Garmin GPS systems are great if you don’t know how to find your way to an address but their maps often get outdated in a few years as new infrastructure is developed in your city.
Find the $99 update somewhat of a pinch? Here is a solution for you!
Using this guide you will be able to update your Garmin GPS system to the latest (2011) map data for North America, all you need is a little bit of patience and careful reading.
Garmin Map Update guide for 2012 maps is NOW OUT.
What will you need?
- Garmin City Navigator 2011.30 (torrent) (Method 1) OR 2011.40 Unlocked IMG File (torrent) (Method 2)
- A file archiver/extractor like 7-Zip
- Garmin MapSource v6.15.7 & MapInstall v3.13.2
- Garmin Unlocker (available here)
- A GPS device plugged into your PC
Method 1 (Mapsource Install Instructions)
1) Run the setup file named “CNNANT2011_10Update.msi” in your downloaded city navigator files.
2) Install the Garmin Mapsource software on your computer.
Note: Patch your Mapsource file at this point:
- Navigate to your garmin installation directory (C:/Garmin/)
- Locate the Mapsource.exe file and rename it to MapsourceOLD.exe
- Download this replacement file (mirror), extract the contents and put it in the (C:) directory
Also, remove “mapinstall.exe” from the Garmin folder after installing & patching mapsource and run the installation of mapinstall v3.13.2 provided in the guide.
3) Once the software in step 1 and 2 are installed, run the program named Mapsource from Start > All Programs > Garmin. Mapsource will show you a prompt upon launching it asking to unlock the maps, close this prompt window using the red X on the top right corner.
4) Now click on Utilities > Get Unit ID from the menu bar. The program will take a second and display your device’s unit ID (make sure your GPS is plugged into your computer to get this). Copy this unit # number and write it down elsewhere as a safe measure. Once you have the number written down, close this window.
5) Leave Mapsource running (minimize it) and open the Garmin unlocker you downloaded from the link provided before. Put the Unit ID code you wrote down in step 4 in the top most box of the Garmin unlocker thats says “Enter your Unit ID here”.
6) Next, in the ‘Select Map Product‘ field select the last option of ‘custom maps’and enter 2283 when prompted and hit OK.
7) Now click on the Generate button located on the bottom of the window next to the Exit button. This will give you the unlock code, copy this code and keep it somewhere accessible. You can exit out of the unlocker now, its work is done.
8 ) Go back to the Mapsource window and from the Utilities menu and select Manage Map Products. Now click the ‘Unlock Regions’ Tab and press the ‘Add’ button. Paste the code you got in step 7 into the ‘Add Unlock Region’ dialog box’s first field, the second field is optional. Hit OK and you have unlocked the map product.
Now you can close Mapsource.
Note: Before moving forward, navigate to the Garmin folder on your device. An icon for your device will be under My Computer. In the Garmin folder you will find a file named “gmapprom”. Backup this file and then delete it from the Garmin device. If you cannot find the exact same file name, look for the biggest file in that folder (it can be anywhere from 500 MB – 1GB).
Now launch MapInstall from Programs > Garmin
9) Mapinstall will ask you for the regions on the map you want to install, choose your desired regions, hit next and then press Finish.
Depending on the amount of map data you choose to put on, the maps will transfer to your device between 30 mins – 1 hour. Once completed you will have the new 2011 maps on your GPS system, you can also check the maps version on your device via Settings > Maps > Map Info.
Method 2 (Unlocked IMG Instructions)
Use either Part A or Part B depending on your choice:
Part A – Internal Memory
1. Connect your device to the computer.
2. Go into the Nuvi files and backup the file named “gmapprom.img” to your computer.
3. Delete the “gmapprom.img” file from the device.
4. Copy the unlocked “gmapprom.img” file that you downloaded into the device. If the downloaded file is named something else, rename it to “gmapprom.img” and then put it on your device’s internal memory.
5. Restart your device and check your map info via : Tools>Settings>Map>Map Info.
Part B – SD Card
1. Get a 2GB SD card (NOT SDHC) and format it FAT or FAT32
2. Create a folder on the memory card called “Garmin”
3. Copy the downloaded IMG file into the Garmin folder on your SD card.
4. Make sure the IMG file is named “gmapsupp.img” on the SD card.
5. Insert the SD card into your Garmin GPS, and browse to your map information on your Garmin GPS and you should see the new maps selected. This can be found on the device via : Tools>Settings>Map>Map Info. (Note: The SD card must remain in your device if you want to use the maps.)
