M4 Mac Mini and Garmin Base Camp doesn't show garmin device

Question

Level 1

4 points

M4 Mac Mini and Garmin Base Camp doesn't show garmin device

I am trying to move my Garmin capabilities from my Windoze to Mac Mini. I have my device connected to Mac Mini via its USB cable to a mini via USB-A to USB-C adapter and the device powers on and goes into USB transfer mode. Garmin Express does detect the device and allows me to manage its software and maps. However Garmin Base Camp does not show a device at all as well as the device does not show up in Finder. My understanding it should. What do I do? I have no desire to stay on my Windoze but this will force me to.

Mac mini, macOS 15.3

Posted on Feb 14, 2025 11:06 AM

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Answer 1

dhwalt

Level 1

24 points

Feb 16, 2025 1:21 AM in response to smithhj

To quote, "typical of weird product companies" sums up Garmin. That said the XT and Basecamp on a Mac do work.

Make sure Garmin Express is v.7.23.0.0 - avoid the most recent 7.24.0.0 for the moment.

Garmin Express>Settings>Preferences then untick both running options.

Close Express and check that it has gone from the Dock before doing anything with Basecamp.

If unsure then restart Mac.

Basecamp 'works' but has not been supported on Windows or MacOS for several years.

To complicate matters, on both OSs, the latest Express 7.24.0.0 transfers mapping to Garmin device but NOT to Basecamp.

Connect the XT then start Basecamp, a short delay and all should be well!

This may not be what you want to hear but Garmin prefer you use to use Tread software with a cell phone. For the moment I am staying with Basecamp on my M4 Mini but am preparing for a forced swap to MRA- MyRoute.

Dave

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Answer 2

dhwalt

Level 1

24 points

Feb 15, 2025 12:21 AM in response to smithhj

I am using an M4 Mini - USB C to USB C - Garmin Zumo XT2 and am able to see installed maps on M4 Mini and XT2 using Basecamp. If you are coming from Windows then you will need to use AFT (Android File Transfer) to view the file system and maybe transfer/delete files. I recommend a visit to Zumo User Forums to read up on how all this works, Zumo with a Mac. As a 1st move you may need to try a few different adapters. You don't say which Garmin device and that is a determining factor. USB-A means the supplied Garmin cable? If your device is USB C then a C to C cable is OK. Garmin software can be problematic and Basecamp is no longer supported!

Dave

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Answer 3

smithhj Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 15, 2025 1:03 PM in response to dhwalt

Dave, my Garmin Zumo XT did not come with a USB C terminating cable to the computer. Garmin uses this old style printer connector on the XT (like its other devices, why they hadn't by the Zumo XT gone to a USB C port on the Zumo XT to USB C on computer is a pretty big mystery to me but typical of weird product companies like Garmin) to a USB A cable. Well, as I said I have the USB A to USB C adapter as well as working port replicator that I can plug into one of the USB C ports on the mini. When I got the up to date Garmin Express software and installed it on the Mini, I can in fact see the map software on the XT as well as on the mini and BaseCamp sees the map software that was installed via Garmin Express due to the XT supporting the unlimited map software because the map was unlocked. But now you say that Base Camp no longer supported, huh? Exactly how is one to plan a detailed trip (my friends and I go on complicated motorcycle trips... we recently went from California up to northwest Montana, then into Canada thru Banff and Jaspar parks, then west to Stewart BC (and Alaska), then to Prince Rupert, then BC ferry to Vancouver Island and down to Victoria, and then back into US and eventually back down to California). Exactly how is one to plan a trip route with Base Camp is beyond me.

I believe the big problem with the Zumo XT and Apple is that in order for Base Camp to transfer trip plan to/from the XT is that it has to show up as a mounted volume. Which doesn't happen. So why Garmin Express on Mini only needs to have the XT connect to the mini somehow and it can manage the maps and software of the XT but Base Camp cannot detect or see the XT is a problem with ? I think it is a combo of Mac software and the XT USB mountable volume software.

But what would i know.

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Answer 4

wdcarter

Level 1

15 points

Mar 25, 2025 2:54 PM in response to dhwalt

dhwalt wrote:

To quote, "typical of weird product companies" sums up Garmin. That said the XT and Basecamp on a Mac do work.

Make sure Garmin Express is v.7.23.0.0 - avoid the most recent 7.24.0.0 for the moment.

Garmin Express>Settings>Preferences then untick both running options.

Close Express and check that it has gone from the Dock before doing anything with Basecamp.

If unsure then restart Mac.

Basecamp 'works' but has not been supported on Windows or MacOS for several years.

To complicate matters, on both OSs, the latest Express 7.24.0.0 transfers mapping to Garmin device but NOT to Basecamp.

Connect the XT then start Basecamp, a short delay and all should be well!

This may not be what you want to hear but Garmin prefer you use to use Tread software with a cell phone. For the moment I am staying with Basecamp on my M4 Mini but am preparing for a forced swap to MRA- MyRoute.

Dave

Unchecking the running options was key to getting this to work for me. Thank you!!

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M4 Mac Mini and Garmin Base Camp doesn't show garmin device