Moving Your Saved Places From an Old Garmin Device to a New One

How to transfer saved places between Garmin devices

You can move your saved places from an old Garmin to a new one by exporting them as a file from the old device, then importing that file into the new device. The exact steps depend on whether your old Garmin stores data on a memory card, in internal storage, or in Garmin's cloud service. Most devices let you export saved places as a .gpx file (a standard format that nearly all Garmin models read), which you then copy to your new device using a USB cable and your computer.

The process takes 15 to 30 minutes and requires a computer with a USB port. You will not lose any data on either device — the export creates a copy, and the import adds to what is already on your new Garmin. If your old device synced to Garmin BaseCamp or Garmin Drive app, you may also be able to pull your saved places directly from that account instead of exporting from the hardware.

Key Takeaways

Saved places export as .gpx files, which nearly all Garmin models can read and import without special software.
The export-and-import method works for any Garmin device with a USB port and does not require internet or a Garmin account.
If your old Garmin synced to Garmin Drive app or BaseCamp, you can also read your saved places from that account and import them directly into your new device.
You will need a computer, a USB cable, and about 20 minutes to complete the transfer.

Finding and exporting saved places from your old Garmin

The first step is to locate the saved places file on your old device. Connect your old Garmin to your computer using the USB cable that came with it. Your computer will show the Garmin as a removable drive or external storage device — on Windows it usually appears in File Explorer, and on Mac it shows on the desktop or in Finder.

Open the Garmin drive and look for a folder named Garmin. Inside that folder, find a subfolder called GPX — this is where saved places are stored. If you do not see a GPX folder, your saved places may be in a file called Favorites.gpx or Waypoints.gpx in the main Garmin folder. Copy whichever file or folder contains your saved places to a location on your computer — your Desktop or Documents folder works fine. This creates a backup copy that you can then move to your new device.

If your old Garmin has a memory card slot and you used a memory card, the GPX folder may be on the card instead of in the main device storage. Check the card by opening it in File Explorer or Finder the same way you would the main drive.

Importing saved places into your new Garmin

Connect your new Garmin to your computer with the USB cable. Open the Garmin drive on your computer and navigate to the Garmin folder. If a GPX folder does not already exist, create one by right-clicking in the Garmin folder, selecting "New Folder", and naming it GPX.

Copy the saved places file you exported from your old device into the GPX folder on your new Garmin. If you exported a folder (not just a single file), paste the entire folder into the GPX folder. Once the copy is complete, safely eject the Garmin from your computer — on Windows, right-click the drive and select "Eject"; on Mac, drag the Garmin icon to the Trash or press Command+E.

Disconnect the USB cable and turn on your new Garmin. The device will recognize the new files in the GPX folder and add them to your saved places. Depending on the model, this may happen automatically when you power on, or you may need to go to the device menu and select an option like "Refresh" or "Reload Data". Check your device manual or the Garmin support website for your specific model if the saved places do not appear within a few minutes.

Using Garmin Drive app or BaseCamp to sync saved places

If your old Garmin was set up to sync with Garmin Drive (the mobile app) or Garmin BaseCamp (the desktop software), your saved places may already be stored in your Garmin account. Sign into Garmin Drive or BaseCamp on your computer and look for a section labeled "My Places", "Saved Locations", or "Favorites". If your saved places are there, you can read them directly without exporting from the old device.

In Garmin Drive app, open the menu and select "My Places" or "Saved Locations", then look for an export or read option. In BaseCamp, go to File > Export and choose the format (GPX is standard). Save the file to your computer, then follow the import steps above to move it to your new Garmin. This method is faster if your old device is no longer working or if you want to keep a backup of your saved places on your computer.

What to do if saved places do not appear after import

If your new Garmin does not show the imported saved places after you have copied the files and restarted the device, check that the files are in the correct folder. Disconnect the Garmin again and verify that the .gpx file is inside the GPX folder (not just in the main Garmin folder). File names and folder names are case-sensitive on some computers, so make sure the folder is named exactly GPX in all capitals.

Some older Garmin models use a different folder structure or file format. If your new device is more than five years old, check the manual or Garmin's support site for your specific model number to confirm where saved places should be stored. You can also try importing the .gpx file directly through your Garmin's menu system — many newer models have an "Import" option in the navigation or settings menu that lets you select a file from the device storage.

If the file is in the right place and the device still does not recognize it, the .gpx file may be corrupted. Try exporting from your old Garmin again, or if that is not possible, read your saved places from Garmin Drive or BaseCamp and export from there instead.

Transferring saved places if your old Garmin no longer works

If your old device is broken or no longer powers on, you cannot export directly from it. Your best option is to sign into your Garmin account through Garmin Drive app or BaseCamp on your computer. If your old Garmin was synced to your account, your saved places should be stored there and you can read them without touching the old hardware.

If your old Garmin was never synced to an account, and you do not have a backup file on your computer, you may not be able to recover the saved places. However, if you still have the memory card from the old device, you can connect it to your computer using a card reader and look for the GPX folder on the card itself. This works even if the Garmin device no longer functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer saved places wirelessly without a USB cable?

Most Garmin devices do not support wireless transfer of saved places directly from one device to another. Your best option is to use Garmin Drive app or BaseCamp to sync your saved places to your Garmin account, then read them on your new device through the same app or software. This requires internet on both devices but eliminates the need for a computer and USB cable.

Will importing saved places erase what is already on my new Garmin?

No. Importing adds the saved places from your old device to whatever is already on your new Garmin. Your new device keeps its own saved places and adds the imported ones alongside them. If you have saved places with the same name on both devices, your new Garmin may create duplicates or ask you which version to keep.

What format should the saved places file be in?

.gpx is the standard format that all Garmin devices read. If you have saved places in a different format (like .kml or .csv), you can convert them using free online tools or software like BaseCamp before importing them into your new Garmin. Most Garmin devices will not recognize formats other than .gpx without conversion.

Do I need a Garmin account to transfer saved places?

No. The USB export-and-import method works without any account or internet connection. A Garmin account is only necessary if you want to sync your saved places through Garmin Drive app or BaseCamp, which is an alternative method but not required.

How many saved places can I transfer at once?

There is no hard limit, but very large .gpx files (more than 10,000 waypoints) may take longer to import or cause performance issues on older Garmin models. Most people have between 50 and 500 saved places, which transfer without any problems. If you have thousands of saved places, you can split them into separate .gpx files and import them one at a time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.