Unlocking a map

You can't, the map is locked to your device.

Doesn't that answer your question? Are you asking how to steal a map?

It does seem that Garmin is no longer selling add-on subscriptions for lifetime map updates, but there are still a few online vendors that have them in stock. So unless your wife's Garmin is very old, you should be able to purchase a lifetime map update subscription: https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-n%C3%BCMaps-Lifetime-America-U...

That said, it is questionable whether purchasing a lifetime subscription is worth it for an older device. It might make more sense to replace the device with a new one that includes lifetime. That is probably why you can't find it on the Garmin site any more.

Knowing map update is on a sd card. I wanna switch back and forth between Garmins?? Where does the stealing part come in?? Air or hammerhead!!!!!!

If you purchase the maps from garmin on a SD card you can indeed switch that card from unit to unit. I have done this with the European maps that I needed for a trip last year back to the UK. But if you download the maps using your "life time maps update" enabled GPS then that update is locked to that unit weather it is on your computer or SD card.

Don't get mad, we're trying to be helpful in finding a solution for you

You stated:

If you just updated your GPS to 2018 maps then those maps you just updated can only be used on your GPS.

You then stated:

You cannot use the map you just updated on your GPS to any other GPS, the map is locked & can only be used on the GPS it was updated to which is yours.

Solution: Buy/purchase a pre-programmed map on an SD Card & then you'll beable to use it on your GPS, your wifes or any other Garmin GPS.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/view-cart.ep

Cheers

As others have stated, when you download a map update for a particular Garmin unit, you cannot use that map update on a different unit even if you are not using them at the same time.

The only way (as stated above) is to purchase a standalone map SD card that is preloaded with the maps and use THAT in the alternate unit.

Or if you can locate a third party seller of the map update and purchase that for the other Garmin unit.

Yes, you used to be able to buy "lifetime" maps if your unit did not come with that included.

I had bought the lifetime maps for several of my old units, plus even some lifetime European maps.

That "lock" is there for a reason. Why bother locking it (or tying it to a device) if users can freely use the map on any Garmin devices they own including those that aren't eligible for lifetime map updates?

If I remember correctly, Garmin sells maps on an SD card that you can use on multiple Garmin devices (I may be wrong about this). Not sure if they still sell those SD card maps today. If they do, that's what you should use. SD card maps can not be updated. You must purchase another SD card map with new maps preloaded.

Note that the SD card of full continent maps (CN NA or CN Europe) may no longer be compatible with older devices that have the 2 GB file size limit (Street Pilot, nuvi 3xx/6xx for example).

They're two solutions: You buy it or you steal it but that will not be discussed here.

Based on the OP's posts on the site, I truly do not believe that it was his intention to steal a map. I think that he did not have an in depth understanding of the map process.

I little "benefit of the doubt" is likely in order in this instance.

I think that the OP should also know that it is against this site's policy to divulge information on how to do something that is against the device's licensing agreements.