 | dēzl™ OTR1000 GPS navigators

• dēzl™ LGV1010 | dēzl™ OTR1010 GPS navigators

• dēzlCam™ 785 LMT-S GPS navigator with camera

• Garmin fleet™ 770 management

• Garmin fleet™ 780 GPS management

• Garmin fleet™ 790 GPS management

• Kawasaki RIDGE 8" Tread Display

• Overlander® GPS navigator

• RV 785 & Traffic RV navigator with camera

• RV 890 RV navigator

• RV 895 RV navigator

• RV 1090 RV navigator

• RV 1095 RV navigator

• Tread® - Overland Edition GPS navigator

• Tread® - SxS Edition GPS navigator

• Tread® XL - Baja Chase Edition GPS navigator

• Tread® XL - Baja Race Edition GPS navigator

• Tread® XL - Overland Edition GPS navigator

The Following Garmin Devices Require the Steps Below to be Seen by the Computer: 

• Camper 795 caravan and motorhome sat nav | RV 795 RV navigator

• CamperCam 795 Motorhome Sat Nav | RVcam 795 RV Navigator with Built-in Dash Cam

• Garmin Drive™ 53  | Garmin Drive™ 53 & Traffic | Garmin Drive™ 53 & Live Traffic GPS navigator

• Garmin DriveCam™  76 GPS navigator with camera

• Garmin DriveSmart™ 66MT-S | Garmin DriveSmart™ 76 | Garmin DriveSmart™ 86 GPS navigators

• dēzl™ LGV610 | dēzl™ OTR610 GPS navigators

• dēzl™ LGV620 | dēzl™ OTR620 GPS navigators

• dēzl™ LGV710 | dēzl™ OTR710 GPS navigators

• dēzl™ LGV720 | dēzl™ OTR720 GPS navigators

• dēzlCam™ LGV710 | dēzlCam™ OTR710 GPS navigators with camera

• dēzlCam™ LGV725 | dēzlCam™ OTR725 GPS navigators with camera

• dēzl™ LGV820 | dēzl™ OTR820 GPS navigators

• dēzl™ LGV1020 | dēzl™ OTR1020 GPS navigators

• Tread® | Tread® - Base Edition | Tread® 2 GPS navigators

• zūmo® XT2

1. Select Tap to Connect to Computer

• • If you do not select Tap to Connect to Computer this choice will eventually go away, you will then need to select Settings first.

2. Select Tap to Connect to Computer again

3. Select Continue

You should now see the connection icon.

Devices with Powered Mounts:

Connect the USB cable directly into your Garmin device and not into the powered mount. USB ports on mounts are for charging only.

• For more information see: Where to Connect the USB Computer Cable on Devices With a Powered Mount

A device will display as a removable disk drive in Finder when it is properly connected to a Mac computer. 

To Check Whether OS X Recognizes the Connection:

1. Connect the Garmin device to the computer.

2. Select the Finder icon on the dock.

3. Select Go in the menu bar at the top of your computer screen.

4. Select Computer.

The Garmin device will display as a disk drive icon and will generally be labeled GARMIN. 

See Garmin Express Not Detecting Devices on Newer Mac OS.

Ensure that Garmin Express is Up-to-Date

Current Version of Garmin Express for Mac: 7.25.0 as of March 25, 2025.

1. Open Garmin Express.

2. Select Garmin Express in the Apple menu bar.

3. Select About Garmin Express.

4. Select Check for Updates to Express.

5. Select Install Now if prompted.

The latest version of Garmin Express can also be downloaded and installed from the Garmin Express page.

Remove the Device and Add it Back Again if your Device has Already been Added to Garmin Express:

Remove the Device

 1. Open Garmin Express.

2. Hold Control (Ctrl) on your keyboard and click the device when using a one-button mouse on a Mac.

3. Select Remove from Express.

4. Select Remove.

The device will be removed from Garmin Express.

Re-add the Device

1. Open Garmin Express.

2. Connect a new device or ANT stick to the computer.

3. Select Add Device.

4. Select Add Device when the device is found.

5. Follow the on-screen prompts to add the device to Garmin Express