Problems updating explore 2

1444714 18 days ago

Made a protocol how to finaly upgrade my explore 2 which was still hooked on map software from 2021.22 and refused the updates

Update maps problem with the Garmin Edge Explore 2

The Edge Explore 2 only has 16GB of internal storage. The new 2025.10 map files are cumulatively so large that the device does not have enough temporary space to overwrite the old maps, causing Garmin Express to give an error message halfway through or even tell you that the update was successful, while when you check the maps on your device, you find that they were not updated.

It should also be mentioned that Garmin has changed the naming from 'Cycle Map' to 'TopoActive'. The old maps that are in your newly purchased EE2 date from 2021 and were named, for example, INTL Standard Base Map, Garmin CYCLE Map EU 2021-22 West, Garmin Cycle Map EU 2021-22 East.

Now first check which card files are on your EE2. To do this, go to menu - Activity profiles and then choose Cycling - Navigation - Map - Map information.

Now connect your EE2 to a USB port on your Windows PC. Your EE2 will be installed and now if you click on the symbol of your EE2, you can find it in the Folder This PC – Devices and Drives, and you will see the various folders and files that are on the device.

Look for the following files: gmaprom.img and also if there are several versions such as gmaprom1.img and 2, also all gmaprom.gma and those ending in .unl. Also search for D6285160A.img and D6185160A.gma. You should definitely delete these files, otherwise the update will fail again.

What you should definitely not delete is the gmapbmap.img folder and the D4728160A.img and D4713090A.img folders.

Download Garmin Express for Windows now and install and launch the program. However, first remove your EE2 from the PC. Turn off the EE2 and restart it, so that it cleans up some cache remnants. Now you hang it back on the PC and the device is recognized by the Garmin Express. A green light will turn on and there will also be a "Connected" message.

Now Garmin Express will also see that your device needs map updates. You search for the desired file name, for Europe this is the Topactive Europe 2025.10. Choose to update.

It takes a while now (but not hours as indicated). It will then be notified that the update is ready.

Now remove your EE2 from the PC again and boot the device to check if the maps have been updated. To do this, go to menu - Activity profiles and then choose Cycling - Navigation - Map - Map information. Here you will now find the new maps and they are the following:

TopoActive Europe West 2025.10
Standard Basemap
Garmin DEM Map EU 2023.10

Mission accomplished, but in the meantime the next update is already available, namely the Topactive Europe 2026.11. Pair your EE2 back to the PC and restart Garmin Express. This determines that there is an update and you just have to click on it. After finishing this installation, remove your EE2 from the PC again, start the device and check if the following cards are now on it:

INTL Standard Basemap, NR
Garmin DEM Map Europe 2026.10
Garmin Geocode Map Europe 2026.10
Topoactive Europe, West 2026.11

Good luck !! Date : 25/06/2026

Top Replies

1444714 16 days ago in reply to 1444714 +2

At Mat S

Will try to clarify what the files realy mean : You must absolutely LEAVE THESE ALONE (Crucial system files). Do not touch the following files: gmapbmap.img: This is the base world map. Without…

All Replies

0 rbclass 18 days ago

WTF? Updating their devices is Garmin’s responsibility, not something users should have to handle themselves. But I have to admit, Garmin is doing a great job of losing customers with this kind of nonsense.

0 Laurent 17 days ago

This is really not user friendly, and using a MAC, I can't see the EE2's disk and so no way to delete the files you mentioned.

I hope Garmin will come with a good workaround

0 Matt S 17 days ago

Thanks, I'm having a similar issue. I find it kinda strange to have to delete existing factory maps, just to be able to update an existing factory map. But the device seems to have room to add bbbike open street maps. I'm ready to say "the *** with the Garmin maps". Also would you be able to give a description as what those files are that are being deleted or kept? And maybe why the files are there if they can be deleted? Thanks

0 1444714 17 days ago in reply to Laurent

Well Laurent. I have no idea how to see your device under Mac. Never had an Apple device.

I hope Garmin support will help you out.

0 1444714 16 days ago in reply to 1444714

At Mat S

Will try to clarify what the files realy mean : You must absolutely LEAVE THESE ALONE (Crucial system files). Do not touch the following files: gmapbmap.img: This is the base world map. Without this file, your Edge Explore 2 will no longer start up correctly. D472816A.img, D4713090A.img, etc.: These are the so-called elevation profile (DEM) and address search (Geocode) files. They are essential for your device's basic functions. D6185160A.img: This is the exact, official technical filename for the brand-new TopoActive Europe West 2025.10 cycling map. This file contains all current roads, cycle paths, and streets. D6185160A.gma: This is the corresponding digital key/certificate file. This file proves to your Garmin Edge Explore 2 that the map is official and authorized for unlocking. You need to DELETE these (the culprits). Delete the following files to instantly free up gigabytes of space: gmapprom.img (both version 1 and version 2, as well as any .gma or .unl files sharing the exact name 'gmapprom'). These are your old Cycle Maps from 2021. D6185160A.img and D6185160A.gma. These are the result of a failed component of the new update. Delete these as well so that Garmin Express can start with a clean slate.

0 Matt S 16 days ago in reply to 1444714

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain.

0 1444714 16 days ago in reply to Matt S

Your welcom. Hope I could help you out.!

0 Laurent 7 days ago in reply to 1444714

I found a PC and was able to delete the culprits files and then update the map.

Thanks a lot!

0 1444714 7 days ago in reply to Laurent

Glad to know that it worked for you too.

0 9647154 7 days ago in reply to 1444714

In the US. 30.23. Getting the basemap load error, so no basemap, and TopoActive North America East won't load. Deleted all courses and data, nothing added from the store. Tried a factory reset, no help. So frustrating.

I can still load a course and it'll navigate, but no map displays--just the course.

Aaarrgghh.