How to Delete Maps From Garmin GPS

By Fred Decker

Mobile tracking devices use GSM and GPS technologies.
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Garmin's GPS devices can be updated and customized regularly with additional maps, providing higher levels of detail for geocaching and vacation planning or simply adding new geographic areas. Over time, these additional maps can take up a significant percentage of your device's available storage space. Freeing up that space by deleting your supplemental maps can restore your ability to add new data, and it's both quick and easy to do.

Step 1

Connect your GPS device to your computer with the supplied USB cable. Click on the Start menu and then choose "Computer."

Step 2

Look for your GPS device among the installed drives. It will usually be named Garmin or nuvi. Right-click on the icon for your device, and choose "Open" or "Explore." On most models, there will be a folder labeled Maps. On some zumo devices, the nuvi 5000 series and nuvis with a three-digit model number, the folder will be labeled Garmin.

Step 3

Double-click the Maps or Garmin folder to see the contents. Files with the .img extension are maps. The file called gmapbmap.img is the standard set of maps that came with your GPS and should not be deleted. Most supplemental maps will be called gmapsupp.img, although your unit may contain others with specific filenames ending in the .img extension.

Step 4

Select and delete your supplemental map files. When you're finished, unplug your GPS or proceed to install new maps from Garmin or a third-party source.

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