General Outdoor Recreation
August 2, 2024
We receive questions from inReach device1users around the world through surveys, social media and our product support teams. We’ve answered the most common questions — and a few unique ones — about using inReach satellite communicators.
Q: Is the device supposed to warn about having an active subscription every time I turn it on?
A: Yes. Each time you turn your device on, you will encounter the following notification:
“WARNING: MESSAGING, TRACKING, AND SOS REQUIRE AN ACTIVE SUBSCRIPTION. ALWAYS TEST YOUR DEVICE BEFORE YOU GO.”
This message is for your awareness, so you know your inReach device is fully operational before you may need it for communication or during an emergency. It does not indicate that the inReach device does not have service.
Learn more about this notification and testing your inReach device.
Q: Where does the weather forecast come from?
A: Land forecasts are powered byMeteoblue®, a leading provider of weather data around the globe. It provides a forecast from the nearest reporting weather station to the location requested.Using that weather station data, Meteoblue adjusts the forecast based on the requested location and elevation.
Marine forecasts are based onOCENSpremium marine weather data, which provides wave and wind levels to 1/100 of a degree of latitude or longitude. Atlantic data sources include WW3 Multi-Global, WW3 Navy, NDFD, ECMWF and GFS Global Wave as well as HRRR and RAP for wind in some areas.
Learn more about weather for inReach devices.
Q: How do I send a Check-in message?
A: Check-in messages are a convenient way to send short, predefined messages to preselected recipients from your inReach device while you are out and about.
There are three predetermined Check-in messages that cannot be edited. They are:
- I’m checking in, everything is okay.
- I’m starting my trip.
- I’m ending my trip.
Before you leave for your adventure, you must determine your Check-in message recipients. This is done from the GarminExplore™ website or in the GarminMessenger™ app, under “Edit Check-in Contacts” (depending upon your device).Note:Check-in messages cannot be sent via the Earthmate™ app.
Directions on sending a Check-in message from your inReach vary depending on which device you own, but for the most part, instructions are:
- From the inReach device home screen, pressOKto open the homepage actions.
- SelectCheck-In.
- Press<or>to scroll through the three check-in message options.
- PressOKto select a message.
- PressOKto send the message.
For directions and more device-specific information,visit the Garmin Support Center, enter your device name into the search bar and search for Check-in messages.
Q: What are Waypoints, and how do I use them?
A: Waypoints are location points you record and store in your inReach device. Waypoints can mark where you are, where you are going or where you have been. Creating a Waypoint within the Earthmate®app, GarminExplore app or GarminExplore website–depending on which device you use–can be shared if the Waypoint is saved within a Collection that is shown in MapShare.
Learn more about Waypointshere. For detailed information on how to set Waypoints on your specific inReach device, visit theGarmin Support Center, enter your device name in the search bar, and search for Waypoints.
Q: Which Garmin apps are compatible with my inReach device?
A: Each device connects to a Garmin app (Garmin Messenger™, Garmin Explore™, Earthmate®) that you can download from the AppStore®or GooglePlay to your smartphone. Once an app is downloaded, paired and synced to your inReach device, you may enjoy expanded features for your off-grid adventures and outdoor pursuits.
See below for clarification of the apps, what they do and the devices they connect with:
GarminMessenger App – Communication and Location Sharing:inReach®Messenger, inReach®Mini 2, GPSMAP®66i/GPSMAP®67i, GPSMAP®86i/GPSMAP®86sci, Montana®700i/GPSMAP®750i and Alpha®200i/Alpha®300i devices
GarminExplore App – Mapping and Navigation:inReach Mini 2, GPSMAP66i/GPSMAP 67i, GPSMAP 86i/GPSMAP 86sci, Montana700i/Montana 750i and Alpha200i/Alpha 300i devices
EarthmateApp – Communication, Mapping and Navigation:inReach®Mini, inReachExplorer®+, inReach SE®+ and DeLorme®inReach devices
Note:the Earthmate app is not compatible with inReach Mini 2.
Q: While overnight on an adventure, should I leave my inReach on or turn it off?
A: Because most inReach devices have enough battery life for most adventures, we recommend you leave the device powered on.
If you are on a long trip and need to save battery, know this:An SOS can be initiated even if the device is not powered on. Holding down the SOS button for around 5 seconds will force the unit to power on and initiate an SOS request if you have satellite connection.
Q: I am going out of the country on vacation and want to bring my inReach satellite communicator. How do I know if my device will be supported?
A: It is your responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the satellite communication device is intended to be used. inReach devices operate on the Iridium®satellite network, which provides 100% global coverage. However, some countries require prior permission or a government-issued registration code to activate or use satellite communication devices. Other countries completely prohibit the use or possession of satellite communicators. In addition, U.S. embargoes prohibit providing satellite communication products and services in some countries.
See a list of restricted countrieshere.
Q: Can a contact of mine hit the Locate button on my MapShare page to see my current location even if I am not currently tracking?
A: Yes, but only if you have given permission to that contact. You do not need to be tracking with your device, but your device needs to be turned on.
Note:these location requests are counted toward your inReach subscription plan, so you may be charged. For more information on inReach message charges,review this article.
Here are general steps to set up MapShare :
- From the GarminExplore website, clickSocialfrom the top navigation menu.
- Toggle theMapSharebutton, and your unique, customizable URL will populate next to the green button.
- Select theMapShare Settingsbox, and checkAllow map viewers to locate you.
- Share yourMapShare linkwith contacts by copying and pasting and texting or emailing it to them.
- Show contacts how to use Location Requestwithin MapShare.
For more detailed tutorials on how to configure MapShare, check out our support articles, listed by device, in theGarmin Support Center.
For a real-life example of how to use Location Request, read about how it came in handy during a routine hunting trip.
Q: How does my partner send a message to my inReach device while I am adventuring?
A: inReach satellite communicators do not have phone numbers assigned to them, so they can only send SMS (text), email or inReach messages. inReach users must do at least one of the following for others to reach them:
- Initiate a conversation with a recipient by sending them a message so they can reply to it.
- Give access to their MapShare page so others can message them from there.
- Provide their inReach address so other inReach users can message them.
- Pair acompatible inReach devicewith the GarminMessenger app on their phone.
There are five ways to send a message to an inReach device:
- Email messaging
- SMS (text) messaging
- GarminMessenger app
- MapShare messaging
- inReach to inReach messaging
For detailed instructions on each method,review this Garmin Support article.
Q: If I have two devices on one account, do I have to pay for service for each of them?
A: Each inReach device requires its own subscription. Personal inReach accounts are designed for one active device. If you have several inReach devices with heavy use, you may want to consider aProfessional plan.Reach out to the inReach Professional Sales teamto discuss options.
1Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is your responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the satellite communication device is intended to be used.
Apple and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
