Maps4Garmin Instruction Manual

Last Updated 3/5/2022

Maps4Garmin is an app that you can download on your Garmin smartwatch.  If you haven't downloaded it yet, you can download it HERE.  

Once you've installed Maps4Garmin on your Garmin, you can access the app by going to the activities menu on your watch.  This is the same menu that contains the run, biking, swim, and other activities.  Maps4Garmin will most likely be at the bottom of the list.  Sometimes you have to click on four dots (colored red, blue, green, and white; and in the shape of a square), in order to find Maps4Garmin. Jump to Video

Once you've selected Maps4Garmin, you can view maps of the world.  The maps are in black & white, because its much cheaper than color maps.  However, I'm looking into hosting color maps.  

Unfortunately, you can't pinch the map to zoom in or out.  You'll need to use the + and - buttons to zoom in or out.   On touchscreen devices, simply tap the plus or minus button.  On non-touchscreen devices, you'll need to use the up and down keys on your watch.  

To move the viewing area in any direction on a touchscreen watch, you simply need to swipe in the direction that you would like to view.  On a buttons-only watch, press the "action" or "start" key to change what the up and down arrows do.  One click allows you to view north and south, and the next allows you to move east and west.  Finally, a third click brings you back to the zoom controls.  If you have "Auto Request Map" set to ON in settings, browsing outside of the map image should automatically request a new map image for that area.

Although the map always points north, your location arrow changes directions depending on where you are headed.  If you are moving, the arrow should point in the direction you are moving, regardless of the device orientation.  If you aren’t moving, the arrow should point in the direction that the front of the device is pointing. 

Two icons may appear while you're using Maps4Garmin.  One, a map pin icon with a black circle around it and line through it, indicates that your current position is not currently available, and that Maps4Garmin is using your last known location.  The other one, four red signal bars with a black circle around it and a line through it, indicates that your watch is not connected to your phone.

If you have a touchscreen watch, and have been browsing the map, there should be a blue button on the top left of the screen. You can press it to bring your location back into view on your device, and activate the "auto-update" feature, that automatically requests a new map image when you begin to move outside the viewing range of the map image.


Press the menu button to access Maps4Garmin's menu.  This allows you to do multiple things, including:

1. Exit the app.

2. Turn on or off Weather Radar (Premium).

3. Turn on or off Weather Radar Animation (Premium, and only available on some watches).

4. Store a map image for offline use.

5. Drop a pin, centered at the point you are currently viewing. 

6. Turn on or off the Auto Request Map feature.

7. Send feedback to me. (You need your watch to be connect to your phone to use this feature. Once you press this button, you'll need to click the notification that should appear on your phone, then press "open").

8. Select if you want to receive announcements from the developer or not (Premium).

9. View the Acknowledgments.


Open Maps4Garmin









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