How To Update My Garmin Equipment

How To Update My Garmin Equipment

Garmin® offers a few convenient options to download software updates:

  • ActiveCaptain® app a mobile app that uses a tablet or smartphone to download and update through the mobile device

  • Garmin Express™ program an application loaded to a desktop computer that allows the user to update device software through a micro/SD card. The card is inserted into the chartplotter to perform the software update

  • Garmin website a direct link to software update files for Garmin marine equipment. An alternative option is to purchase a preloaded software update card from garmin.com


Active Captain (Apple)

ActiveCaptain is a mobile app that syncs information between a mobile device (such as a smartphone or tablet) and a compatible Garmin marine device, such as a chartplotter or fishfinder. The app can download software updates through the mobile device and wirelessly send them to the marine device.

NOTE: Software updates may require the ActiveCaptain app to download large files. Regular data limits or charges from your mobile carrier or internet service provider (ISP) may apply. Contact your carrier or ISP for more information about data limits or charges.
Active Captain (Android)

ActiveCaptain is a mobile app that syncs information between a mobile device (such as a smartphone or tablet) and a compatible Garmin marine device, such as a chartplotter or fishfinder. The app can download software updates through the mobile device and wirelessly send them to the marine device.

NOTE: Software updates may require the ActiveCaptain app to download large files. Regular data limits or charges from your mobile carrier or internet service provider (ISP) may apply. Contact your carrier or ISP for more information about data limits or charges.
Garmin Express Software
Garmin Express offers a software update for marine chartplotters. The software download through Garmin Express is a simple process. The software button will always display in the upper right corner of the vessel but does not indicate that the software is out of date on the chartplotter. Garmin Express software installs on a micro/SD card; units such as the Striker Plus 7 and 9 devices will need to use the ActiveCaptain app to update software. After the software installs on the micro/SD card, it is taken to the boat and inserted into the chartplotter. The software will update both the chartplotter and any Garmin equipment connected via Marine Networked or NMEA 2000. Garmin Express is a downloadable program with versions of the program for both Windows and MAC operating systems.   
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Download Requirements

  1. Use a minimum of an 8GB micro/SD card, but not larger than 1TB*

  2. Do not use a preloaded Map card as the process will format the card erasing all data before beginning the download

  3. Garmin Express installs on the computer

Running the software update on Garmin Express

  1. Open Garmin Express or install and register the chartplotter see  Registering Garmin Marine Devices and Charts for directions on installing and registering your chartplotter

  2. Click the Vessel in Garmin Express

  3. Click Software Updates located on the right side of the page

  4. Important Notes Before We Begin message will display; click Continue

  5. The Terms and Conditions page will populate. Please read through and click Accept to continue

  6. Step 1 of 2: Insert an SD card. This card should be at least 8GB (but no more than 32GB) of storage. Do not use a preloaded chart card. The micro/SD card is formatted in the next step. Select the drive for the micro/SD card

  7. Step 2 of 2: Insert an SD Card - gives a Reformat warning. Read through the warning message and click OK. Then click Continue

The window will now display Step 2 of 2: Installing. A download bar will fill as it completes the process. When the download completes, installation instructions will display with a button to close the process.