Basecamp Mac - Recent Threads

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

1543078 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:37:58 GMT

Has anyone tried QMapShack recently on macOS? I'm looking for something that can reliably edit tracks, waypoints, and GPX files without the complexity of BaseCamp.

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

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

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.

Garmin Basecamp does not run on Apple Mac mini M1, while on macbook Air M4 it runs well

6991128 — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 09:24:03 GMT

Intall of Garmin Basecamp runs normal on Mac Mini M1. When I start Basecamp, it looks ok, but screen disappears immediately and only takes stays visible. Not able to close Basecamp w\o forcing it to close. Have tried a downloaded version from App Store and directly from Garmin (later version). Both do not work. However they work fine on my MacBook Air M4. Running latest version of Tahou on Mac (26.0.1). Issue was already present in previous SW release.

RE: Garmin Basecamp does not run on Apple Mac mini M1, while on macbook Air M4 it runs well

James Reeves — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:54:05 GMT

It seems the Apple Silicon compatibility issue is related to the M1 chip rather than BaseCamp itself. Try checking the console logs after launching the app or deleting old preference files. I once resolved a similar issue with the help of a https://nataliepolly.substack.com/p/mac-shortcuts-every-writer-should-know covering software compatibility and alternatives, which might also help identify the cause. Hopefully, Garmin will release a proper fix soon.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

TWZF8 — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:03:16 GMT

I would like to try something other than Garmin, seems more and more you are forced to store things "in the cloud" and the assumption is that you have a way to get to "the cloud" no matter where you are at. I don't want or feel a need to pay for year round storage/access for something that I use maybe four times a year if I'm optimistic

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

Basecamp X Mac M4

MarcosAdv — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:46:15 GMT

Hi. I am receiving a message stating that Basecamp will not work anymore im my M4 MAC. Do you intend to update the Basecamp version to make it compatible?

I am using it for such a long time that I wouldn`t like to rely another options. I spent too many time learning and studying Basecamp software. I trusted in Gamin size and consolidated company to feel secure to invest my time. It would not be a fair decision from Garmin.

Please, advise me about the future to MAC-Garmin features.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

JaVaWa — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 21:02:09 GMT

[quote userid="493220" url="~/apps-software/mac-windows-software/f/basecamp-mac/437690/base-camp-for-mac-support-ending/2040984"]Even the old mac Basecamp had a fraction of the features the Windows version had. [/quote]

BaseCamp for Mac has the same features as the Windows version, it just works different. The toolbar of the Mac version doesn't have that many buttons as the Windows version, features are hidden in context menus.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

4711977 — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:51:27 GMT

You couldn’t, even if you wanted to! The iPhone app is absolute garbage. minimal features and it looks like no one at Garmin has ever even looked at it. The color contrast is messed up, elements go off the screen and can’t be pulled onto it, just for a start.

Even the old mac Basecamp had a fraction of the features the Windows version had. Early on I watched some YouTube videos on how to use it, and was so dismayed when I saw the difference.

It seems like Garmin has been sending the message for a long time that Mac users are an afterthought at best. I made the mistake of not realizing that before I bought from them once, but won’t do it again.

RE: The end is nigh for Basecamp Mac users

3693780 — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:39:15 GMT

Great idea. I submitted the request too. There is no good alternative.

The end is nigh for Basecamp Mac users

FRED5279 — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:21:58 GMT

I opened Basecamp for Mac in my Macbook Air M1, and MacOS 26.4.1 pops up a warning that Basecamp will soon no longer function, with a link to this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102527?cid=mc-ols-rosetta-article_102527-macos_finder-52526201

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

NorthernKai — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 20:40:09 GMT

i'm hoping Garmin are aware of the threads highlighting the Base Camp issue. if we keep talking about it they might do something about it

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

TWZF8 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:24:15 GMT

I love using Basecamp for planning my RV trips!, the other apps are not designed to allow you to customize your route to avoid areas, I need to be able to adjust travel times, stops and routes, there are times we want the interstate and there are times we want to be able to go the backroads. Please tell me who to contact at Garmin and ask for the ability to at least plan the route on my IMAC - remember not all of us have the fingers and the visual acuity to plan a cross country trip on their telephones.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

NorthernKai — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:44:37 GMT

i have looked at alternatives like plotaroute to make my routes, but the problem is they do not use the same map as me

when i plug into basecamp it pulls up my eTrex with the maps i have installed. so when i create a route i know it's for the map i have installed.

there are others places to make routes but they don't relate to the maps on my eTrex

am I getting this right?

