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Garmin Express with MacBook Air M1

rdeletoile
over 3 years ago

I have recently migrated from a Windows PC to a MacBook Air (M1) running BigSur 11.2. Garmin Express will not detect my Fenix 5X. the watch is set to Mass storage and I have it connected to the MacBook via the watch charging cable connected to a USB-A to Thunderbolt adapter. When connected, the watch is charging. Any clue about resolving this issue ?

Thanks in advance.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to rwenig

    Hi rwenig.  Well I received my new USB-C to USB-micro-B cable and there is no change in performance, re the failure to detect my Nav VI using Garmin Express on the MacBook Air. Just a power supply connection. No external device displayed on the desktop either. Another failure, this is harder than Quantum  Mechanics.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to riggo

    Just to be sure, this device is recognized on other computers?

    Does Garmin support have anything to say?

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to rwenig

    The Nav VI works perfectly, it connects to my old iMac running Catalina OS. I have even connected a Garmin LM390 to the MacBook Air. This older GPS uses a USB-A to mini cable  via a USB-C to USB-A adapter (Mokin brand). The LM 390 connects with no issue. Garmin customer service have advised that its an adapter issue and they might at some unspecified future offer a suitable cable for sale. Of course in this case there is no adapter, its connection is via the new cable. Apple believe it to be that the Garmin Express code in unable to understand the new M1 native language. But it does seem your devices communicate successfully????.  Maybe not all data cables are equal. Garmin UK are unable to provide the definitive Pin Allocation for their Nav VI micro-B interface connector. Not very helpful and frankly unbelievable. Otherwise, I think I have now tried all the advice offered  by Garmin. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to rwenig

    I have a Toshiba Hub which works perfectly

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 3 years ago

    Using a MacBook M1 and Mac OS Monterey version 12.0.1. I am unable to connect the Garmin Nuvi GPS using the standard Apple USB adaptor. Switched to a Moshi USB adaptor and the MacBook recognises the Garmin Nuvi GPS. 

    Under Mac OS Security and Privacy settings, Files and Folders the Garmin Express application appears, and I have enabled Removable Volumes. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Hi,

    My 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro wont recognise my Fenix 5X. It won't mount it as a ln external drive either and I can't get it to add the watch on Garmin Express.

    I've tried changing the mount option on the watch, neither work.

    I've used the original cable and an adaptor as well as an after market ucb-c cable and no luck.

    Any help appreciated.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Garmin is clearly doing something non-standard, otherwise any of the other five USB cables I have that work with other mass storage devices would work with the BMW Navi VI. They need to figure this out. Essentially, it's not triggering mass storage mode correctly on the new M1 Macs.

    I found a dumb workaround. I have an Intel Mac for work, but I can't just use that for personal stuff. However, I can plug the device in with the same adapter and Garmin cable that doesn't work on the M1 Mac to get it into mass storage mode. Then, against my better judgement as an IT professional, yank the cable out of the laptop, run it over to my M1 and plug it in. It's still in mass storage mode and Garmin Express is then able to update the maps.

    Pretty lame that an expensive device like this can't connect to a USB port. This kind of technology was perfected decades ago and it smells fishy that of all the cables, hubs, mass storage devices, etc. I own, this is the only one that can't properly/easily connect to a brand new laptop. It's almost frustrating enough to make me want to huck this thing onto the freeway and buy a Goldwing.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to mattyj2001

    It's also worth noting that I tried this with several other USB cables that "didn't work" with the M1 Mac, and they work fine when using the "yank and transfer" method above. So it's not really the cable, it's Garmin's poor design and/or engineering and the way the device interacts with certain cables/hubs/whatever.

    The device has the capability to use and communicate with any of these 'incompatible' cables, it's just that the dumb device isn't detecting its mass-storageness properly. Maybe they'll come out with one that costs $1100 that connects to a Mac properly.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to mattyj2001

    I have both a Macbook M1 and Ian ntel iMac.

    My Garmin devices aren't detected by the M1 Macbook - with the original Garmin cable- and two different USB-C to USB-A cables, but detected fine with the Intel iMac (via USB-C)

    So clearly M1 architecture and Garmin don't play well

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to DomPom

    I am running Monterey OS. My devices are Edge 820 plus and Fenix 5X. My Fenix Garmin original cable may have a problem but not that of the Edge