Install Garmin on your iDevice!!

Posted: 12th February 2012 by Jacky Yong in Computers
Tags: , , , , , , ,

I have always liked to use Garmin MobileXT on the Symbian on my previous Nokia 5800 XM. That Nokia was famous phone, right before iPhone was introduced and swept away the nation in a smartphone frenzy. It’s still a very good phone, although I only use it for the GPS feature, because iPhone don’t have a proper Garmin software designed for it.

Up until now, all the Garmin for iOS are incompetent. They need to turn on the data, and there is no option to update your own map (Malaysia has a one of the actively updated map, and they are free some more). But now Garmin has release the Map-On-Board version, so it’s definitely worth checking out. Finally I have found a compelling reason to justify the reason why I migrated to iOS!

EDIT : You may want to view the improved version in my updated post

Things that you will need:

  1. the Garmin OnBoard app for iOS (it’s a blue icon with the word U.S.A. on it)
  2. a jailbroken iPhone + iPhone cable
  3. iFunbox
  4. iFile
  5. Malaysia’s map file (or any country of your choice)

I am not going to reveal where I downloaded the “Garmin OnBoard No Map” app, you will just need to Google it yourself. * ahem ahem *

The first thing you need of course is to install Garmin OnBoard into your jailbroken iDevice. I assume you know how to do it yourself, and thus have at least some basic knowledge of jailbreaking, lest you know what I am talking about here. I specifically mentioned “No Map” here because the Garmin OnBoard full map contains the full map of USA, which is a staggering 1.8 GB in size!

Next using iFunbox, copy your map (which has the extension .img) file to //var/mobile/Applications/[USA]/Library/sdcard/Garmin/. If you cannot located the application “USA”, sort the apps by date.

(Note that [USA] is denoted by some random numbers in some file viewer. More on that later.) You might also want to copy the .img file to //var/mobile/Applications/[USA]/Garmin-nav.app/storage-usa/.System

Copy your voice files (extension .vpm) to //var/mobile/Applications/[USA]/garmin-nav.app/storage-usa/Voice

Edit: Here is the link to some voice files online. http://www.gps-data-team.com/pda-gps-navigation/topic/2258.html

If you cannot locate “garmin-nav.app”, that’s because it is shown as “USA” in iFunbox. How intuitive is that? * duhhhh *

If you have custom POI’s, you can also copy them to //var/mobile/Applications/[USA]/garmin-nav.app/storage-usa/POI, though to be honest, I have never used custom POI’s before.

Skip this step if you actually paid USD50 for this app; You will need to bypass the authentication to the Garmin server.

Open iFunBox again, select Raw File System:

RawFile

Select "Raw File System", then locate "/etc/"

Go to /etc/ and locate the file “hosts”. Modify it to add these two lines:

127.0.0.1       www.garmin.com
127.0.0.1       gold.garmin.com
127.0.0.1       bronze.garmin.com

Next you will need to use iFile. The trick is trying to locate the application number and match it against the iFile, because as I mentioned earlier, even though iFunbox shows the name “USA”, it is actually shown as some random numbers in iFile. Just double-click the app in iFunbox and note the numbers shown at the title bar.

In iFile, locate all the files that you have just copied, and set these ownership and permissions:

Ownership:

Owner: mobile; Group: mobile

Access Permissions:

User: Read, Write, Execute

Group: Read, Execute

World: Read, Execute

If you cannot see certain folders in iFiles (such as .System), make sure that you “show hidden files” in the iFiles options. Also, if you not be able to hear sounds, set the same permissions to all the other voice files as well.

And that’s it! Go outside and enjoy!

  1. cheefai7 says:

    Way to go bro, I have tried Papago and Sygic, time to try up Garmin on iOS.

  2. e_lalz says:

    Installed it last night. Working fine except for no voice yet as I haven’t copy the voice file in the Garmin folder. Actually still searching for it.
    I’ve XM5800 with Garmin XT installed on it. Can I use the voice file from my XM5800?. Or maybe Jacky can share the file with us..

  3. Jacky Yong says:

    Ohhh I didn’t know that I missed the voice files. Here it is:
    http://www.gps-data-team.com/pda-gps-navigation/topic/2258.html

    I also edited in the post. Thanks for highlighting that 😉

  4. Sham says:

    Bro, where did you get Malaysia map for iphone? Or can use usual img file

  5. Sham says:

    Nevermind I got it. Just wondering if u successfully enable junction view.

  6. Stanley Teh says:

    the “hosts” file originally already contain 127.0.0.1, should i remove it or just add in the two entry ? I’m not able to launch the application by just add in this two entry

  7. Jacky Yong says:

    @Sham, too bad, I have not been able to enable junction view 🙁

  8. Jacky Yong says:

    @Stanley – Normally just by adding the extra two lines should do it, no need to remove the original 127.0.0.1. I am surprised that you can’t launch the application. Can you reach the part where it searches the server for authentication?

  9. Stanley Teh says:

    Hi Jacky, I manage to get everything run right now except the address search, the program will just automatically exit whenever i use the address search function

  10. Sham says:

    Try google this “Garmin-SGMY-UnlockedMaps-Otosan.ipa”. I manage to get JCV enable. But this is not SG/MY version. Still USA version but have 3D and JCV, but the map doesnt have all the icon like shell, petronas. What I did was just import malsing map exactly like Jacky told by rename the current map in there to gmapprom2.img. Then all those icon appear. But I still doesnt test it if the JCV still work.

