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Frequently Asked Questions About inReach Message Charges
A series of frequently asked questions about inReach® message charges can be found below. Click on the question to see the answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Counts as a Message?
Messages That Count Towards A Plan's Included Messages Limits
Sent Text Messages
Messages exceeding the 160 character limit will be sent as two separate messages and count as two messages on the invoice. For more information, refer to the following FAQs:
Received Text Messages
Group Messages
Each response counts as a single message.
Quick Text Messages
Sending a Reference Point (see inReach SE®+/inReach Explorer®+ Owner's manual)
Weather Requests
Messages sent to or received from anyone other than Garmin Response during an SOS
The initial activation does not count as a message.
inReach-to-inReach Messages
Sent and received messages count as separate messages.
Messages sent from a MapShare™ page to a handheld
Photo and Voice Messages
- Each of our current plan types has a separate monthly allotment for photo and voice messages. The inReach Messenger Plus satellite communicator is currently the only Garmin device that has the ability to send and receive photo and voice messages over the Iridium satellite network.
Messages That Do Not Count Towards Your Plan's Included Message Limits
Outbound preset or check-in messages
NOTE: Check-in messages have replaced preset messages as of September 27th, 2022. inReach® accounts set up prior to this date will still have preset messages available, but any new accounts created after this date will use check-in messages.
Each inbound response counts as a message against your limits.
Inbound preset or check-in messages received from another inReach user
Up to 5 test messages. Test messages can still be sent after the 5 free are used up, but each additional message costs $0.50 USD/$0.70 CAD.
For more information, see - Testing Text Messaging on an inReach Handheld
Messages sent over internet only
This is only applicable under certain specific circumstances when using the Garmin Messenger™ app. For more details, see - Message Charges When Using the Garmin Messenger App.
If you are not using an inReach Messenger Plus satellite communicator, photo and voice messages sent or received in the Garmin Messenger app will only be delivered over internet.
Reacting to Messages With Emojis
- Emoji reactions are done by pressing and holding on a message in the Garmin Messenger™ app, then selecting an emoji:
This option will only be available for messages with SMS recipients (indicated by
) or other Garmin Messenger app users (indicated by 
). Emoji reactions can be sent over internet or satellite and do not count towards any included message allotments on any plan except for the Enabled plan ($0.10 USD/$0.15 CAD per reaction on the Enabled plan).
- Emoji reactions are done by pressing and holding on a message in the Garmin Messenger™ app, then selecting an emoji:
How Many Included Messages Do I Get a Month?
The number of included messages depends on the level of service you signed up for. The number includes messages you send, and messages you receive. For example, if you message a friend and they message you back, that will count as two of your messages. Moving up on a Freedom Plan1 takes effect immediately and the remaining prepayment is pro-rated based from the renewal and any message overage will also be due. The new renewal date will now recur based on the date the service was upgraded.
| Plan | Text Messages | Photo/Voice Messages |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Plan | 50 | 10 |
| Standard Plan | 150 | 25 |
| Premium Plan | Unlimited | 50 |
| Safety Plan1 | 10 | N/A |
| Recreation Plan1 | 40 | N/A |
| Expedition Plan1 | Unlimited | N/A |
| Extreme Plan2 | Unlimited | N/A |
1 As of September 18, 2024, both the Annual and Freedom versions of Safety, Recreation, and Expedition plans are no longer available for purchase. All Existing Freedom plan users will be able to suspend and reactivate their service until their next annual renewal date unless they change to one of our newer plan options or cancel their subscription. All existing Annual plan users can remain in their plan until they change to one of our newer plan options or cancel their subscription. If you are unsure which plan you are on, you can check under Current Plan on the Home tab of your Garmin Explore web account.
2 As of November 1, 2019, Extreme subscriptions are no longer available for purchase. All existing Extreme plan users can remain in their plan until they change to one of our newer plan options or cancel their subscription. All features of the Extreme plan have moved to the Expedition plan. If you are unsure which plan you are on, you can check under Current Plan on the Home tab of your Garmin Explore web account.
How Am I Charged for Message Overages?
Each text message overage will cost $0.50 USD/$0.70 CAD, and each photo or voice message overage will cost $1 USD/$1.40 CAD. Overage charges will be applied to your monthly bill. For more information, refer to the following FAQs:
inReach Satellite Subscription Plan Pricing and Global Availability FAQ
Character Limits of Messages Sent and Received by an inReach SE/SE+/Explorer/Explorer+/Mini Device
Character Limits of Messages Sent and Received by GPSMAP 66i/86i/86sci and Montana 700i/750i
Character Limits of Messages Sent and Received in the Garmin Messenger App
Sending a Photo or Voice Message With the Garmin Messenger App
Where Can I Check My Current Message Usage?
You can see your message usage for the month on the Home tab of your Garmin Explore web account. You will find the totals under Current Monthly Usage.
If I Send a Check-In/Preset Message, Does It Count Against My Included Messages?
NOTE: Check-in messages have replaced preset messages as of September 27th, 2022. inReach® accounts set up prior to this date will still have preset messages available, but any new accounts created after this date will use check-in messages. For more details, see Related.
Sending or receiving a check-in/preset message is free. However, direct replies to these messages will count towards your plan's included message limits.
Do I Get Charged for Messages That People Send Me?
With the exception of check-in/preset messages sent from another inReach user, any messages sent to your inReach device will count towards your included message limits.
Text messages that exceed the 160 character limit (or 1,600 limit for the inReach Messenger Plus) will be broken up into multiple messages.
Text messages that include anything other than plain text (i.e. emojis, special symbols, etc.) may have to be broken up into multiple messages, even for seemingly short messages. For more information, refer to the following FAQs:
Do Group Messages Count as One Message?
Sending a group message counts as a single message. However, each reply to the group message will count towards your message limits.
How Are Message Charges Applied During an SOS?
Messages to Garmin Response during an SOS are not charged. For messages to anyone other than the Garmin Response during an SOS (local search and rescue teams, family, friends, etc.), standard messaging charges will be applied based on your plan.
If you have questions about using an SOS in specific scenarios, or have follow-up questions after having triggered an SOS for any reason, contact the Garmin Response℠ Center.