Basecamp Mac - Recent Threads

RE: Alternative to BaseCamp Mac for editing/creating GPX files for Tracks and Waypoints

6749010 — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 14:51:37 GMT

[quote userid="1898062" url="~/apps-software/mac-windows-software/f/basecamp-mac/439008/alternative-to-basecamp-mac-for-editing-creating-gpx-files-for-tracks-and-waypoints"]

I've noticed a few posts where people are asking for an alternative to BaseCamp Mac now that support for Apple Silicon doesn't seem to be forthcoming. The best I've found so far is the website GPX.Studio (https://gpx.studio).

I've been using it to create GPX files for biking and hiking routes that I can load on to my Garmin Oregon handheld (hiking) and Garmin Edge (biking).

For the Oregon I just export the GPX files from the gpx.studio app to the Mac file system and then copy them to the GPX folder on the Oregon using the macOS Finder.

For the Edge bike computer the exported GPX files are first uploaded to the Garmin Connect web site before being sent to the Edge.

The GPX.Studio app uses a few different basemap's including various versions of OpenStreetMap. It's very fast, unlike the dog that is BaseCamp, and fairly easy to use once you get a hang of it.

Hope this helps those of you looking for a BaseCamp alternative. Let me know if you have any alternatives that you found useful. I'm open to trying anything.

[/quote]

I also have the same question about finding a reliable alternative to BaseCamp Mac, especially now that Apple Silicon support seems uncertain. GPX.Studio sounds like a good option, and I appreciate you sharing your experience with it. In a similar way, Alight Motion gives creators tools to customize animations and visual elements, making it easier to shape a project according to their preferences rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. The ability to create GPX routes quickly and transfer them to Garmin devices without dealing with a slow application is exactly what I would look for. I also like that it supports different basemaps, including OpenStreetMap, since having access to different map views can make planning hiking and biking routes much easier.

Alternative to BaseCamp Mac for editing/creating GPX files for Tracks and Waypoints

gcerullo — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:32:16 GMT

I've been using it to create GPX files for biking and hiking routes that I can load on to my Garmin Oregon handheld (hiking) and Garmin Edge (biking).

For the Oregon I just export the GPX files from the gpx.studio app to the Mac file system and then copy them to the GPX folder on the Oregon using the macOS Finder.

For the Edge bike computer the exported GPX files are first uploaded to the Garmin Connect web site before being sent to the Edge.

The GPX.Studio app uses a few different basemap's including various versions of OpenStreetMap. It's very fast, unlike the dog that is BaseCamp, and fairly easy to use once you get a hang of it.

Hope this helps those of you looking for a BaseCamp alternative. Let me know if you have any alternatives that you found useful. I'm open to trying anything.

Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

AustinH_ — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 19:52:00 GMT

This appears to a be confusing question.

Does Garmin intend to update Basecamp in order to be compatible with 'Apple Silicon'?

Not interested in alternative suggestions, or references to other products or guesswork from non-official sources.

Apple has made it clear that with the next Mac OS version (OS 28). The translation program (Rosetta Stone) that apple has provided to allow intel apps to run on apple silicon wilt no longer be included. Any intel apps (Basecamp) not modified to run on Apple Silicon will not run at all.

So...can apple users of Basecamp get a straight answer?

Austin Hutton

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

SergZak — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 22:58:29 GMT

Garmin can't even get Garmin Express working natively on Apple Silicon. What makes one think they will take a piece of software (Basecamp) that is no longer being maintained and suddenly divert resources to making that work on Apple Silicon?

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

AustinH_ — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:29:22 GMT

I don't really think Garmin has an opinion on Apple users vs Windows user. What they have is a financial problem. Downloadable apps are a very old architecture, worse they are expensive as *** to maintain. Multiple iterations for each OS version times the number of OS versions times the number of distinct OS. Then how do you do training, documentation, and troubleshooting? Now just for giggles add in multiple language versions and give the application away for free.

It's worse that the application is so widely adopted and so sophisticated...It is a financial loser, probably on a massive scale. The existence to Bsecamp camp customizable routes possible but not all of Garmin's models allow injecting a custom route...so beyond a limited market Basecamp probably wasn't driving hardware sales.