Why is the file name important?
This must be done because this is not the primary mapset as it is being used from the SD card. The primary mapset is the one on the GPS’s internal memory.
3D Map & Junction Files (Only works on devices that support this feature)
The 2011.30 3D Map and Junction Data can be found here (3D | JCV)
Simply drop that file onto your device memory or external memory and your data should be loaded.
Enjoy the savings!
By labrat, January 29, 2011 at 1:03 am
Thanks Jimbo for your contribution. Your post should help out our European map users.
By wonder, January 30, 2011 at 1:28 am
Hi Labrat, I’m wondering if you found out a way to delete the maps of off one of the newer gps’s. You can’t access it in My Computer. Garmin has it hidden somehow. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
By Al, June 13, 2011 at 12:38 am
I have a Nuvi 1490T and when I tried to find the maps, they are hidden just like you said. I am using windows 7 and all I had to do was type “map” into the search box and then all of the hidden files were there. I am not sure they are hidden, but I couldn’t find them without doing the search. I hope this helps!!!
By Al, June 13, 2011 at 12:47 am
CORRECTION!!!
You have to search for “gmap” instead of map to find the hidden maps. If you search for “map” it finds way to many, but if you search for bmap it only finds the ones you need.
By JDP, January 30, 2011 at 10:16 pm
i downloaded the unlocked IMG and used the method 2 … i copied the IMG file into the SD card and renamed it as “gmapsupp.img”….. after inserting it in the gps and restarting it .. the maps nt shown at all.
it has no maps…can help me !!
thanks in advance!!
By wonder, January 31, 2011 at 1:20 am
[Comment ID #103454 Will Be Quoted Here]
Hi JDP, Sometimes it works to format the card.
Insert it in your gps.
Plug in your gps to the comp.
Open the card in my computer ( make sure you have the card in the gps)
Create a new folder and call it Garmin.
Copy the unlocked IMG file into that folder then rename it.
If it doesn’t show up after that then make sure that the one on your gps isn’t called gmappsupp.img.
Hope it works
By d, January 31, 2011 at 2:01 am
FYI, for those with a Garmin Nuvi 360:
* Method 2a) does not work
* torrent download loads fine onto GPS, however, when viewing the map, it shows only the vehicle, route and some landmarks
* problem: no map
By tHeSiD, January 31, 2011 at 2:08 am
I tried using the Mapsource and Mapinstall, but I still got the “Unable to unlock maps” on the gps.
However I downloaded the unlocked IMG file and It worked great. I am not sure if all the data is in that map file, but I was able to navigate to the far corners of mexico and canada
Also, the previous maps didnt have all the new addresses but this one does. So I am satisfied with it!.
Thank you!
By wonder, February 7, 2011 at 9:11 am
Hi Labrat, I’m wondering if you found out a way to delete the maps of off one of the newer gps’s. You can’t access it in My Computer. Garmin has it hidden somehow. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
By Al, March 17, 2011 at 7:27 pm
I did this with Method 2 and it was really easy except for one problem. I have a 260W and the map file (gmapprom) was to big to fit on the GPS. I didn’t know what to do so I deleted some of the cars since I only use one anyway. I needed a lot more room than that so I thought I would try backing up and then deleting the gmapbmap file. Figured that probably wouldn’t work but I needed to do something. To my surprise it is working. I haven’t used it a lot but so far so good. Does anyone know what that file is and if I will eventually miss it. If I do have to restore that file, what is the other option to put the updated map on the GPS?
By Steve W., March 18, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Put the maps on an SD card.
BTW – little activity. NA2011.40 is out. Has the group moved elsewhere?
By Al Heiman, March 19, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Never thought of that. I don’t use the SD card at all so I just totally forgot about it. How come it is working now though without the gmapbmap? Don’t really want to mess with it, if it doesn’t need that to run.
By labrat, March 22, 2011 at 11:33 pm
[Comment ID #103470 Will Be Quoted Here]
We have not moved and will not abandon our supporters. We always like to thoroughly test the files before posting them. The 2011.40 unlocked IMG torrent has been added to the guide. This one just contains minor changes.
By Jim L, March 24, 2011 at 11:51 am
Went with Method 2, Part B and got the unlocked IMG file and the 3D map and Junction files (my 755T supports 3D). Thanks for great instructions!
