If you have recently purchased a Garmin Nuvi with LMT or LM extension (for example Garmin Nuvi 1450 LM, Nuvi 1300 LM, Nuvi 2595lmt, etc) it means that you can benefit from free lifetime map updates (the life of the device of course, or better yet the average usage duration of a Garmin Nuvi). Well now that we know we can take advantage of free maps for our satnav, what are the steps we should take to get them?
Let’s see below how easy we can get the latest free updates for Garmin Nuvi devices with Life Time Maps:
Step 1:
Turn on your PC (or laptop) and access your favorite web-browser. Then access the following link : Garmin official site
It will open a new tab where you can download Garmin Express , a little app that will deal with your Satnav’s updates. While the program is downloading connect the Garmin Nuvi GPS unit to the computer with the supplied cable . If you don’t have the cable at hand you can enter the serialnumber of the device in the box above the “enter your serial number” text on the same website above.
Another alternative where you can create an account and register your personal Nuvi GPS unit is: Garmin registration Here, in addition to the free map updates, you can also access and purchase other services (vehicles, voices, safety camera updates and more).
Step 2:
After downloading the Garmin Express (and having Nuvi unit connected to the PC ) install it in your computer. After installation the program will automatically detect the connected satnav and will access the free available updates for it (of course you need to have an Internet connection). Depending on the model, the program will detect updates for the software of the device as well as free updates for maps.
Step 3:
Now click the “Install all” orange button and the program will begin working. It will firstly update the navigation software of the Garmin Nuvi device and then it will proceed with the download of the latest available maps storing them in your computer temporary . The download process of the maps may take 2-3 hours depending on your Internet speed, the availability of the server and the size of the downloaded files.
Step 4:
After the new maps are fully downloaded, they will be copied in the memory of the Garmin Nuvi GPS device, which will take approximately 10-15 minutes. After copying the maps you will receive a confirmation message from the Garmin Express program: “All updates were successfully completed” and also “Your maps are up to date”.
With this we conclude the free updates for Garmin Nuvi regardless of the model. In the same app previously installed (Garmin Express), by pressing the Device button we can see the storage memory and how much of it has been taken by the new maps as well as the available space. You can also delete or change the sets of maps or you can make a backup of your navigation unit in your computer which is an extremely useful function.
Step 5:
Exit the Garmin Express app and disconnect the Garmin Nuvi GPS unit from the PC (for extra precautions use the Safely Remove Device from Windows).
After disconnecting it, the device will reset and a LOADING message will appear on the screen which means that the new software and the update maps are loading in its memory. This process will take a couple of minutes and afterwards the regular menu of the device will load.
By tapping on Settings/ Manage Maps you can check if the new maps have been properly installed (check the coding of the Maps vs. what you saw in Garmin Express –ex 2014.40).
It might take some time until it acquires satellites for the first time after the update but don’t worry, after the initial adjustment there won’t be any problems.
This is everything you need to know and it isn’t very difficult. Basically, we can update maps on the Garmin Nuvi with Lifetime Maps easy without needing to have advanced knowledge of a computer, but simply by following some simple installation, connection, download and copy operations. Good luck!
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I
I bought life time maps in December
for $39.99. I have not received it.yet.
Please get back to me asap.
i have an old garmin nuvi 250w . it is about seven years old i want o update the maps on it . is it possible to do so . if so where do i find the down loads .
Regards .
bruce
You can update to the latest maps buy installing City Navigator 2015. You won’t be able to calculate long routes because of the low memory on your device, so you will split long routes. What map zone do you need ( continent ) ?
My Garmin nuvi 1300t is several years old, and keeps asking for a Map update. I thought I’d give it a try.
The operating system that existed when I bought my Garmin have been superceded. So now I need to spend a couple -of-hundred dollars to update My PC OS, which can’t be done so I need a new computer. I notice the maps are not inexpensive. I could buy a LIFETIME Map update package, but it will not be compatible with my PC in a couple of years. Does this actually make sense to you? I am getting tired of trying.
Download Garmin Express wich works with Windows Vista and newer. You can update your Garmin 1300t with it.
What OS is installed on your PC ?
Can I buy maps of Europe from Garmin or elsewhere and install on my Garmin nuvi 1370T?
Yes you can update maps trough Garmin website.
Do you have maps in manila, philippines
Do you have maps for the philippines
I looking at buying a Garmin 2595LM from ebay but it only has maps of Europe. Will I be able to remove these maps and install maps of North America?
Yes, you can.
Hello:
I have a Gramin Nuiivi 1490. I do not have the Southern States of the US. Can I get them? If so How?
Thank you…
This is the map ?
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/maps/on-the-road-maps/city-navigator-nt/city-navigator-sup-sup-south-america-nt/prod98712.html
I buy garmin nuvi 4592LM. I would like europe map.How can I get it? Thank you.
If you go to openstreetmaps web site you can down load up to date maps for free!
You have to down load a couple of programs but its not too difficult.
I have an old Garmin nuvi 1300. I bought it 7 yrs ago. where do I go and update this???
A month ago a friend received a garmin nuvi 255 as a gift which he now wishes to sell as he already has a gps in his car. He says it is brand new unused. We are in France and it has UK and Europe maps on it.
He is selling it for 45 euros.
I am thinking of purchasing.
But this is what I dont understand. He says it has free lifetime maps but I am confused by this as when I googled this model it says that the 255 does not come with free lifetime maps as far as I understand and is a 2008 model. If that is the case then how can it be still for sale as a new model on sites like amazon uk or amazon france? I am totally confused now as does this mean that the maps would be from 2008 or current maybe 2015 maps? Is it possible that this model has free lifetime maps on it? Can I update the maps on it? Please help and thank you so much!
what a waste of time garmin express needed my pass word 4 times then ran for over an hour with a screen sign saying process will take a minute then still wont finish loading for a garmin 1450 & wants to charge me $99 FOR THE DOWN LOAD THAT IS STILL RUNNING
& a new unit is only $ 118 with life time down loads
I bought my Garmin Nuvi 1300 in 2009 and waited until now to update the maps. The Nuvi got stuck repeatedly on “Updating Maps”, with the green bar going across. It went through the cycle 15 or more times. I called customer support, who said that the USB cable may be defective, which I don’t believe, or else there may be a PC problem, which I don’t believe either. I was on the phone for a half hour. The CSR offered a small discount on a new unit. I gave up and asked for a refund of what I paid for my map update. He agreed.
i have updated my Nuvi 2595 in past years with no problems. However this time it is telling me I do not have enough space and to pick an area to install fully but it Garmin express will not let me enter anything. Its stuck on installing with 8 mins to go. What should I do? I have cleared the travel history and restored. but still its still stuck.
Can I unplug and start again
You will need to call Garmin tech support on this.
1 (913) 397-8200
I am very grateful for this enlightening article. I am new to this issue, but for me it elucidated several questions. Congratulations on your knowledge on the subject. Thank you very much.
Downloaded the Garmin Express & connected my Garmin to my PC. The Garmin turns on and shows the “connected” icon, but the message on my computer screen reads “searching for device”, regardless of which USB port I try.