What is a .UNL file?
A .UNL file is a special kind of backup file used with Garmin navigation devices. These devices help people find their way by showing maps. The .UNL file is made by a program called MapSource, which Garmin device owners use to manage the maps on their devices. Inside a .UNL file, there are unlock codes. These codes are very important because they allow the maps to be used on the Garmin device. Think of these codes like a key that unlocks a door, but in this case, they unlock maps so you can use them for navigation.
If you ever need to make a backup of these unlock codes, you can do so using MapSource. Here's how you do it in simple steps: First, you go to the "Utilities" menu, then choose "Unlock Maps." After that, you click "Next," and then you select the option that says "Backup my unlock codes to a file." This will save the unlock codes in a .UNL file.
If you need to put these unlock codes back onto your Garmin device, maybe after resetting it or using a new device, you can also do this through MapSource. You go back to "Utilities," then "Unlock Maps," click "Next," and this time choose "Retrieve and reinstall all my unlock codes." After clicking "Next" again, you select "Retrieve my unlock codes from a file on my PC." This will take the unlock codes from the .UNL file and put them back on your device.
It's important to know that these unlock codes are unique to each Garmin GPS unit. This means you can't use a .UNL file from one Garmin device to unlock maps on another device. Each device needs its own set of unlock codes.
The main program that opens a .UNL file is Garmin MapSource. This is the program you would use to manage your maps and unlock codes for your Garmin navigation device.
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