If you have an old TomTom GPS, at a certain time you will need to update its maps.
Old maps have errors and might guide you wrong on your trip. That could cost you more gas money and lost time.
New TomTom navigation systems have a feature called lifetime free map updates, so it’s easy to update your device by simply connecting it to a computer and use TomTom’s own software to transfer newer maps to your GPS.
If you’re looking for a brand new navigation system, read also – Best Truck Gps – the definitive guide.
How to get free TomTom maps for older devices?
If you own a TomTom GPS navigator bought a long time ago, the original maps that were installed on the device are old and cannot be used efficiently.
A TomTom navigator with old maps becomes useless and may have a lot of errors.
Paid method – update Tomtom Maps
You can update the maps by accessing the official TomTom website, and then download the TomTom Home app on your laptop or computer.
When you connect TomTom to the computer, it will check for maps on your navigator and will offer you the latest updates available.
These maps are not free but worth the money, as they have the latest data for the best routes.
Sometimes you can get a good discount on the price but you must stay close on TomTom Maps promotions.
Tomtom Free Maps Update – Method 1
The first way to get free updates for the TomTom maps is by using TomTom’s sharing instrument, called MapShare.
MapShare contains an up-to-date user database and can be downloaded with TomTom Home for free.
The database contains changes to road restrictions, new points of interest, changes in one-way roads, new streets and much more.
Every day professional drivers load real-time traffic information and then they are grouped by TomTom in available updates for download.
Thus, an older map used with Mapshare will be quite useful and practical for any driver.
One great advantage of Mapshare over the paid maps (which come out only four times a year), is that they are updated monthly or even daily.
Taking into account that TomTom has a huge user database then the adjustments brought by MapShare will most likely cover most regions of the world.
Find out more about MapShare here: https://www.tomtom.com/mapshare/tools/
How it works :
- Editing map – simply select the “Map Corrections” option on the menu, and then select “Correct a Map Error.” From there, you can identify the type of correction. After searching for the street in question using the internal road database, you can enter your corrections, and then your TomTom will consider that change when planning routes.
- Sharing – TomTom lets you upload your corrections to their central servers each time you sync your GPS, to share them with other users.
- Using free updates – Sync your TomTom with the TomTom Home software using a computer. If enabled, you will automatically download Map Share free updates. You can set your preferences to include changes verified by TomTom.
TomTom Free Map Updates – method 2
There are several other projects which are trying to provide free maps for TomTom using Open Street Maps.
Open Street Maps is a community of enthusiasts who provide a free platform where you can edit, upload or download maps from any region.
A project which offers free updated maps (using OSM) for TomTom, is ttMaps – official website here.
This website lets you download maps and edit or create new routes.
ttMaps can work with Google Earth, so you can import and use Earth’s registered routes in GPS format.
The big downside is that ttMaps doesn’t include turn-by-turn navigation or other complex features.
It can be installed on a micro or SD card and run alongside the original software on your GPS.
Free TomTom Updates – Method 3 (not recommended)
This method could brick your device and make you accountable to the law – use it at your own risk.
For those who want paid Tomtom maps at no cost, there is a solution. Search on forums for original maps that can be downloaded as a registered user.
Download the compatible maps available for your TomTom (on forum topics you will find compatibility charts).
Make a backup of your software and maps using TomTom Home. After that, delete your old maps from the device.
Download FastActivate, you can find this software on internet forums.
Copy the map to your device or external card. You will need to copy it to the appropriate folder.
Use FastActivate instructions to patch your device and activate TomTom maps for free. Restart your satnav and you should have the new maps installed and running.
Mike says
I recently purchased a Tom Tom Go 50 5″ screen with Western Maps Free Lifetime Update. as I am gouung to France in June. So far it works perfectly well in the UK., but how do I change to European Maps? There is no manual with the item, and I cannot find info on Google though I assume there must be some? Can anyone help me?
Bernie Allan says
It should just work automatically. Try planning a route now to somewhere in France then run the route demo to see the route it will take.
Gregg Eshelman says
I picked up a TomTom Ease for free. It has no SD slot and internal memory is only 1.84 gig.1.2 gig of that is taken up by the United_States_2GB folder.
Getting the latest TomTom maps that will fit in it would be nice, since the company ceased updates to the Ease and many other older models in 2018. They won’t even sell a person the final released maps for the no longer supported models.
Ahmad Suhaimi says
I’m having a Tom Tom one, an old model. I moved to Malaysia and need the use of Malaysian maps and Vietnam maps to install to my gps.
How do I go about?
TomTom Update says
Thanks it Works
Michael Brown says
All these methods of updating refer to portable satnav, mine is built in so how do I connect it to a computer?