How to Erase and Restore a Garmin Edge Device Using Mac Disk Utility

This article covers how to view and remove hidden files, and restore a Garmin Edge Device to enable the installation of new maps if previous attempts have been unsuccessful.

Steps to Erase and Restore Your Garmin Edge

1. Back Up Important Data

Before erasing, back up your:

• Activities (Garmin/Activities/)

• Courses (Garmin/Courses/)

• Settings (Garmin/Settings/)

• Maps (if you downloaded third-party maps)

Copy these files to your Mac for safekeeping.

You can also ensure the device syncs with your Connect app before doing the next step.

2. Erase the Garmin in Disk Utility

• Plug in the Garmin Edge to your Mac.

• Open Disk Utility (Cmd + Space, search "Disk Utility").

• Select the Garmin device in the sidebar.

• Click Erase and format as exFAT (not FAT32).

• Name it GARMIN (all caps).

• Click Erase to wipe the device.

3. Reinstall Garmin Software

• Go to Garmin Express and download it.

• Open Garmin Express and connect your Edge device.

• It should detect the missing system files and prompt you to reinstall them.

• Follow the on-screen instructions to restore firmware and maps.

4. Restore Your Data (Optional)

• If needed, copy back your Activities, Courses, and Settings from your backup.

5. Hard Reset the Device

After setup, perform a final reset:

• On the Edge, go to Settings > System > Reset > Delete Data and Reset Settings.

6. Connect Edge to Garmin Express

7. With a data cable, connect the device to your computer and open Garmin Express.

8. Garmin Express will provide missing software files allowing you to reprogram your Garmin device.

9. Follow on screen instructions from Garmin Express, as it will also tell you to unplug and replug a few times to allow the device to install software.

10. Once Garmin Express gives a completion notification, unplug device from computer and turn the device off and then on again.

11. Then on the Garmin device, go to settings and re-pair with your phone through the Garmin Connect app. Do not attempt to set up the device from the phone, you must create the ‘pair’ request from the Garmin device.

12. Your device and the Connect app will recognise this is an existing product you own and will prompt you to set up.

13. You will then have no maps except the basic base layer installed.

6. Install new maps

1. Plug device into computer. Go to Garmin Express and select free Garmin maps to install. These are Garmin’s own preferred maps. You likely cannot install all regions at the same time so it is best just selecting and installing the maps that you require, i.e. North and Central America.

Alternatively, you can install 3rd party maps in several varieties as detailed by DC Rainmaker here.