So....my guess is some years ago...like 6 or 8 years ago Garmin made the corporate decision to put Basecamp in 'maintenance only' mode and cut their expenses. They also understood trying to figure out a replacement. As a personal observation..that hasn't gone so well. What is true is the completely vertically integarated (thought to route) environment is now chopped up with a couple of on-line applications from Garmin and multiple competing products getting into the routing space.

What is so epically annoying is the corporate doublespeak. Micrsoft, Apple and other software vendors are quite clear about what they will and won't do with older applications and when an application is identified as "end of life'. A user might not like the answer but their expectations are managed. Garmin just mealy mouths around the question and never actually puts a stake in the ground.

As it stands now if they do nothing part of their Basecamp 'problem' goes away because Apple made an OS change they announce years ago and Garmin has chosen not to commit to adapting Basecamp. That said it's important to note they will certainly make a change for Garmin Express for no other reason than it's method to provide configuration and software updates to thousands of hardware devices still in use

My advice to riding buddies has been to figure out what non-Basecamp route building application works for you and then sort out if resulting routes can be input to the Garmin's you want to use. Even if you are a Windows Basecamp user the very real likelihood that the Apple version of Basecamp could disappear a year from now should be viewed as a cautionary tale. That analysis and migration towards something that works has turned a lot of Garmin users to non-Garmin solutions..including non-Garmin hardware (i.e. CarPlay devices )

For anyone that's interested. .I'm a long time Apple user...stopped using Basecamp a couple of years ago as it was becoming obvious it was a dead end and I wasn't impressed with Garmin alternatives (Tread, etc.). I have had Garmin GPS devices for 20 years on multiple bikes..but no longer own any Garmin devices as I found the CarPlay option more useful

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

7682774 — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:35:29 GMT

Blaming “the age and stability of the BaseCamp program” as an excuse for not producing an Apple Silicon version is ironic given that Garmin deliberately abandoned development of Basecamp years ago despite it being valued by users. Almost every other software developer has managed to produce an Apple Silicon or at least a Universal version of their product. Garmin just doesn’t care about its Apple users. I was going to upgrade from my old Garmin 61 navigator but now I’ll toss it in the drawer with my other old Nuvi’s and use Google Maps in the car.

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

AustinH_ — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 15:58:11 GMT

Check out My Route app as a replacement for basecamp. They have an on-line planning tool that does 90+% of what basecamp does far more efficiently and it can export the files in multiple formats.

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

AustinH_ — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 15:55:03 GMT

I would expect to see a apple silicon version of Express as it is used to provide software updates to a number of Garmin devices..far more useful to Garmin than Basecamp apparently.

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

Ivo-tje — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 06:54:13 GMT

Using basecamp for ages to plan trips for my Nuvi and etrex devices. Assumed this would work for the edge as well. As said, I just bought it. Planning trips in connect app, on a phone? Is that even possible, websites seems to work "fine" but a bit simple, not as detailed as basecamp. Moving points glitches a lot, so undo all steps and replace it, not great during longer routes, but guess I need to get used to this or find new tools to work outside Garmin.

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

Jeff_in_MD — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 02:08:27 GMT

It's totally assinine that you don't support Garmin Express on Apple Silicon, especially given all the warnings that the program WILL NOT work. There are over 100 million Mac users, and I have no idea how many are also Garmin users, but we are unable to upgrade

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

JaVaWa — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:07:24 GMT

BaseCamp isn't the right application for your Garmin Edge anyway, use Garmin Connect instead (website and app).

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

Ivo-tje — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:22:14 GMT

So sad they stop Basecamp support for Mac. How to plan your routes? They point to connect and express but guess what: express is also unusable on a Mac since OSX27!

I cancelled my order for the forerunner 970 and thinking about selling my edge.

Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

NorthernKai — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:34:11 GMT

hi folks

tried to reply to the other thread but it won't let me

i'm getting the message about base camp too (apple silicon and all that)

i emailed Garmin and they said there are no plans to update base camp to make it compatible [emoticon:ca08b2c27c2f40e993e89508acf29e0b]

i use it all the time with my eTrex Touch.

what are the alternatives?