Using a 2Gb SD card which came formatted FAT, I renamed IMG file and put in Garmin folder on SD card. I also copied the two other files (CNNANT_201130_3D.rar and JCV201130.rar) into the same directory on card. Now when I check the map version, it shows the supplementary 2011 map as well as the 2010 it came with, and the 2010 3D map, but not the 2011 3D. Is there something else I need to do? Rename? Move to root directory?
By labrat, March 24, 2011 at 2:29 pm
3D map files need to be in the “Garmin” directory or the .System hidden directory for newer devices. If you are having trouble with it being read on the device, try removing the 2010 map files from the device memory.
By Jim L, March 24, 2011 at 5:20 pm
I believe I just answered most of my earlier question. Didn’t realize RAR files were compressed. New compression format to me. Now unpacked okay.
Since there wa plenty of space on internal memory for larger replacement files, I went back and did Part A. Put both the main and 3D IMG files in the Garmin directory where the old ones were. Now the version shows 2011 for both main and 3D.
Last question: The new junction file has a different name from the old one: New is D23390A.jcv vs. old D1279020A.jcv. Should I add new file alongside old file in JCV directory, or replace one file with another? Also, there is a tiny .SUM file for the old JCV file, with same file name. Do I need anything else for the new file? How can I tell if it’s accessing the new file, or rather, how would I know if it couldn’t?
Thanks, and sorry about earlier confusion on my part.
By Newfie Chick, April 4, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Thanks for the update
NC
By quebec001, April 5, 2011 at 11:30 pm
why 2011.40 by mapsource is not here
thanks for your site
By quebec001, April 5, 2011 at 11:32 pm
SO, SD4g SDHC work well for all NUVI
By Michael, April 6, 2011 at 10:22 am
Labrat much thanks for changing the files to torrents…..
I posted the 2010 files as torrents because i was depressed by the files downloading @ 35 or 40k when i had a 27 meg ability.
the torrents are a much welcomed addition.
I clicked a few of the ads just for you!
By labrat, April 6, 2011 at 8:32 pm
No problem Michael. Glad you like the change, torrents seem to work better for everyone. We also appreciate the ad clicking
Will keep us going!
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By Carlos Lugo, April 6, 2011 at 11:20 pm
I used method 1 took a bit to figure out but i did get it working. Unlocked the map and installed the US Canda and mexico on my Garmin.
By Jenjoh, April 7, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Have someone out there experience with Garmin Mobile PC and updating maps ? Keen to know if updates can be installed, and if other regions can be added.
Accorrding to Garmin are this product ( Garmin Mobile PC ) discontinued and, other regions can not be added…
Do anyone have some experience ………..?
J.
By Michael, April 7, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Labrat what do you know of changing firmware on nuvi 265w to make junction view work? other sites show it as working for singapore/malaysia only. is there any way for it to work for the U.S.?
By D, April 7, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Hi
I have a nuvi 255 , downloaded maps to a micro sd card but cannot access the files. any ideas??? Is there a certain Micro SD card that I should be using.
By George, April 8, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Will this ‘update hack’ work on any Garmin? If not, could someone be so kind as to post a list of models that it does work on? I have a Nuvi 755 and was hoping it would work on mine. Thanks so much
By Fred, April 8, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Tried the step by step instruction for Method 2b. Placed the 2GB SD ram in my Nuvi 265WT and after the Tools>Settings>Map>Map Info… saw both the Internal and the SD maps checked. I am trying to figure out if I need to leave them both “checked marked” or should I only mark the one I just copied on the SD ram.. Will try it out tomorrow…
Nevertheless… labrat… you’re the best!!
By labrat, April 9, 2011 at 10:24 pm
You only need to check the newer map as the old ones are not needed. Leaving both checked is ok as well.
By cece, April 8, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Method 2b works great for garmin nuvi 200w. Also used a 8gb sdhc card with no problems. Updated to lastest firmware before using this sd card. Used the updated torrent links above and got decent download speeds. Thanks a lot! Great webpage!!!
By richemt911, April 10, 2011 at 3:02 pm
I have the GPSMAP® 62s when I did this hack EXACTLY as the directions stated, I got the “Unable to unlock maps” on the gps.. any help would be greatly appreciated
By hidrums, April 24, 2011 at 10:07 am
Thank you very much. You are awesome.
