inReach Mini 2
General Outdoor

You Asked, We Answered: Your inReach® Device Questions

July 25, 2024

We receive questions from inReach device1 users 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 by meteoblue, a leading provider of weather data around the globe. The forecasts are based on a multi-model approach, which combines various weather models with current measurements and observations as available, specifically for the location and elevation requested. The meteoblue website provides extensive additional weather information.

Marine forecasts are based on OCENS premium 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:

Before you leave for your adventure, you must determine your Check-in message recipients. This is done from the Garmin Explore™ website or in the Garmin Messenger™ 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:

  1. From the inReach device home screen, press OK to open the homepage actions.
  2. Select Check-In.
  3. Press < or > to scroll through the three check-in message options.
  4. Press OK to select a message.
  5. Press OK to 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, Garmin Explore app or Garmin Explore 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 Waypoints here. For detailed information on how to set Waypoints on your specific inReach device, visit the Garmin 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 App Store® or Google Play 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:

Garmin Messenger 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

Garmin Explore App – Mapping and Navigation: inReach Mini 2, GPSMAP 66i/GPSMAP 67i, GPSMAP 86i/GPSMAP 86sci, Montana 700i/Montana 750i and Alpha 200i/Alpha 300i devices

Earthmate App – Communication, Mapping and Navigation: inReach® Mini, inReach Explorer®+, 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 countries here.

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 :

  1. From the Garmin Explore website, click Social from the top navigation menu.
  2. Toggle the MapShare button, and your unique, customizable URL will populate next to the green button.
  3. Select the MapShare Settings box, and check Allow map viewers to locate you.
  4. Share your MapShare link with contacts by copying and pasting and texting or emailing it to them.
  5. Show contacts how to use Location Request within MapShare.

For more detailed tutorials on how to configure MapShare, check out our support articles, listed by device, in the Garmin 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:

There are five ways to send a message to an inReach device:

  1. Email messaging
  2. SMS (text) messaging
  3. Garmin Messenger app
  4. MapShare messaging
  5. 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 a Professional plan. Reach out to the inReach Professional Sales team to 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.