Garmin Express with MacBook Air M1

I’ve had a Mac Mini M1 since day 1 and now have a M1 Max MBP. I’ve used both Big Sur and Monterey and every beta version (I’m a registered Apple developer).  Using Apple’s own dongle, the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (MUF82AM), I have zero issues connecting to any of my Garmin devices - Marq, Fenix 6X Pro Solar, Tactix Delta and now Epix 2. I’ve installed beta software and custom maps many times on all models.

I’m not entirely convinced that there’s an issue with Garmin or Apple’s M1. It’s more than likely a compatibility issue with the adapter/ dongle/ hub.

Same boat.... New 2021 loaded MacBook Pro M1 Max. Tried every Garmin excuse. Wish they would invest the time in their software..... As it states on the Garmin Software site Mac Requirements are Intel based Mac......

See Garmin Express not Detecting Devices on Mac Catalina 10.15 and Big Sur 11.0 in the event that you are on Mac Catalina or Big Sur. Like this Garmin platform, the reddit also the online information based platform. So, we research from various types of platform about reddit macbook pro, then after that, we will mention these points about how to connect any platform with apple ID.

Guarantee that Garmin Express is Up-to-Date...

1. Open Garmin Express.
2. Click Garmin Express in the Apple menu bar.
3. Click About Garmin Express.
4. Click Check for Updates to Express.
5. Click Install Now whenever incited.

So, I think there are two issues with Garmin and Mac.  The first off is that Garmin remains on very old technology for the connectors.  The USB connection seems to not work well if at all on Macs.  Granted Mac is only USB-C and Garmin is anything but.  So even with my intel MacBook pro trying to find a cable that would work for my Garmin watch was a nightmare of buying cables, hoping, and then giving up.  As far as Apple Silicon .vs. Intel it is stupid simple to produce an Apple silicon app or universal app and we spent, as a dev org, perhaps 1 person 3 hours to get it worked out.  So Garmin has possibly decided that anyone owning apple hardware will ultimately move to the apple watch and abandon Garmin thus they choose to abandon those customers first.  Sad but probably a business decision they have the right to choose.  Just better if they would be upfront and recommend customers who use Apple should move on from Garmin.  Best to be more upfront about this.  But their choice.

  What is sad for me is I have been both a long-time customer and a vocal supporter.  I used them in my airplane and for years I told all my friends why Gamin was the best choice for them.  Unfortunately, my friends now have apple laptops, and phones and I cannot recommend Garmin to them.  Thus they all are now using the Apple watch and telling me I am the one who needs to catch up and use the apple watch.  Just sad but sooner or later I need to accept they are right and I am now wrong.

SOLVED!!  See HERE

Seems every time I try to sync to my MAC, I have the same problem where it charges, but Garmin Express doesn't see my watch is connected.  I have multiple Garmin devices and this is the only one that has problems. 

I am running the most current version of Garmin Express (7.12.3.0) and the most current version of OSX 12.3.1. Last time this happened, I went on an and hour adventure and dove through multiple folders deleting specific files as specified in a different thread on this site before I finally was able to wipe this inferior software's mind enough to allow me to acquire the most recent update.  Now have more updates, and I'm back at the same place, yet again.

Judging by the multiple threads of people having similar problems, I have tried restarting every device with no avail.  I have both USB and USB-C cables and neither work. 

Does anyone have a solution that fixes this once and for all? 

If not (and if Garmin reads theses posts), I suggest tossing a few watches and your software to a university full of high performing software engineers and let them figure out what your engineers can't.