Editing Check-In Contacts on the Garmin Explore Website

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.

Check-in messages are a convenient way to send messages to a specific group of friends and family. There are three check-in messages to choose from:

•  I'm checking in, everything is okay.

•  I'm starting my trip.

•  I'm ending my trip.

The content of the check-in messages cannot be changed, but the recipient list can be edited on the Garmin Explore™ website. Editing any one of the check-ins will update the recipient list for all three check-in messages.

Editing Check-In Contacts

1. Log into the Garmin Explore website.

2. Select MESSAGES at the top of the page.

   NOTE: On mobile browsers, select  in the top left, then MESSAGES.

3. Select Edit next to any one of the three check-in messages.

   

4. Enter the recipients.

   • You can enter email addresses, SMS numbers, or inReach® addresses. SMS numbers must be entered as (minus the brackets): +[Country Code][SMS number]. For more information on country codes, see - https://countrycode.org/.

   • Separate each number or address with a comma. For example: fake@garmin.com, +18008001020.

   • NOTE: There is no specific limit on how many recipients you can enter, but it is important to consider your plan's included satellite text message limit. For example, if you enter 10 recipients and they all reply to your check-in message, those replies would quickly use up the text message limit on a Safety plan.

     

5. If desired, select the checkbox next to MapShare to send your Check-In Messages to the MapShare™ page.

   NOTE: This option only appears if you have enabled the MapShare feature from your online account under MAPSHARE.

6. Select Save.

The recipient list for all three check-in messages will be updated. When finished, sync your device so the Check-In Messages are updated on the inReach handheld.

IMPORTANT: After editing Check-In messages on the Garmin Explore website, you may need to force close the Garmin Messenger™ app on your phone for these messages to update within the app, then reopen it.
For steps on how an app is force-closed on iPhone® or iPod touch®, see - Apple support - Close an app on your iPhone or iPod touch
For steps on how an app is force-closed on an Android™ smartphone, see - Android support - Find, open & close apps on Android

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Adding Location to Check-In Messages

Location information can be included with Check-In Messages by configuring SMS message preferences in Account settings on the Garmin Explore website. Location data is automatically included for Check-In Messages sent to email recipients.

1. Log into the Garmin Explore website.

2. Select ACCOUNT at the top of the page.

   NOTE: On mobile browsers, select  in the top left, then ACCOUNT.
   

3. Scroll down the page to SMS Message Configuration.

4. Check the first two boxes to include location.

   

NOTE: The position format for latitude and longitude coordinates sent with Check-In messages is set to Decimal Degrees (WGS84) by default and cannot be changed.

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