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Setting Up MapShare for the inReach Messenger Series

A core feature of the inReach® Messenger and inReach Messenger Plus satellite communicators is the option of allowing friends or relatives to follow your trip progress, the following article explains how to do this via your MapShare™ page. If you have enabled LiveTrack™ location sharing for your inReach device, or would like to learn more about LiveTrack, see - Setting up LiveTrack for inReach Devices in the Garmin Messenger app.

Use the instructions in this article to enable and configure your MapShare to match your preferences.

NOTE: MapShare can be viewed on both desktop and mobile browsers, but routes and activities will only be visible when accessing MapShare via a computer. Tracks and waypoints will be visible on both desktop and mobile browsers.

Enabling Your MapShare Page

Follow the instructions below to turn on your MapShare page from the Garmin Messenger™ app (when mobile data or Wi-Fi is available). You can also access this setting by logging in to your account at the Garmin Explore™ website, then select the MapShare tab.

  1. Open the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select the profile icon or Gear Symbol in the top left.

  3. Select MapShare.

  4. Select MapShare: Off. You will then be prompted to consent to the use of MapShare.
    If you see MapShare: On, no action is needed as MapShare is already on.

    MapShare Consent Check Box

NOTE: As of May 25, 2018, opt-in consent was required for enabling MapShare. If you previously had MapShare enabled and choose not to opt in, your MapShare will be deactivated. To enable MapShare, follow the steps above. Once you have opted in to MapShare, you can disable or enable without having to consent again. 

MapShare Settings and Filters

There are settings and filter options so you can customize your MapShare page to suit your preferences. For example, you can set a password to restrict who accesses your MapShare and sees your locations. Use the instructions below to customize your MapShare settings and filters from the Garmin Messenger™ app (when mobile data or Wi-Fi is available). You can also access these settings by logging in to your account at the Garmin Explore™ website, then select the MapShare tab.

  1. Open the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select the profile icon or Gear Symbol in the top left.

  3. Select MapShare.

  4. Select MapShare Settings or Filter MapShare Data and make desired changes.

    MapShare Settings

    • Name and/or Description - These fields are optional to personalize your MapShare. For example: If you were traveling to Yosemite for a week with your family, you could put a name like "Family Yosemite Trip" and give a description of the trip, such as "We are hiking and camping near Mariposa Grove for the week. Enjoy following our adventure!".

    • Password - Adding a password allows for greater control of who is able to view locations and messages shared to your MapShare. Only people with the password will be able to log in and view your MapShare.

    • Allow map viewers to send you messages and/or Allow map viewers to locate you - Checking these boxes allows viewers certain options, such as sending a message to your inReach device through MapShare without you messaging them first, or requesting the location of your inReach device.

      • NOTE: The options will still be visible if these boxes are unchecked, but viewers will not be able to use them.

    • Show waypoints created in the field on MapShare - This setting is for use with earlier models and is not applicable for the inReach Messenger or inReach Messenger Plus.

    Filter MapShare Data

    • Hide Older MapShare Tracking Data - This allows you to set a date, and hide all track data from that date and older. This is an easy way to make sure that only your most recent track data shows on MapShare.

    • Make Collections Visible on MapShare - Your collections contain waypoints, routes, tracks, and activities, and sometimes you may not wish to share that data. Use this filter to only share collections that you would like others to see. This can also be useful for ensuring the map for your viewers is not cluttered.
      The Sent to MapShare collection will not be listed here because it is a collection permanently shared to your MapShare page and can only be turned off when MapShare is disabled.

    • Choose Primary Collection for the Earthmate® App - Set the primary collection to determine where new data from the Earthmate app is stored. If that same collection is also selected under Make Collections Visible on MapShare, the data will also display on MapShare.

  5. Select Save Changes.

Editing the MapShare Link

Editing your MapShare link can be helpful for many reasons, such as:

  • Preventing previous viewers from re-accessing your MapShare

  • Customizing the link your friends and family use to access your MapShare

Follow the steps below to edit your MapShare link from the Garmin Messenger™ app (when mobile data or Wi-Fi is available). You can also access this setting by logging in to your account at the Garmin Explore™ website, then select the MapShare tab.

  1. Open the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select the profile icon or Gear Symbol in the top left.

  3. Select MapShare.

  4. Select Pencil Icon next to your current link.

    Example of Your MapShare Address

The customizable portion of the link is limited to 100 characters and cannot have any spaces, punctuation, or special characters.

Sharing Your MapShare Page From the Garmin Messenger™ App

Use the instructions below to easily share your MapShare page with others.

  1. Open the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select Device Messenger App Device Icon.

  3. Select Tracking inReach Messenger Tracking Icon.

  4. Select Hyperlink Icon for Android or iPhone Share Icon for iPhone.

  5. Select an option based on the type of phone you are using:

    Android

    • Send to...: Compose a new inReach message that will include a link to your MapShare page. In the To field you can add one or more contacts to send the message to.

    • Share: Share your MapShare link with other apps on your phone.

    • Copy Link: Copy your MapShare link and paste it into a message, email, or other app.

    iPhone

    • Select a Recipient From Your Phone's Contacts: This option requires cellular data to share your MapShare link using your phone's default text messaging app.

      Selecting a Phone Contact

    • Select an App (e.g. Messenger): This option shares your MapShare link with an app of your choice. Sharing via apps other than Garmin Messenger will require Wi-fi or cellular data to send. To share your MapShare link in an inReach message, select Messenger, then in the To field you can add one or more contacts to send the message to.

      Share to an App

    • Copy: Copy your MapShare link and paste it into a message, email, or other app.

      Copy to Clipboard

Sharing Your MapShare Page From the Garmin Explore™ Website

Use the instructions below to easily share your MapShare page from your inReach account using email.

  1. Log in to your account at the Garmin Explore website.

  2. Select MapShare.
    NOTE    : On mobile browsers, select Two Horizontal Lines Icon in the top left, then MapShare.

  3. Select Share.

    MapShare Share Button

  4. Select Email to send a message via email with your MapShare link.

Sending a Message to Your MapShare Page

Messages only go to your MapShare if you specifically address the message to MapShare page using the Garmin Messenger™ app. Doing so is helpful for letting viewers know when you are heading out, stopping for the night, general check in, etc.

Use the steps below to send a message to your MapShare page with the Garmin Messenger app.

  1. Open the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select Messages Word Bubbles Icon.

  3. Select Pencil Icon Android (Android) or Pencil Icon iPhone (iPhone).

  4. In the To field, tap Plus Symbol.

  5. Select MapShare.

  6. Tap on the Start a new post field, then compose and send your message.

Your message will now appear on your MapShare page at the location from which it was sent.

Example of MapShare Message

Changing Map Unit Settings and Position Format for MapShare

If you wish to change the map units and position format on your MapShare page you will need to change the settings from the Garmin Explore™ website. For steps, see - Changing Map Unit Settings and Position Format on the Garmin Explore Website.

All track points sent from your inReach device are automatically sent to your MapShare page. For steps on sending your track data to MapShare, see - Getting Started With Tracking on the inReach Messenger Series.

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iPhone, iPad, and Apple are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

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