By Mr Who, April 24, 2011 at 10:15 am
HI, I do the update with method 1 because on my Nuvi 250 I had a gmapsupp.img file and not a gmapprom.img file …
All work fine, I don’t loose any favorite … gps work fine … with recent search, poi or favorite … but have a “big” trouble with search by address …
It always ask state/province … what it never do before … and what ever I try it never found anything …
I’m in Quebec City so try all Canadian province without success and I even try USA states … nothing work …
Do you have something to suggest to me ?
Thanks !
By Lost, April 26, 2011 at 11:23 am
Trying to install the 2011 updates now – am using a 4gb SDHC card. can you tell me WHY I shouldn’t be using SDHC? Cheers.
By labrat, May 2, 2011 at 1:17 pm
It is not necessary. We chose to put SD in the instructions because some old devices do not support SDHC cards. This way there is less confusion or errors.
By Lost, April 26, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Just to let you know the install is working fine. Initially I had neglected to create a folder called “garmin” on my SD card but once I did it works like a dream. Thanks a million labrat
By labrat, May 2, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Instructions updated to provide some more clarification in certain areas.
Also, individuals having issues need to read the guide carefully. We have tested this on multiple devices and everything is functional.
By Jeff, May 14, 2011 at 7:52 pm
What about directions for OSX users?
Thanks in advance
By labrat, May 17, 2011 at 1:14 am
Method 2 is the same on OSX. We are working on a guide for mac users for Method 1.
By John, May 20, 2011 at 5:48 pm
The file that downloads via the mapsource link gives me a “file corrupt” error.
The other methods work fine, including the 2012 instructions.
By neil, May 22, 2011 at 10:43 am
hi tried method 2 on my “old ” Nuvi310 on my sd card i already have a folder called Garmin and this contains gmappsupp.img on there with original maps and cannot get new updated maps to work . am i just being stupid or is my GPS so old that i need to actually buy a more modern one . Sorry for inadequecies ……..just human lol
By noreaga, May 23, 2011 at 12:20 pm
First of all, thank you so much for this. I have a N.American unit preloaded with N.American maps, and I’m trying to get European maps on there. Is there a way to install the Euro maps while still having the North American maps ?
Thanks !
By Jerry, June 2, 2011 at 6:34 pm
The file called Garmin MapSource v6.15.7 is no longer available. How can I get it?
Thanks for your time.
By DJ, June 5, 2011 at 6:10 pm
I am trying to install MapInstall_3132.exe and it is giving me an error. ‘Previous MapInstall not found. Setup will terminate.
Any help regarding what I should do next will be greatly aprpeciated.
Thanks,
DJ
By Biker, June 6, 2011 at 3:56 am
Hi,
I tried to install with method 1. But i get the message :
An error occured during the installation assembly
‘Microsoft.VC90.CRT,version=”9.0.30729.4148”,publicKeyToken=”1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b”,
processorArchitecture=”amd64”,type=”win32”. Please refer to Help and Support for more information. HRESULT:0×80070002
Could you help me please ???
I’m using a GPSMAP276C, so I can’t try the method 2…
Thank you…
By Sean, June 7, 2011 at 11:21 pm
What advantage does this complicate procedure offer over simply torrenting “Garmin City Navigator North America NT 2011.30 Unlocked”? Doing so gives you a gmapprom.img (map file) which you can simply drag and drop onto your Garmin to replace the gmapprom.img that’s already there.
By Gautam, June 12, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Hello, I followed the procedure described above to update the above maps Method 2 – Part A.
I downloaded the latest img file and copied it over and restarted. It worked great for a week and now:
- If i plug in car and start it, it gets stuck at Warning screen where AGREE button is displayed. The touch screen does not respond.
- If i unplug and restart, it shows GARMIN splash and shuts down, does not even get to Warning screen.
- If i connect to computer, it never gets detected and the progress bar goes upto nearly 75% and stops.
Can you please help me?
By Al, June 13, 2011 at 12:16 am
If I update my map to the 2012 map, do I have to update the Junction view and 3D maps? If I do update these maps, wouldn’t I have to delete the old ones first? Maybe I am missing something, but I had to ask. Thanks for the maps!!!
By Al Heiman, June 13, 2011 at 12:42 am
Another question about the 3d maps. When I downloaded the unlocked map, I got all of these files with it:
D3060020A.JCV, GMAP3D, gmapbmap, gmaptz, plus the one I was expecting: gmapprom. I am assuming the 3d map is the one that is also listed as a separate download. What are all of these files, and what am I supposed to do with them??
