inReach Messages Not Received by a Phone Number (SMS Text Message)

Important First Steps

Review the common solutions in the following FAQ first before attempting any additional troubleshooting for issues with inReach messages not being received by a phone number (SMS text message):

inReach Messages Not Received by Contacts

Additional Troubleshooting for inReach SMS Messages

If inReach messages are still not received by a phone number (SMS text message) after reviewing the common solutions in inReach Messages Not Received by Contacts, proceed with the troubleshooting below.

NOTE: SMS messages to Telecom Personal Argentina or Georgia (country) subscribers cannot be delivered as there is currently no route available to this carrier through our international SMS delivery partner. Ghana does not currently have SMS messaging. Currently, there is also an issue with inReach messages being received by SMS phone numbers in Mexico, Romania and Saudi Arabia due to in country restrictions. Email is available. For more details, see - inReach Messages Not Received by SMS Phone Numbers in Mexico and inReach Messages Not Received by SMS Phone Numbers in Romania.

  • Verify the number for the contact is current, correct, and in the proper format.

    • VOIP numbers, such as Google Voice, do not work if they are setup as virtual numbers.

      • You will need to check with your provider to confirm the VOIP number is virtual.

    • The mobile phone number needs to be in the following format (minus the brackets): +[Country Code][SMS number].

  • If possible, confirm with the recipient that their phone settings or cellular provider are not blocking or filtering out the unique inReach number or content of the message. For general guidance on checking phone settings, see Apple Support: Block, filter, and report messages on iPhone or Google Help: Block someone in Messages on Android.

  • Confirm if the recipient has used the Garmin Messenger™ app previously. If they started using the Garmin Messenger app, then later uninstalled the app, additional steps are required to restore normal inReach message delivery to their phone number. For more details, see - inReach Messages Not Received After Uninstalling Garmin Messenger.

  • If using a Garmin app to send messages, verify that you are using the correct compatible app for your inReach device. Garmin offers multiple apps which are designed to be used with specific inReach models. For more details on app compatibility and pairing your inReach device, refer to the following FAQs:

  • If any changes were made on the Garmin Explore™ website regarding messages, sync your device.

    • Sync your device using either inReach Sync from the Garmin Explore website, or the appropriate mobile app for your device.

  • Confirm the inReach device can send and receive messages by sending a message to testinreach@garmin.com.

    • After sending the message, leave the device outside in a clear open view of the sky for 20-40 minutes to confirm the device is able to receive a reply.

  • Send an SMS text message and an e-mail to a recipient, preferably someone other than yourself. This is to test whether the issue persists, and also help pinpoint the root of the issue.

    • Have the recipient reply to either message received to see if the response is received on the inReach device as well.

  • If the inReach device is unable to send or receive SMS correspondence, but can send and receive e-mail correspondence, contact Product Support and provide the information below. To do so, visit the Product Support Contact Page and input your inReach device.

    1. inReach Account Holder Information

      • inReach Account Holder First and Last Name:

      • Email Address of the explore.garmin.com Login (Do not provide the password):

      • inReach Device IMEI:

      • Is the inReach device paired to the Garmin Messenger app? (Yes or No)

        • If Yes, what phone number is associated in the app?

      • Does Garmin have permission to access your message logs? (Yes or No)

    2. Recipients Information

      • SMS Phone Number of Recipient:

      • SMS Cellular Provider of Recipient:

      • SMS Cellular Provider Country:

      • Phone model:

      • Utilized the Garmin Messenger app: (Yes or No)

    3. If the Garmin Messenger app was used

      • When did messages last work?

      • Have there been any group messages? (Yes or No)

        • If yes - what phone numbers were involved?

    4. Date and Time of a Sent Message:

      • If it has been more than a few days, please try sending another message to the recipient to 1) verify if the issue is still occurring, and 2) ensure we have the most current information available when researching the issue.

    5. Has the recipient ever received SMS messages from the inReach? (Yes or No)

      • If the answer is Yes:

        • What number were SMS messages received from?

        • Has a SMS message reply from the above recipient been received by the inReach? (Yes or No)

    6. May our Engineering Team access your account? (Yes or No)

NOTE: Successful SMS message delivery and receipt depends on many factors, including but not limited to, local restrictions and laws related to international SMS, policies of individual SMS providers, and support for SMS carriers from the inReach SMS provider.
Garmin will work with the inReach SMS provider to attempt to work through or around any issues, however, successful message delivery or receipt is not guaranteed as defined in sections 1.4 and 4.5 of the inReach Terms & Conditions.

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