Support & FAQs

MachDB supports both Jeppesen and Garmin database subscriptions. On the login screen, select your database subscription provider. For Jeppesen, log in with your Jeppesen account credentials (the same ones used with JDM). All communication is done directly with the Jeppesen servers.
For Garmin, you will be redirected to a login page hosted on the Fly.Garmin.com website to log in with your Garmin credentials.

• Garmin: All modern Garmin avionics systems that use SD cards or USB keys for database updates, including the G1000, G3000, and many others.
• Avidyne: Avidyne IFD, Entegra, and Vantage systems
• Collins: Pro Line 21 and Pro Line Fusion systems with USB data loaders
  • Note: MachDB currently supports loading Jeppesen Chart databases on Pro Line
  • Collins provides their own iOS App, Collins Connect, for loading other databases
  • You can copy all databases to the same USB key for loading simultaneously

MachDB works on any iPhone or iPad running iOS 17 or later.

• For SD cards (most Garmin Avionics), you'll need a standard USB-C SD card reader (or Lightning for older iPads)
  • Most standard USB-C SD card readers should work, but if you use a phone/tablet case you may prefer one that has a short cable, as "gum-stick" style readers may not fit properly with some cases
• For USB-A keys (Avidyne IFD & Entegra, Pro Line, and Garmin GI 275) you can use a USB-A to USB-C adapter, or a dual USB-C & USB-A flash drive
• For USB-C keys (Garmin Axis and Avidyne Vantage), you can connect them directly to your iPhone or iPad

Usage is straight-forward - select the databases you would like to download and the download button will download them to your local device. Large downloads should continue in the background if you leave the application. Once downloaded, simply connect your USB-C SD card reader or USB key to your iPhone or iPad and use the transfer button to copy the downloaded databases to the storage device.
For a more detailed guide see our video walkthrough.

MachDB is free to install and use, but requires an active database subscription with your aviation database provider to download and transfer databases.

When prompted to select the SD card or USB key, a standard iOS file dialog will appear. You should see your connected SD card or USB key under "Locations" on the left-hand selection column on iPad. On narrow displays (like iPhone) you need to select the "Browse" tab at the bottom of the file selection dialog and then the < (back) arrow at the top to see the Locations list. If you try to select a regular local folder instead of an SD card or USB key the app will warn you.

If your Jeppesen ChartView subscription has multiple chart regions, you will see then listed for download individually. Download the regions you want, and then select and transfer them in a single operation. They will be merged when transferred to the external storage.
If you transfer one or more regions again to the same card, they will replace any charts on the card already.
MachDB does not currently support granular subsetting by defined geographic area or runway length.

If your subscription includes multiple tail numbers, or if you have multiple avionics for a single tail number, you will see them listed separately for download, grouped by tail number / avionics unit.
You can select and download as many databases as you want in a single operation.
When you are ready to transfer, you need to select the tail number / avionics unit you want to transfer for on the Actions menu, and only the databases associated with that tail / avionics unit will be transferred to the external storage.