  11. azlan says:

    hai, jacky i just install a garmin sg/my but certainly it doesn’t hav a map, and i already jailbroken my idevice, but still i can really understand how should i do it until it done. and i doesn’t even have a my own map, how should i get one? can u show me in steps.. thanks

  12. wh says:

    I tried the methods but when I go Settings > myMaps > and it display None found. I have copied all the img files to both folder and set the permission correctly and restart but nothing found.

    May I know where you guys download the img file?

  13. WH says:

    I have followed the instructions but when I go to Settings > myMaps and None found. I have copied the img files to both directory and permission has been setted as aboved and restarted my iPhone but no map can be found.

    Please let me know where to download the maps for Singapore.

    Thanks 🙂

  14. safwan says:

    hi,

    whay i cannot bypass the authentication?. I changed this number already
    127.0.0.1 http://www.garmin.com
    127.0.0.1 gold.garmin.com

    still fail to bypass..please help

  15. John says:

    Stanley, how do u manage to launch? I tried many ways suggested in the internet but still failed 🙁 everytime it will ask regarding the authentication 🙁 help me please..

  16. Arif says:

    hi.. i couldn’t find whre and how to locate the file hosts.. plls hep thanx.

    i’ve downloaded garmin SG&MY

  17. Jacky Yong says:

    I have updated the post to mention exactly where to get to the host file. For those who still fails authentication, you can try these several methods:

    1. download the hosts file into your PC and inspect it using a Wordpad. I encounter once where the iFunbox did not save my host file. After you have made sure the host file is in order, upload it back to your iDevice.

    2. Close your app, make sure you remove it from the background. Better yet, restart your iDevice. I too encounter this many times. Restarting usually does the trick.

    3. For SG & MY, add one more line “127.0.0.1 bronze.garmin.com”. I have updated this post again.

  18. Arif says:

    thanks man!.. will try

  19. Arif says:

    my o my..

    how does the host file written.. mine is like this. Any thing wrong here?

    ##
    # Host Database
    #
    # localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
    # when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
    ##
    127.0.0.1 localhost
    255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
    ::1 localhost
    fe80::1%lo0 localhost
    127.0.0.1 http://www.garmin.com
    127.0.0.1 gold.garmin.com
    127.0.0.1 bronze.garmin.com

  20. Arif says:

    BTW Jacky..

    if you dont mind kindly give me the links to download “Garmin OnBoard No Map” app. i’ve goosled and searched but to no avail. Filesonic cannot be accessed due to what i dont know..

    hehe.. if u do not want to post it publicly.. you can send email to me ariftesl@gmail.com

  21. Jacky Yong says:

    Just notice something, how come there is a “http://” in your http://www.garmin.com? Have you tried removing it?

  22. Josephine says:

    When i launch it, it shows an error message like this “Activation of maps requires internet connection. Please ensure you have a connection to the internet using eirther your data plan or WiFi”

    How to overcome this problem?

  23. Syafiq says:

    Hi Jacky,

    I followed ur step and managed to open garmin but no maps in my maps.I download the map from malsingmap. I also has done doing the ifile.btw im using garmin sg&my .any idea what went wrong? thanks

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  25. Jacky Yong says:

    Here’s an updated post specifically for SG & MY. http://www.jackyyong.com/wp/install-sg-my-garmin-on-your-idevice

  26. alvin says:

    after adding 3 lines in wordpad, i tried to save those changes…but it doesnt save..because when i inspect again the host file using wordpad, the changes i made was nt thr…so how bro?

  27. alvin says:

    When i launch it, it shows an error message like this “Activation of maps requires internet connection. Please ensure you have a connection to the internet using eirther your data plan or WiFi”

  28. Jacky Yong says:

    Hi Alvin,
    This basically means that the map that you installed is locked. Use GMaptools and combine it with your existing tools, and tick “Remove unlock codes”. Go to http://www.jackyyong.com/wp/install-sg-my-garmin-on-your-idevice for more details.

  29. Abdullah says:

    Thanks man for giving the detail instructions I followed all the steps carefully the maps are working but the only problem i am having is that the navigation is not working.kindly help me in this regard.

  30. Jacky Yong says:

    When you say the navigation is not working, what do you mean? You can’t locate the satelite? You can locate satelite but you can’t find your place? If you can’t find your satelite, probably the location service is disabled for that app. Go to your iPhone Settings – Location Services, make sure it’s on. Then navigate down to your Garmin, make sure it’s enabled for that. If that fails try installing GPS status. It will show you whether your GPS is working or not.

  31. Abdullah says:

    When i say navigation is not working i mean if i select some place or POI and ask Garmin to
    navigate to that place it starts calculating route but after that it will again show ready to navigate instead of showing calculated route to destination.

  32. Ken says:

    I have a problem with this app opening then closing. When I first installed
    it I got the same message as stated above. I later tried it and now all it does
    is open for about 20 seconds then closes. I have tried several Garmin apps
    all doing the same open for 20 seconds or so then close.

    I installed it on my other iPhone which is a 8GB and it worked perfectly.

    I have tried several times to uninstall and install with no luck. I used iFile to make
    the Permission changes but still no luck.

    I am wondering if the uninstall is not removing everything?

    Ken

  33. izyann says:

    hye,i couldnt find the host file in etc. help?

  34. WildSanchez says:

    I have followed the instructions but when I go to Settings > myMaps and None found.

    Please let me know where to download the maps for USA.

    Thanks