Is there a magic way of connecting the XT to my laptop?

[owl*]

I'm writing after sheer frustration.
All I want to do is connect my XT to my MacBook Pro, but all I get on Garmin Express is "Not Connected"
I bought a new cable from Garmin. No difference.
I've tried every combination of opening GE first, then plugging in the XT, plugging in the XT first, then opening GE, sneaking up on it when it's not looking etc etc.
I never had any such problems with other Zumo devices, going back over 20 years. How the hell can it be so difficult?

[casbar]

The XT uses Android software, so a Mac will not recognise it as a drive.

Here is an explanation from another forum, so not my words

The XT uses an MTP data transfer protocol. In english: it is not designed to be mounted as a volume.

The new GoPros have a similar behaviour.

You are essentially forced to go through their software.

MacOs has limited MTP functionality "as is" (essentially the Image Capture utility). But you can still go through the content on your XT using file transfer apps. Some people use Android File Transfer. I suggest against it - it is intended for software developers and auto-starts without asking permissions and hijacks Android devices.
I bought a license of CommanderOne that I use, when needed, to go and roam inside the XT's internal memory
The only way to do it, is to use some third party software, such as ConnectOne.

[owl*]

Thanks for your reply.

So, that's something Garmin don't tell you when you buy the damn thing - won't work with Apple products!

Damn these first world problems.

I will just have to come to terms with buying the most expensive satnav out there and running it on out of date maps and safety camera alerts. Fantastic.

[casbar]

The maps are updated wirelessly, you don't need to connect to your mac. You can also transfer routes wirelessly via the Garmin Drive app directly to the XT. I borrowed my wifes laptop when I needed to access the XT drive to delete some files.

I use my iPhone to transfer routes that I have done on My Route App

But everything else can be done via wi fi to the device.

[owl*]

Thanks Casbar - I didn't realise that - I will give it a try. It would save me from having to buy a cheap Windows laptop (shudder)

[jfheath]

Some actions require the XT to be connected by cable - Transfers of routes to the XT that are carried out wirelessly end up as gpx files in the XT's internal storage. Once there, they cannot be removed without connecting to a device that can access the XT's folder structure.

But that is just tidying up, it doesn't stop day to day operation.

[lkraus]

I don't have a Mac, but I've read of two things that seem to help with connecting the XT.

Some users have needed to use a USB hub between the XT and a newer Mac. Somehow this slows the transfer speed or changes the timing so that the ports can talk to each other. At least I think that what's happening, but it apparently works.

The other issue is that the XT may not connect to Basecamp. The fix for that may be to shut down Garmin Express. Apparently a Mac allows only one Android File Transfer connection, so if Express is running in the background (which it does by default), the XT cannot connect to BC.

I have had to use a hub to connect my XT to my fairly new, fairly fast Windows PC when transferring large amounts of data (new maps, many Gb of music, etc.) I don't seem to need it for transferring a few new routes or downloading trip logs.

[owl*]

Thanks for the further replies. I can live with leaving old routes in the device. Strangely enough I transferred routes made in Basecamp to the XT with no problems at all a few weeks ago. I know never to have BC and GE running at the same time, its just that I have been successful in the past at connecting the XT to the laptop, albeit living with it taking several minutes to recognise that it is actually connected, but the other day it was a total no go. I get frustrated at the inconsistency.

[fatfeet]

I've tried every combination of opening GE first, then plugging in the XT, plugging in the XT first, then opening GE, sneaking up on it when it's not looking etc etc.

hi when I had a BMW NAV Vi, I also had a great deal of trouble trying to connect to my Mac. I do not have a windows pc, I now own an XT and it seems to connect to GE and BC much quicker.

Now I know this does not help you, but it may prove to you it is possible. One thing I did find out, you have to make sure BC is completely closed down if you want to connect to GE, and the same visa versa,

if connecting to BC make sure the little black triangle at the top of the Mac screen is not showing. Open GE settings and make sure you quit completely, if both are open then neither will connect to your XT, worth a try

[owl*]

Thanks for that!

I knew about not having BC & GE open at the same time, but the little triangle at the top of the MacBook screen was a revelation - I'd never noticed it before, and it was there even though I had exited GE and (supposedly) shut it down.

Doesn't help me with connecting to GE but the info on its own was valuable.