How to transfer saved places between Garmin devices

The fastest way to move your saved places to a new Garmin is to export them from the old device as a file, then import that file into the new one. Garmin devices store saved locations in a format called GPX or CSV, which both old and new models can read. You do not need special software — the process uses either Garmin's free BaseCamp program or your device's built-in menu.

The exact steps depend on which Garmin model you own and whether you want to move everything at once or pick specific locations. Most modern Garmin GPS units (including Drive, DriveSmart, and nuvi models) support the same file format, so compatibility is usually not a problem. The transfer itself takes minutes once you have the file.

Key Takeaways

  • Export your saved places from your old Garmin as a GPX or CSV file using either the device menu or BaseCamp software.
  • Connect your new Garmin to a computer and import the file into the "My Places" or "Favorites" folder using BaseCamp or the device's file manager.
  • If your old device does not have an export option, you can manually recreate saved places by entering coordinates or addresses into the new device.
  • BaseCamp is free software from Garmin that works on both Windows and Mac and handles the import process for most device models.
  • Test a few locations after import to confirm they appear correctly and that your device can navigate to them.

Exporting saved places from your old Garmin

Start by connecting your old Garmin to a computer using the USB cable that came with it. The device should appear as a removable drive or folder in your file manager (Windows Explorer on PC, Finder on Mac). Look for a folder called "Garmin" — inside it, find the subfolder for saved places, which may be labeled "My Places," "Favorites," "Waypoints," or "POI" depending on your model.

If your Garmin has a menu option to export, use that first. On most modern devices, go to Menu > My Places or Favorites, highlight a saved location, and look for an Export or Save option. This creates a single file with all your locations. If your device does not have an export menu, you can copy the saved places folder directly to your computer — this folder usually contains the files you need.

For older Garmin models or if you are unsure which folder holds your saved places, download Garmin BaseCamp from Garmin's website (it is free). BaseCamp can read your old device and show you all saved locations in one view, then export them as a single GPX file that works with almost any Garmin device made in the last ten years.

Using BaseCamp to transfer locations

BaseCamp is Garmin's free desktop software designed to manage waypoints, routes, and saved places across devices. Download it from Garmin's support website and install it on your computer. When you connect your old Garmin, BaseCamp will automatically detect it and display all your saved places in the main window.

Select all the locations you want to transfer (or just the ones you need), then right-click and choose Export. Save the file as a GPX file to your desktop or a folder you can find easily. GPX is the standard format that all modern Garmin devices accept. Now disconnect your old device and connect your new Garmin.

With the new device connected, open BaseCamp again and go to File > Import. Select the GPX file you just created. BaseCamp will show you a preview of all the locations. Click Import, and BaseCamp will transfer them to your new device. The locations will appear in your new Garmin's My Places or Favorites folder, ready to use.

Importing directly to your new Garmin without a computer

If you have the GPX file but do not want to use BaseCamp, you can copy it directly to your new Garmin. Connect the new device to your computer via USB. Open your file manager and navigate to the Garmin drive. Look for the folder where saved places are stored — usually "My Places," "Favorites," or "Waypoints."

Copy your GPX file into that folder. Safely eject the device, disconnect it, and restart it. The new locations should now appear in your saved places menu. Some Garmin models require you to go into the device menu and refresh or rebuild the database for the new locations to show up, so check your device's manual if the locations do not appear immediately.

What to do if your old Garmin does not have an export option

Older Garmin models sometimes lack a built-in export feature. In this case, BaseCamp is your best option — it can read almost any Garmin device and extract the saved places even if the device itself cannot export them. If BaseCamp does not recognize your device, you can manually recreate your saved places on the new Garmin by entering the address or coordinates for each location.

Write down the addresses or coordinates of your most important saved places from the old device before you switch. Then on your new Garmin, go to My Places or Favorites, select Add, and enter each location manually. This takes longer than a file transfer, but it ensures you do not lose critical locations like home, work, or frequently visited addresses.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If your new Garmin does not show the imported locations, first check that the file was copied to the correct folder. Some devices keep saved places in a hidden folder — enable "Show hidden files" in your file manager settings to see it. Restart your Garmin after copying the file; many devices need a reboot to recognize new data.

If BaseCamp does not recognize your new device, make sure you have the latest version of BaseCamp installed. Check Garmin's website for driver updates for your specific device model. If the file transfer worked but locations appear with incorrect names or coordinates, the GPX file may have been corrupted — try exporting again from your old device or using BaseCamp to re-export.

For very old Garmin models (more than 10 years old), the saved places format may not be compatible with newer devices. In this case, BaseCamp may not be able to convert the file. Your only option is to manually enter the addresses into your new device, or contact Garmin support to ask if they have a conversion tool for your specific model pair.

Testing your transferred locations

After the transfer is complete, test a few of your saved places to make sure they transferred correctly. Open your new Garmin's navigation menu, select a saved location, and start navigation. Confirm that the device routes to the correct address and that the location name appears as you saved it.

If a location is off by several blocks or miles, the coordinates may have been corrupted during transfer. Delete that location and re-enter it manually, or export and import the file again. Once you have confirmed that at least three or four locations work correctly, you can trust that the rest transferred properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer saved places between different Garmin models?

Yes. Garmin devices use the same GPX and CSV file formats across most models, so a file from a nuvi can transfer to a Drive, or from an older model to a newer one. The only exception is very old devices (pre-2010) that may use proprietary formats BaseCamp cannot read.

Will my saved place names and details transfer, or just the coordinates?

Both transfer. GPX files store the location name, coordinates, and any notes you added. When you import the file, all that information comes over to your new device, so you do not lose any details.

What if I only want to transfer some saved places, not all of them?

Use BaseCamp to export only the locations you need. In BaseCamp, select the specific waypoints you want, then export just those to a new GPX file. Alternatively, manually delete unwanted locations from the GPX file using a text editor before importing to your new device.

Do I need to delete the old saved places from my new Garmin before importing?

No. Imported locations are added to whatever is already on your new device. If your new Garmin came with default saved places and you want to remove them, delete them manually from the device menu before or after importing your old locations.

How long does the transfer take?

The file transfer itself takes seconds to a few minutes depending on how many locations you have. The entire process — export, file transfer, and import — usually takes 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish.