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Loading the New Software on a Memory Card Using Garmin Express

You can copy the software update to a memory card using a computer with the Garmin Express™ app.

The internal card readers on GPSMAP® 8400 and 8600 series chartplotters support up to 32 GB memory cards, formatted to FAT32 with speed class 4 or higher1. Use of an 8 GB or larger memory card with speed class 10 is recommended. As of software version 34.00, the internal card readers on GPSMAP 9000 series chartplotters support up to 1 TB memory cards, formatted to exFAT with speed class 10 or higher.

Downloading the software update may take from a few minutes up to a few hours.

You should use a blank memory card for software updates. The update process erases the content on the card and reformats the card.

  1. Insert a memory card into the card slot on the computer.
  2. Install the Garmin Express app (Installing the Garmin Express App on a Computer).
  3. Select your vessel and device.
  4. Select Software Updates > Continue.
  5. Read and agree to the terms.
  6. Select the drive for the memory card.
  7. Review the reformat warning, and select Continue.
  8. Wait while the software update is copied to the memory card.
    NOTE: Copying the update file onto the card may take from a few minutes up to a few hours.
  9. Close the Garmin Express app.
  10. Eject the memory card from the computer.

After loading the update onto the memory card, install the software on the chartplotter (Updating the Device Software Using a Memory Card).

1 As of software version 34.00, you can connect an external USB card reader to a GPSMAP 8400 and 8600 series chartplotter and use a memory card up to 1 TB, formatted to exFAT with speed class 10 or higher.
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September 2024
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