Mass Storage Mode not working / No access to Garmin BaseCamp

Just checked it with macos and enduro 2 using fw 9.36

android file transfer is working fine and i can see the garmin-directory like in version 9.33

https://www.android.com/filetransfer/

Sorry, i hate basecamp, and do not use it.

i am old school and use mapsource on windows.

but to copy a map to enduro 2, android file transfer should be the right tool for macos.

i just use images from opentopomap

https://garmin.opentopomap.org/#europe

which work great on the watch

download-copy-finished :-)

Hi @Aetsch820, yes, any Garmin compatible .img image format will be recognized when it is copied to the "Garmin" folder on the watch. For navigating activities, the built-in Garmin maps should be disabled however, because otherwise they will conflict and that may lead to routing errors.

Garmin have built in two USB modes in their watches. Formerly these were called "MTP" and "Mass Storage". But now there is "MTP" or "Garmin" mode. If Garmin mode is selected, the watch prompts whether to go again with MTP. If MTP is denied (No), then the watch should enter mass storage mode - in theory.

Could You check - on Windows - if the "Garmin" USB Mode makes the watch enter mass storage mode?

On the watch, the mode can be switched: System -> USB Mode -> set to "Garmin" instead of "MTP". And if the watch asks to enable MTP when tue USB cable is plugged in, klick "No" to ensure that MTP is OFF.

If that works, Windows disk features will become available on the watch, such as disk check and defragmentation (via right-klick context menu in Windows Explorer). Also the watch would have to be ejected like a regular USB stick using the eject feature in the Windows notification area.

In MTP mode however, the watch can be removed without ejecting and disk features like defragmentation and disk check are not available at all. TY for Your support! :-)

As already noted, you have to use Android File Transfer or similar to access the files on any Garmin watch that has music. There is no need to change any settings on the watch. However, Garmin Express must be fully shutdown or else AFT will not work. The file access issue is more to do with MacOS security than anything else. 

@philipshambrook - agreed, I got the point. No mass storage mode any more for Garmin Watches.

But that does not explain why Garmin watches have two USB modes, "MTP" and "Garmin" where the "Garmin" mode seems to do nothing at all. I hope that Garmin will answer this question if they get to this thread.

BaseCamp has not seen any updates for over a year now, and they seem to silently replace it with their connect web service. New Garmin customers will probably not even know it exists. However, this is particularly bad for importing precision GPX tracks, because the connect web portal seems to automatically make adjustments to GPX tracks during import so that the imported ones deviate from the original. Let alone that it requires an internet connection, too.

Regarding lack of MTP support in macOS, I do not see this connected with macOS security. MTP was a pure Microsoft Invention and unlike Google, Apple have always been reluctant to implement peculiar features in their OSes.

So eventually two questions remain:
1. What is the "Garmin" USB Mode on newer fenix and Enduro models for (if it is not enabling Mass Storage Mode)?

2. What is the strategy for the Garmin BaseCamp Software, is it still officially supported or is it on the cross-off list?

1. MTP mode is Media Transfer Protocol developed for connecting media devices and smartphones over USB. MacOS has a 'thing' about digital rights for music hence why watches with music cannot connect directly to Finder, Garmin Express, and BaseCamp on MacOS. My GPSMAP66i however, does connect directly to Finder and BaseCamp simply because it does not have music. The USB mode is simply the 'older' protocol that Garmin had for connecting to computers.

2. I believe Basecamp is being deprecated; I recall reading that somewhere. This is because the drive is to push people towards Garmin Explore.

I could be wrong on both counts so perhaps best to contact Garmin Support directly with the questions. There's no guarantee Garmin will respond as this is basically a peer-to-peer forum.

@philipshambrook: don't blame it on Apple. MTP was never available on macOS and Mass Storage Mode was always available on all Garmin devices and it is now gone. To fix that is solely in the responsibility of Garmin. Their strategy for consumer products moves straight into wireless and cloud-based services. Keeping things simple is fine, but what is the use for a cloud-based outdoor watch if you are off-grid without internet connectivity. People who buy a watch for listening to MP3s and tracking workouts in the gym are happy with an Apple or an Android Watch.

Dr Phil said:

push people towards Garmin Explore.

God help us...Garmin Explore iOS and Web are both garbage...