By Al, June 13, 2011 at 1:35 am
If you can’t find the map files to backup and delete, do the following. Click on “start” then click on “run” and then copy and paste “E:\.System” into the open bar and hit enter. (make sure to take off the quotation marks) That should bring up all of the hidden files. Now you can backup gmaprom, delete it, and then replace it with the new map.
By John d, June 13, 2011 at 5:37 am
Hi i have a nuvi 660 a 4 gig sd card europe 2012 unlocked map which is 2.3 gig.I have created a garmin folder on the sd card and named the file gmapsupp.img. The unit is not seeing this file need some help please
By John Ryan, June 15, 2011 at 9:26 am
Has anyone had the “spell state/provice” problem with the 2011 euro maps? There are no states/provinces in the garmin and now I can’t go any further than this, hence, can’t search by name! Please help!!!!
By Peanut, June 20, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Hi, I have a European nuvi 250. I used method 2a. It seems to recognise the names of US location with no problems. At present I am in London, but am off to the states later this week.
The only issue is it’s still displaying old motorways based back here in the UK, are there any other files that need to be replaced in the garmin or is all the motorway/highway info stored in the “gmapprom” file?
By Lorenz0, June 24, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Hi.
Thanks for the great work!
I’m having trouble using MapSource v6.15.11, it wont unlock the map, does anybody know if its compatible with this guide??
The link for MapSource v6.15.7 is dead.
By Anthony Su, July 6, 2011 at 11:56 pm
I have a garmin nuvi 265W- I want to put on europe map just over 2gb. Does not work with 8gb sdhc card. Will it work with 4gb sdhc card, i cant find a regular sd card with 4gb.
By Jack, July 7, 2011 at 6:53 pm
I’ve tried with a formatted FAT32 SDHC 4GB Lexar card in a Garmin 265WT and my 2012 Europe maps wont show the image file either. I know its unlocked as I was able to create the mapset using Mapsource. It took over an hour to build the image but for some reason it won’t show up when Map Info is selected. You are right in that it is slightly over 2GB in size. I’ve done this a number of times in the past and have had not troubles getting an image file to show on a SD card. According to Garmins site SDHC cards should work just fine, but not this time.
It is in a Garmin folder and labeled gmapsupp.img
Any one have any ideas? Thanks
Cheers
Jack
By Al, July 11, 2011 at 11:03 pm
Copied from above:
If you can’t find the map files to backup and delete, do the following. Click on “start” then click on “run” and then copy and paste “E:\.System” into the open bar and hit enter. (make sure to take off the quotation marks) That should bring up all of the hidden files. Now you can backup gmaprom, delete it, and then replace it with the new map.
OF COURSE IF “E” ISN’T YOUR NUVI DRIVE, USE THE CORRECT LETTER OF THE DRIVE
By Jack B, July 10, 2011 at 7:21 pm
How do you find gmapprom.img? It doesn’t seem to be on the Garmin.
By Al Heiman, July 11, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Copied from above:
If you can’t find the map files to backup and delete, do the following. Click on “start” then click on “run” and then copy and paste “E:\.System” into the open bar and hit enter. (make sure to take off the quotation marks) That should bring up all of the hidden files. Now you can backup gmaprom, delete it, and then replace it with the new map.
OF COURSE IF “E” ISN’T YOUR NUVI DRIVE, USE THE CORRECT LETTER OF THE DRIVE
By Carl, July 14, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Nuvi 250 Using Method 2A, unable to transfer .img file. Shows transfer then no file. Used drag/drop and Powerdesk 6. Any suggestions on troubleshooting?
By Carl, July 17, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Found TeraCopy did the trick.
By pt, July 31, 2011 at 12:22 am
can someone plz help me with this im trying to use method 1 part a. i followed the instructions but once i send the maps to device its sayin unable to unlock maps. what did i do wrong?
By john, August 1, 2011 at 11:31 pm
I’m trying method 2a on a mac. I have a nuvi 255w. I have deleted the gmapprom.img and tried to bring in the new .img file, but it says there’s not enough room. I have put the file in the trash, but it wont let me delete it and it only shows up when my gps is connected to the computer. Whenever I try to delete the file from the trash, it freezes. Any suggestions to free up the space to put the new file on?!??! Thanks!!
By rooker, August 2, 2011 at 11:19 pm
has anybody tryed this with the kenwood indash dnx 6140 or a dnx 5140 unit it has a mini usb port in back for updating