Firmware 3.8 install failed

Typo above!  "This might be a inreach mini, vs. an inreach mini 2" but i got it in the right forum after confirming. 

For both the M1 and M2, ALL that Garmin Express does is to copy the f/w file (gcupdate.gcd) to the device. Although I don't recall for sure, I believe it lands in the Garmin folder. The f/w is not actually installed until you unplug the device. The device then reboots, notices the update, and asks if you want to install it.

When things are working right, Express (at least on Windows) will show the device as "up to date" even though the f/w has not yet been installed.

I have no experience with Express on a Mac, but I would expect the sequence to work the same way.

Where do you see the error? In Express, or on the device after you unplug it?

It's in express that the error shows up. 

The following is by way of trying to isolate the problem. It isn't going to "fix" anything. 

Plug the device in. If Express opens, close it to keep it out of the equation. Use Finder (I guess it's called) to look at the "removable drive" that corresponds to the device. If you can see the file system, the problem is not the device, the cable, or the port on the Mac. If you can't see it, the problem is likely on the Mac end. Possibly the cable - any chance it's a "charge only" cable?

Leave Finder open. Run Express, tell it to install the update. Once it finishes (or dies), go back to Finder and check to see of the gcupdate.gcd file is there. If it is (and is non-zero size), it should install when you unplug the device. if it is not there, or if it is zero length, then Express did not deliver it.

If it looks OK but does not install when you unplug the device, it's on the device end. You can try a hard "reset to factory settings", but that's a big hammer. You will lose all user data on the device. And you will have to repeat the outdoor portion of the activation.

I can't say I've ever tried a version jump this large. But it should not be an issue. Express is pretty much the only f/w update channel for these devices. It ought to work.

When all that fails, open a support ticket.

Thanks for all this help.  It doesn't appear the file is getting copied as you mention.  This isn't a charging cable either (that's bit me in the past).  

I can try a windows machine as well since this is the first time attempting on a mac.   Didn't even know it was such a big jump on versions, but I'll see what happens on windows and report back.  

Thank you.

So following up on this post, i'm happy to report that the windows install worked fine and everything was seamless.  I'm not sure why the mac is an issue though it's possible it's M1 or IOS related.  In any event, i'm glad I've bumped full firmware versions.  

Cheers!