Custom Message or Text on Start Up Screen

Many Garmin® outdoor handhelds can display a customized welcome message on the startup splash screen. This can include a small amount of information, including contact information or a personalized message.

Customizing Start Up Text Using a Windows PC

This is the most common method and will work with the majority of outdoor handhelds.

1. Connect the device to computer with a USB data cable.

2. Open the Garmin drive (typically found in [My] Computer or File Explorer on a PC).

3. Open Internal Storage if listed, otherwise skip to the next step.

4. Open the Garmin folder.

5. Copy the file named startup.txt to the Desktop.

6. Open the copied file named startup.txt.

7. Follow the on-screen instructions and add the desired Start Up Message.

   • The maximum number of characters for this text is 256 

8. Replace the original startup.txt file in the Garmin folder of the device with the edited copy from the Desktop.

After saving the file, the customized message should display on the device when powering on.

Customizing Start Up Text Using a Mac

NOTE: Some newer handheld models, like the GPSMAP® 67, use MTP mode and will not appear as a drive on Mac computers. Accessing the drive on a Mac will require some additional steps which can be found here: Accessing the Garmin Folder of an Outdoor Handheld Device on a Mac Computer.

This is the most common method and will work with the majority of outdoor handhelds:

1. Connect the device to computer with a USB data cable.

2. Open the Garmin drive (typically found on the Desktop of the Mac).

3. Open the Garmin folder.

4. Copy the file named startup.txt to the Desktop.

5. Open the copied file named startup.txt.

6. Follow on-screen instructions and add the desired Start Up Message.

   • The maximum number of characters for this text is 256.

7. Replace the original startup.txt file in the Garmin folder of the device with the edited copy from the Desktop.

After saving the file, the customized message should display on the device when powering on.

Customizing Start Up Text on Older Outdoor Handhelds

Some older outdoor handhelds, such as the eTrex Vista®, are not recognized as a drive when connected to a computer and will not work with the steps listed above. For older devices, you may have one of the following options available.

Option 1

1. From the Main Menu, select or press Enter.

2. Select Owner Information.

3. Use the on-screen keypad to enter your welcome message and select OK when finished.

Option 2

1. From the Main Menu, select Setup.

2. Select Welcome Message.

3. Use the on-screen keypad to enter your welcome message and select OK when finished.