RE: The end is nigh for Basecamp Mac users

Pagodroma — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:29:40 GMT

Great idea! Let's all submit the request to make BaseCamp Apple Silicon compatible! I still haven't been able to find a suitable replacement for BaseCamp. Thanks for the link. I've submitted my plea.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

TriumphExplorer — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:41:21 GMT

Come Garmin there are tools for 5 years and on for silicon apps tehy should be easy to compile again for ARM (Silicon) Just don’t leave our mac user in dust We did support Garmin for years I did buy 6 navigation system and it wa sbecase you did support mac user and now you leave the in dust. As user here in the Netherlands we want a Silicon version of Base camp. And there is talk of a Garmin Explorer app to use of on a telefone. But we can’t make route on just a small screen, come on Garmin make basecamp for silicon should be not that difficult

RE: The end is nigh for Basecamp Mac users

Grandpa_Steve — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:31:08 GMT

Just had an online chat with UK Support team and they suggested I leave feedback for the developers and perhaps if they get enough feedback they may re-consider supporting the Silicon infrastructure. I've done this - their link is Tell us about it.

RE: Edge 1040 Solar hangs Basecamp on Macbook Air M4

9086203 — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:40:42 GMT

Thanks for sharing the details. Since the Edge 1040 Solar uses MTP mode on newer firmware, BaseCamp on macOS can sometimes struggle with device communication, especially if another Garmin application is accessing the device at the same time.

Edge 1040 Solar hangs Basecamp on Macbook Air M4

3799751 — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:59:52 GMT

Hello all,
Version 4.8.13 (4.8.13) on MacOS 15.7.3 on macbook air m4

I connect the Edge 1040 Solar (30.18), it is detected by basecamp, I let it load the maps from internal memory but I can't send POIs to it. It hangs and says it couldn't send.
Using usb c usb c cable.
I recall doing it on my older Mac Mini 2014 on same MacOS.
I did it in windows

And my etrex 30 can do it in this same Macbook air M4.

Can anyone provide a solution? Today I don't have more the old mac nor a windows machine with me.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

4711977 — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 03:26:38 GMT

I emailed with an apologetic rep who said "The more people who contact us about this the more likely we are to do something about it."

So if you haven't messaged support already, please do!

Here's what I said: "I know it’s not your decision, but please pass on the feedback that this should be addressed quickly. Not being prepared to handle the end-of-life for a critical application required for me to get full use of a product has left me feeling unlikely to ever recommend or buy Garmin products again in the future."

For now we can still use it, but the more folks you can get to write in, the better.

We purchased this product with the understanding that we had full application support on macOS - Explore (app and online) are nowhere near the same level of functionality. The Mac version of the app was always less full featured than the Windows version, but I accepted that. I found workarounds to do basic editing in it, and have lots of saved tracks, organized how I want them. There's no way to even export my folders and import them in Explore, it would be like starting from scratch, manually importing hundreds of tracks.

I'd be thrilled if they put out a new app that had better features for both platforms. It could even be web-based, but Explore needs a lot of work to get to parity.

Side note: Garmin Connect is a weird suggestion, it's not even close to the same thing.

Windows users always feel the need to chime in and say everything doesn't need to be supported on Mac. Well, it does if you sold it to us as part of the support package when we bought the product.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

6920135 — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 17:52:02 GMT

This will be a major loss for me. I spend so much time in BaseCamp planning and tracking my adventures with a large hiking group.I don't know what "Explore" is but I have used "Connect" for years - since before it was a Garmin product - and it doesn't really do much aside from sharing. Won't have any reason to buy Garmin devices any more.

Aktif kan Garmin

4764346 — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 16:40:32 GMT

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

SUSSAMB — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 16:23:10 GMT

And many can use it successfully, just like many can still use its predecessor, MapSource.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

matthewsbr_ — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 13:56:09 GMT

It may be no longer supported but Garmin are still telling you to use it on the etrex 30 site. An extract from the page:

Looking for Something Else?

To backup or view waypoints, routes, or tracks saved to your computer, download our BaseCamp™ program. Select your operating system below to download BaseCamp software.
- Windows OS
- Mac OS
For help choosing and purchasing a new map, see - Choosing and Purchasing a Map for Your Outdoor Handheld.
For instructions on downloading a purchased map, see - Downloading a Purchased Map with Garmin Express for an Outdoor Handheld.

RE: Base Camp for Mac (support ending)

SUSSAMB — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 06:31:21 GMT

Except BaseCamp development stopped years ago. It's old software and no longer supported. It's not Garmin's job to keep old software running no matter what Apple do. Garmin now provide other software for route planning etc.