Put files on your Garmin watch from a Mac
A Mac cannot open newer Garmin watches over USB, so the watch charges but never shows up in Finder. This page talks to the watch directly from Chrome or Edge: connect the cable, drop a file, and it goes into the right folder. Maps, GPX routes, music and watch faces. Nothing to install, and your files never leave your computer.
Beta. Tested on fēnix 9 Pro with Chrome on macOS. Other models use the same protocol and should work; if yours does not, open the technical log at the bottom of the tool, it shows where it stopped.
Before you connect
1Chrome or Edge
Open this page in Chrome or Edge on your computer.
2Unlock the watch
Turn off the PIN lock while you transfer files.
3Plug in, wait 10 s
Connect the USB cable and give the watch about 10 seconds.
4Connect
Click the button and pick your Garmin. Not in the list yet? Wait a moment and click again.
- Map · .img
- Route · .gpx / .fit
- Music · .mp3 / .m4a
- Watch face · .prg
Files on the watch
Technical log
Questions
Why doesn’t my Mac see my Garmin watch?
Newer Garmin watches connect over MTP, the same file transfer protocol Android phones use, and macOS has no built-in MTP support. The watch charges, but it never appears in Finder. This page speaks MTP itself, in the browser. Older models that show up as a USB drive do appear in Finder: copy files into their GARMIN folder directly.
Do my files get uploaded anywhere?
No. The page reads the file in your browser and sends it over the USB cable to the watch. Nothing goes to our server, and the browser only gives the page access to the device you pick in its USB dialog.
Which files can I transfer, and where do they go?
Maps: one ready gmapsupp.img file goes into the GARMIN folder. Routes: GPX files and FIT courses go into GARMIN/NewFiles, and the watch imports them under Navigation, Courses. Music: MP3 and M4A go into the Music folder on watches with music storage. Watch faces and apps: .prg files go into GARMIN/Apps. Files are recognised by their content, not only by the extension, and wrong files are refused with an explanation.
Where do I get free maps for my watch?
Maps made by OpenStreetMap volunteers are free. Download the version made for the device, a single file called gmapsupp.img or similar. Two good starting points are listed below.
Why doesn’t the map from my download work?
Many map downloads are made for the desktop program BaseCamp: a folder with dozens of .img files plus .TDB, .MDX and .TYP files. The watch reads only one assembled file named gmapsupp.img. This tool recognises such fragments and tells you; look for the device version in the same download.
Which watches can play my music?
Only models with music storage, such as the Music editions and most current fēnix, epix, Forerunner and Venu models. If the watch has no Music folder, the tool says so. Copy-protected files from streaming services and stores do not play; use your own MP3 or M4A files.
Does it work on Windows?
Windows already shows Garmin watches in File Explorer, so you can copy files there. Windows also keeps the watch busy, which can stop the browser from opening it. The tool is made for Macs; Linux with Chrome works too.
What about watch faces from the Connect IQ Store?
Install them with the Connect IQ app as usual, see the installation guide. This tool is for .prg files you already have, for example a build a developer sent you.