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Garmin Express (Mac) and Fenix 9 problem

seagers

Hi guys,

I'm having a problem with Garmin Express on Mac and my new Fenix 9 Pro.

Quick background on my setup: I've been using Garmin Express on Mac for a long time with my Epix Pro Gen 2 and my Edge 1050, and everything works flawlessly there, sync included.

However, when I connect my new Fenix 9 to the Mac, communication between the Mac and the watch (and vice versa) doesn't work. I can log the watch into Garmin Express and it does show up as connected (green dot). But right after the watch is detected, an error message appears saying content can't be synced — for example the records file or golf courses.

The real issue, though, is with the maps. When I switch to the Maps tab in Garmin Express, not a single map is checked as installed, it looks as if there's no map on the watch at all (but there are). If I select a new map to install, the download itself runs, but it aborts at 50% (this seems to be where transfer to the watch begins). It doesn't matter which map, already-installed ones or brand-new ones, none of them work.

Switching to a Windows PC, everything works fine: sync, installed maps show up correctly with a checkmark, and installing new maps works without any issues.

Back on the Mac: same error again. As mentioned, the old Epix and the Edge work fine on the Mac under this exact same setup.

So far I've tried a number of things without success: I fully uninstalled and reinstalled Garmin Express multiple times, including clearing the cache folders in ~/Library/Application Support/Garmin and ~/Library/Caches. I confirmed Rosetta 2 is installed, and I also granted Garmin Express full disk access.

I've also reset the watch to factory settings multiple times without any improvement, and I tried Garmin Express under a different user account on the same Mac — same error occurs.

Can anyone help, or does someone have an idea what might be causing this?

Thanks,
Dirk

  • 0 in reply to Garmin - PW

    Yes, I get errors syncing my fenix 9 pro and can not get any map to download to it.

  • 0

    What a shambles. Releasing a new, flagship watch that doesn’t work with its own desktop software on ~15% of the world’s computers.

    I would hope Garmin are embarrassed by this. But the fact they’ve had 6 years to address the underlying issue suggests they won’t be.

  • 0

    Hi everyone,

    I have a partial solution for that might help most of you guys. It won't fix the Garmin Express connection issue, but would let you download most of the maps.
    1) Connect your watch to a trusted wifi network: Watch Settings --> Connectivity --> Wifi --> My Networks --> Search for Networks....

    2) Go to Maps: Activities & Apps --> Maps --> Options (3 lines top right) --> .... From there you have many options like: 

         a) Map Layers --> Get More Maps...... (THIS IS WHAT MOST OF US ARE LOOKING FOR) Heavy check mark️

         b) Map Settings --> Map Manager...... (useful if you need to delete maps)

         c) Download Maps (surprisingly not what most of us are looking for)
      

    I know the issue is really frustrating specially for some of us that really relay on our Garmin watches to navigate outdoors. So I really hope this help most of you guys !

  • 0 in reply to Nine
    I bought Garmin’s flagship Fenix 6 watch expecting premium durability and longevity for my outdoor lifestyle. Instead, I have been left with expensive electronic waste.
    The battery has suddenly suffered severe degradation. When I contacted Garmin, I was shocked to learn that they refuse to repair their own premium devices or offer battery replacements. Because the watch is a sealed unit, a third-party repair means the waterproofing can no longer be guaranteed—rendering the watch useless for my primary sport, swimming.
    Garmin’s only solution is to force me into spending hundreds more pounds by offering a minor discount on an upgrade. They are essentially using planned obsolescence as a sales funnel. For a brand that markets itself to outdoor enthusiasts who value nature and sustainability, forcing a perfectly pristine piece of hardware into a landfill just because a consumable battery aged is utterly shameful and anti-consumer.
    If you expect a premium sports watch to be supported or repairable, look elsewhere. Garmin treats their flagships as disposable.