Garmin have pointed me to Explore and Connect. will these be any good for plotting routes? that what I mainly do

are there any 3rd party apps that will allow you to connect and plot routes?

of course the easiest thing would be for Garmin to update the app, can't be that much in it, and there are still thousands of users of base camp i'm sure

thanks

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

Ivo-tje — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:10:21 GMT

No more updates? What? Just bought an expensive bike computer and can't use the companion software anymore??? Feels like a scam.

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

AustinH_ — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 20:25:38 GMT

"Given the age and stability of the BaseCamp program, no further updates or versions are planned at this time. However, we're always committed to customer support for it in the interim."

So... the answer is officially "No, there is no plan to allow Basecamp to become compatible with Apple silicon.

RE: Basecamp upgrade for Apple Silicon

Garmin - PW — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:47:37 GMT

We appreciate you reaching out about potential support for our BaseCamp program to work with Apple silicon-based Mac computers.

While we don't normally list what may or may not be supported in future, we understand that the support for Rosetta is ending and it's important to find out for sure so alternative options can be found, if needed.

Given the age and stability of the BaseCamp program, no further updates or versions are planned at this time. However, we're always committed to customer support for it in the interim.

RE: Delete Leading zero on watch face of Fenix9

SUSSAMB — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:01:28 GMT

This is a BaseCamp forum, nothing to do with what you've posted.

Delete Leading zero on watch face of Fenix9

7991656 — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:17:32 GMT

I already know the answer, but how can GARMIN be so tone deaf to not make that a universal option on ALL watch faces. These complaints are ALL OVER THE INTERNET

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

JimnSeattle — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:48:16 GMT

Basecamp works with MacOs 27 (Goldengate). I started BC up and the OS asked if it was okay to download Rosetta 2. Update/install was less than a minute and no restart. Now it says it won’t work NEXT year when OS 28 comes out.

RE: Basecamp and Express updates to "apple silicon"

Garmin - SP — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:03:20 GMT

As RMOLINARO mentioned, this is correct. Please refer to the forum thread linked below for any updates regarding this. Apple Silicon Support

Basecamp and Express updates to "apple silicon"

AustinH_ — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 02:41:20 GMT

Has anyone seen anything in writing from Garmin regarding updates to Basecamp/Express to suspport 'apple silicon'?

Garmin's actions that past 6+ years indicate they have effectively obsoleted these apps without any offical 'end of life' notice.

I'm interested in Garmin itself has published anything regarding this update

RE: Basecamp and Express updates to "apple silicon"

RMOLINARO — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 19:26:12 GMT

Garmin replied on the Express forum (see below) that they are working a new release for ARM. Basecamp is no longer being developed but have you tried Garmin Tread (iPad app) on your Mac? It just a GPX viewer if that's all you need. Garmin Explore (Add to Dock App) can do routing but not for Auto. The new Drive 7.1/8.8 has just come out and there are new features for Drive app (just with iPhone Mirroring). I have one coming tomorrow so maybe Drive will fill in the Tread and Explore holes.

We appreciate you all reaching out about potential support for our Express program to work with Apple Silicon-based Mac computers.

While we don't typically announce what may or may not be supported in the future, we also understand that the support for Rosetta is ending and it's important to find out for sure.

This will be addressed with a future version of Express that natively supports Apple Silicon however, we have no exact time-frame to provide. We are aiming for it to be released this year though. I would recommend periodically checking our Express page as well as book marking this thread for additional information.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

NorthernKai — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:43:58 GMT

i cant even use explore with my device, Etrex touch. it seems to only accept inReach devices

from what i know basecamp is the only app that will recognise the maps i have installed on my Etrex touch

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

MiamiC70 — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:24:41 GMT

Then they should have focused on that goal and give Explore the same features. Their app ecosystem is a whole other mess.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

McKee — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:22:51 GMT

I really need something that is fully offline, so Explore won't work for me. I am hoping this will: https://stuckinlowgear.com/ramani/

Offline, mac native - road trip/overlander oriented, but no reason it wouldn't work for hiking, etc.