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Purchasing and Downloading a Map for My Garmin Watch
Garmin offers a wide variety of mapping products. Choosing the correct map depends on the type of activity being done, and what features are needed for the map to support. While this article contains a great deal of information, it is best to be fully informed before making a purchase to avoid issues later.
IMPORTANT Garmin watches do not have an SD card reader. Only downloadable connect (DLC) maps are compatible with Garmin watches.
Purchasing a Map
Before purchasing a map, it is important to make sure the Garmin device is compatible, and it has the available memory space needed to install the map. Select an option below for information on how to check these items.
Select Compatible Devices on the map product page.
Locate the Garmin in the list of compatible devices.
If the device is not in the list of compatible devices, the device is not compatible with the map and a different map would need to be located that is compatible.
Checking Space Requirements of the Map
Select Requirements on the map product page.
Locate the space needed to download the map.
Make sure the device has the required space needed.
Checking Available Space of the Device
Before purchasing a downloadable map, make sure that the Garmin has the room needed to download the map.
Plug the Garmin in to a computer.
Locate the drive for the device: NOTE: The drive will be labeled Garmin, or the name of the device.
Mac:
Open Finder.
Select Devices.
Locate the drive for the Garmin.
Windows 10:
Open the Start menu.
Select This PC.
Locate the drive for the Garmin.
Highlight the drive.
Examine the drive's properties.
Mac: Press the space bar on the keyboard after highlighting the drive.
Windows 10: Right-click on the drive, and select Properties.
The free or available space should now be displayed.
The map product page can then be viewed. See the below section for steps on completing the map purchase.
NOTE: Garmin watches need the appropriate amount of space to download a map to the watch. Do not delete files from the watch as this could cause loss of the watch's current mapping, or the watch may become inoperable.
If looking for an area outside the U.S., the country may have to change at the very bottom left of the page.
Scroll down the page and select a category from the left panel (TOPO, City Navigator, etc.).
Only options for that category will display. Clicking on a specific product will pull up its product page.
Select Download from Format options.
Select Add To Cart.
Select Check Out.
Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the order. Verify the order and information in the order is correct at each step of the checkout process.
A confirmation screen will display when the order is complete, and an email confirmation will be received shortly thereafter. If a download was bought, see Related for steps on downloading the map.
Download a Map
Some items to keep in mind when downloading a map:
With Downloadable Content (DLC), the map cannot be updated. If you need updated map content when a new version is released, a new map must be purchased.
The map must be downloaded using Garmin Express™ software and a high-speed internet connection.
The map is available for download in the Garmin Express program until one year from the activation date of the map.
The map may only be used with one Garmin device and cannot be transferred between devices.
For more information on downloading mapping, see Related below.
