CONNECTING XT2 TO ANDROID MOBILE PHONE WITH USB-C CABLE

[giuseppe66]

I'm looking for a way to access the XT2 directly from an Android phone connected via USB. Has anyone already tried this successfully? That would be a great option. Thanks

[Mzokk]

I'm not sure about the XT2 as I don't have one. But you certainly can with the XT and Older Garmin's such as my Zumo 340 and 390. For the older garmins you need a USBc to USBa adaptor to connect the phone to the Garmin USBa to USB Mini B lead. But any phone on Android 14 or above will be able to "See" the contents of the Zumo XT and presumably the XT2 which will need a USBc to USBc lead? The XT and the XT2 use the MTP Media Transfer Protocol to connect to computers. Older devices use Mass Storage and connect with older versions of Android as well as later versions. This make route planning and storage on a phone handy if you are using routing software like MyRoute app as you can transfer routes (in my case) to old zumo 340's or 390's via cable from my phone.

On my phone when I plug the Zumo in.

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[giuseppe66]

Unfortunately I can't see the XT2 connected via USB-C with my Samsung S25 phone. Your usage (gpx transfer from MRA) is what I would like to do but I also tried third-party apps like File Manager or Norton Commander but none of them see the XT2 while if I connect it to the computer it is seen normally as a memory drive

[lkraus]

My Samsung S10 (Android 12), requires an OTG adapter (included with the phone) to connect with my (MTP) XT or a USB drive. It has a female USB-A connector on one side and a male USB-C on the other. The male side is insufficiently endowed, so my thick protective phone case must be removed to use the adapter.

I've verified that the adapter does work, but I have never found a reason to use it. It is simply easier to use Garmin Drive to transfer .gpx files from the phone wirelessly. Moving data from the XT can wait until I get out the laptop.

[proofresistant]

@giuseppe66

I guess you can ignore everything written about the old zumo XT, as the new zumo XT2 probably uses different (more modern) USB transfer functions.

The only way I have found so far to get routes or tracks from my Samsung Galaxy onto the navigation device is the Tread app.

Please note that the Tread app should be used with caution for route exchange. Some others, including myself, have deactivated it on their smartphones or even uninstalled it completely (there are countless reports of problems discussed here).

So, even though you explicitly asked about successful experiences, my answer is, I haven't succeeded yet, but I've tried several times. All without success.

For when I'm on the rooad (only my Smartphone zumo XT2 and me), I bought a small USB-C SD card reader, which is mini and doesn't cost much.

At home on my PC, I use the zumo XT connection via USB C cable.
I also use TripManager for the transfer; you can find lots of information about this here in the forum.

[Mzokk]

My Samsung S10 (Android 12), requires an OTG adapter (included with the phone) to connect with my (MTP) XT or a USB drive. It has a female USB-A connector on one side and a male USB-C on the other. The male side is insufficiently endowed, so my thick protective phone case must be removed to use the adapter.

I've verified that the adapter does work, but I have never found a reason to use it. It is simply easier to use Garmin Drive to transfer .gpx files from the phone wirelessly. Moving data from the XT can wait until I get out the laptop.

I also use Garmin Drive to transfer routes from MyRoute app on my phone to the Zumo XT which I use on an Africa Twin. On my old BMW R1150GS I use either my Zumo 390 or Zumo 340. For these devices using a cable from a phone to transfer routes is handy as they don't have a way to transfer via Bluetooth, only via a memory card which is a bit of a faff.

The biggest strength for me of using MyRoute app on the phone is that it means that I don't have to cart around a device that can run Basecamp if I'm on tour and want to create new routes or modify existing ones. So I carry a cable and adaptor if I'm using my old GS.

One use I have found for it is to clear out/delete old imported trips from the XT's memory to tidy up the unit. You can't do this directly on the unit only if its connected to a computer or your phone.

With regard to the OP's XT2 perhaps there is a USB setting on the phone that could be changed to let it "See" the XT2 which is an MTP device like the XT. Perhaps there is some setting under USB preferences that is preventing a connection. You usually have to enable "Developer settings" to change these.

[proofresistant]

As already mentioned, experiences with the old zumo XT are of no help to the author of this thread (including the repeated comment about “Garmin Drive”) which simply does not support XT2 devices .

Then it probably makes little sense to change anything in the USB settings on the smartphone, because first the zumo XT2 has to go into USB transfer mode first, and even that is not initiated by the zumo XT2, at least not for me (But I've already tried everything in USB settings also )
I'll try a different OTG cable when I get the chance, but I don't think it will be successful.

[FrankB]

I agree (partly) with @proofresistant The XT and the XT2 are different devices; if it works for the XT, that doesn't mean it works for the XT2. But judging from my TripManager experience I would say that the XT2 is at least backward compatible with the XT when you look at the USB Transfer protocol. The XT, XT2, Tread 2, and even older devices like Zumo 340/350/590/595 can all be used using the same MTP protocol. Again: This does not mean it will work.

But there is one other remark I would like to make. I my test the XT used the Phone as a 'Powerbank'. It tried to charge from the Phone. For me enough reason to give up on the idea.

EDIT: Changed Upward to backward

[jfheath]

I'll take a look at this. But to chip in with XT2 specific information comparing the Tread App with the XT1 and Drive App.

With the XT1 - you can install and activate the Drive App on you phone and link it to the XT1 without allowing the XT1 to synch to the Explore database. In that configuration emailing a gpx file to the phone as an attachment - the phone can open it with the Drive App and the data will be installed on the XT1.

With the XT2 - you can set up Explore in the same way -ie install it on the phone link it to the app but do not allow it to synch or save data . That gives you the same smartphone data that is available to the XT1 through the Explore App, and the 590/595 with the Smartphone Link App - eg weather on the route ahead, traffic / road issues on the route ahead, road conditions on the route ahead and various other info (eg petrol and prices) on the route ahead.

Unfortunately, the XT2 does not allow you to email a gpx file to your phone so that it can send the gpx attachment through the Tread App to the XT2 - unless Tread is allowed to synch. Allowing Tread to Synch seems to be the cause of many problems which Garmin tell me they are still working on. So it is back to USB cable transfer - which is no problem - that is the way that it has always been.

[giuseppe66]

Thanks everyone for your reply and contribution. I currently use my PC, then transfer the GPX files to TripManager and then send them to the XT2 via USB cable. I've tried enabling developer options on my phone to change the USB connection settings, but to no avail. I've also tried different USB-C cables, but to no avail. I've also tried accessing the XT2's hidden menus, but to no avail. I don't use the Tread2 app because I'm aware of its problems, so it seems the only way to transfer the GPX files in my MRA address book to the XT2 is via microSD card or USB-C cable.