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Please add USB Mass Storage option on FR945!

On FR945 USB mode can be set to MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) and Garmin protocol. Older models (like FR935) had the "Mass Storage" option.

Please garmin, would it be possible to add "Mass Storage" as an additional option besides MTP and Garmin?

MTP is hard to use on MacOS, there are workarounds but overall it is not supported and pretty slow. I know it is convenient on Windows and I know that Garmin Connect can be used to add Music through MTP.

Plenty of users were using the Mass Storage mode to back up activity files and settings also it is an essential help for troubleshooting.

Garmin support does instruct us several cases to check / remove / add files (updates) by hand in case of an issue - to prevent sending the device back to Garmin if possible. I believe removing this alternative will increase the amount of cases when devices will be sent back for service.

Mass Storage also seems superior over MTP in terms of speed - at least on MacOS.

Garmin Connect on MacOS is unable to open large music libraries in acceptable times. Instead we transfer music with Android File Transfer tool via MTP.

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0 jim_m_58 over 4 years ago

This is really an Apple problem and not a Garmin Problem. Apple refuses to support any media player but their own. That's why AFT came about - for things like Android phones and non-apple MP3 players.

Contact Apple.

0 Andras over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

not really. actually the other way around. while mass storage is a universal protocol MTP is a Windows specific one. check it out. also MTP is designed for media transfer and accessing the full filesystem over MTP is a workaround.

I just can't tolerate these Apple vs MS vs Android discussions, everyone shall be able to use what's best suits him/her. And manufacturers like Garmin shall support either the universal protocols or ALL the specific ones.

Therefore contacting Garmin.

0 jim_m_58 over 4 years ago in reply to Andras

I think mass store has been requested on every Garmin meda device since the 645m came out over a year a ago, so I really doubt things will change, and it may offer things needed for DRM and the music. GE and basecamp have been made to work with MTP on an apple box.

Apple is the odd one out, as MTP works on Windows and linux.

0 nmyeti over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

MTP is also file level which handles plugging and unplugging without corruption better.

0 lindajm22 over 4 years ago

Yea, this was a bit of a letdown. I have a MacBook Pro and was surprised to learn I don't have this option anymore. I have a Windows computer at work but it's locked down to personal stuff.

So this means I won't have the ability to sideload any beta releases now. Grrr!!

0 jim_m_58 over 4 years ago in reply to lindajm22

You can still do betas if you use ATP. This is the same with the 645m/f5+/etc.

0 lindajm22 over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

Good to know, thanks! I do not know what that is. Off to the 645 forum to figure it out.

0 jim_m_58 over 4 years ago in reply to lindajm22

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

I keep messing up the acronym!

0 Former Member over 4 years ago

Andras said:
Plenty of users were using the Mass Storage mode to back up activity files and settings also it is an essential help for troubleshooting.

PC user

yep, all my tools went down the drain

had to setup a backup with help of Free File Sync and option versioning.

0 jim_m_58 over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

MTP Drive is also being used by folks on windows