This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Zumo 550 SD Card & Map Updates

Former Member
Former Member
Hi all,

I am having a real headache trying to update the maps on the SD card on my Zumo 550. I currently have 2016 maps which I previously managed to install by copying the xml file over from my device to the SD card and renaming the map files once installed (can't remember if I used Garmin Express or MapInstall).

I can't seem to do anything now to get maps onto my SD card. My computer (I am on a mac running El Capitan) doesn't see the card as the device anymore and if I try and use Map Update it asks me to purchase the maps (I have a lifetime subscription) or enter a code. If I try to enter any of the codes I have it says it cannot connect to Garmin Servers.

I have even tried formatting my SD card to see if Garmin Express (downloaded the newest version yesterday) will let me install to the SD card, but no option exists.

Any help is really appreciated as I have tried everything I can think of.

Many thanks.
  • Express will not recognise the sd card plugged into your Zumo, its one of the few models that this applies to.

    To use the clone method you need to copy the Garmin folder, which contains the .xml file, to your SD card. Express should then see that.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    I tried copying over the garmin xml file to a garmin folder on the SD card but express does not see it.
  • If Express still isn't seeing the card something is wrong. What size is the card? What is the size of the .xml file?

    Also run though this FAQ

    https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId=%7Bb824ca10-f8d8-11e3-c98c-000000000000%7D
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    The XML is 28KB and the card is 8GB.
  • All that looks fine so I'm out if ideas, it certainly should work. It could be a computer issue, are you able to try on a different one?
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 9 years ago
    All that looks fine so I'm out if ideas, it certainly should work. It could be a computer issue, are you able to try on a different one?


    I seem to have finally managed to trick Garmin Express by copying the entire contents of my device to my SD card and ejecting the garmin device. So far the maps are downloading so hopefully that will be all I need (and perhaps renaming the map files).

    Thank you for all your help.
  • Remember that when cloning to a SD card on these older devices like your zumo 550, to use the map from the SD card, you will need to rename the map files from gmapprom.img, gmapprom.gma and gmapprom.unl to gmapsupp.img, gmapsupp,gma and gmapsupp.unl. You will need to do this after Express has finished installing the map on the SD. The map files must remain in the \Garmin folder on the SD card.
  • I just wanted to clear up any confusion here. The Zumo 550 is not supported for updating maps directly to the SD card, which is why the option isn't given. For instructions on installing maps to the memory card on these devices, please see the FAQ What do I do if my device doesn't support the SD card feature during the Garmin Express map update?

    Of course the way you are doing this will work but the method in this article is what is recommended.

    Jason
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 3 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Hi, the problem is SD card size... the 450 and 550 take SD cards MAX 4GB

  • This is a 6 year old thread, closing comments.  Note the 4Gb limit no longer applies, at least to the 550, which is what this topic is about, if running the latest firmware