This guide tells you how to export route files from MyRoute app to your Garmin navigation system. A distinction is made between manual export and wireless export. You can also read more about the export of POIs from MyRoute app.


We would like to give you the following tips in advance:

  • Always create routes that you are going to use on your Garmin navigation device on the HERE map in the MRA route planner;
  • Always use the correct (original) cables to export to your navigation system;
  • When exporting to your Garmin, always choose the .GPX track file to avoid straight lines (see also Straight lines in Garmin and BMW Navigator).
  • For more information about exporting in general, see General information about 'export' and 'save as';
  • For more information on installing and exporting with the MyRoute app connector, see our other manuals;
  • For more information on creating, using and adding POIs, see our Manual POI's.
  • For specific videos about different navigation systems you can always check out our Youtube channel .

Manual export

The following explains how you can export to Garmin navigation devices with a USB cable.


The steps for exporting

  1. Open the route you want to export;
  2. Connect your Garmin with the USB cable;
    Some Garmin devices require you to select 'transfer mode', most do this automatically. If the Garmin is connected, a transfer screen will be shown on the Garmin. You can also check whether the connection was successful by viewing the explorer on your computer (see also What to do if the navigation system is not found?)
  3. Click on the 'export' button in the route editor of MyRoute app.
    You now get the option to install the connector if you have not done so already (see also the manual 'Installing the connector' - Windows & MacOS).
    Then click on 'Open route'. 
  4. The connector will open and you must select your navigation system. The options are:
    • Garmin New: These are almost all Garmin devices. A .GPX 1.1 file is used. 
    • Garmin Old: This is for older Garmin devices (like 220 and Street Pilot). A .GPX 1.0 file is used. 
    • Garmin Zumo XT: This is specifically for the Garmin Zumo XT. 
  5. Next, you click on 'export to device'.  
  6. You will receive a message that the export was successful (this can take a while, wait for the message). You can now disconnect the navigation device from your computer and use the route on your navigation device. 
  7. Finally, you need to convert the route on the Garmin device. You will be asked to agree to importing routes into the route planner.

    As we recommend that you drive the track, we recommend that you take the following steps;
  8. On your Garmin device, go to 'apps';
  9. Then to 'tracks' and click on the track of the route you just imported;
  10. The route will now be opened. Click here on the icon of the spanner; here you can change the color and the name.
    We recommend that you also select the option 'Show on map' here. This ensures that you can easily find the track again if you deviate from it while driving. This is very useful because recalculating with Garmin (except for the Garmin Zumo) can otherwise result in the track being lost and you being sent in a straight line to the endpoint.  
  11. Next, click on 'convert to journey' at the bottom of this menu. This may take a while.
  12. Finally, you will find the created track under 'journey planner'. Select the (track) route, press 'go', and finally 'start'.
    Make sure that 'recalculate' is switched off. As soon as the message 'ready for navigation' appears, click on 'start'.



Wireless export with Smartlink & Garmin Drive app

For newer Garmin models (such as the Garmin 396), it is possible to synchronise routes via Smartlink or the Garmin Drive app. How to do this is explained below. 


From the computer

  1. Open the desired route in the MRA Routeplanner.
  2. Click on 'save as' and save the route as a GPX 1.1 (track, POI) file. Choose this file (track) to avoid straight lines in the Garmin Explore.
    The document will be saved in the 'downloads' or wherever you choose to save the file. 
  3. Go to explore.garmin.com and log in with your Garmin data. 
  4. Then, within the Garmin Explore environment, you click on 'Map', then on import and you choose the correct route file from your computer. 
  5. After that, you also log in to your Garmin navigation device with your Garmin data. Make sure that the device is connected so that it can synchronize. Finally, click on 'track' and you can open the new route on your navigation device.


From your mobile device

With the Garmin Drive app, you can also export from your mobile device to your Garmin navigation device. 

  1. Make sure that the Garmin Smartlink and/or the Garmin Drive are installed and working on your mobile device beforehand. 
  2. Open the desired route from the MyRoute app environment on your mobile device.
  3. Click on 'save as' and choose the GPX 1.1 (track, POI) file. Choose this file (track) to avoid straight lines in the Garmin Explore. 
  4. You will then get the option to open with various tools on your mobile device. Here, you can choose either Smartlink or Garmin Drive (which you have on your mobile device).


'Save files as' for your Garmin device

It is always possible to save a route file from MyRoute-app on your computer and then export it on your navigation device. For your Garmin device, you generally use the GPX 1.1 (track, POI) file. 


Tips!


POIs from MyRoute-app and your Garmin device

As you have read before, you always export a file with both the track and the POIs to a Garmin. So you can export a route that includes POIs to Garmin and it will recognize the POIs in the .GPX file and show them when you drive the route. You will also hear a sound when you approach a POI while driving the route. 

Caution! Make sure you have saved the POIs you want to export as POIs in a route in the route editor of MyRoute-app (see the step 'adding' in the Manual POI's).