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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 (or 1,600 limit for the inReach Plus devices) will be split into multiple messages and will be counted accordingly on the invoice. For more information, see - Character Limits of inReach Text Messages.

  • Received Text Messages

    • System generated messages from noreply.inreach@garmin.com may also count. For example, if you attempt to send a MapShare™ link before enabling the MapShare feature, the following message will be sent to your inReach device and will count towards your plan's included message limits:

      "You cannot use MapShare until you give consent at explore.garmin.com to post your data online."

  • 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 (for all plans except Enabled)

    • 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.

    • Any preset or check-in messages used on an Enabled plan cost $0.10 USD/$0.15 CAD each.

    • Each inbound response counts as a message against your limits.

  • Inbound preset or check-in messages received from another inReach user (for all plans except Enabled)

    • Any preset or check-in messages used on an Enabled plan cost $0.10 USD/$0.15 CAD each.

  • 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.

  • 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:

      Example of Emoji Reaction

      This option will only be available for messages with SMS recipients (indicated by SMS message to non app user) or other Garmin Messenger app users (indicated by Message Bubbles). 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).

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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. When changing between Enabled, Essential, Standard, or Premium tiers on the newer inReach Consumer plans, upgrades take effect immediately and the remaining duration of the current bill cycle and monthly message allotment are pro-rated accordingly within 24 hours. The new renewal date will recur based on the date the service was upgraded.

Message Allotments

Plan

Check-In/Preset

Messages

Text

Messages

Photo/Voice

Messages

Enabled Plan$0.10 USD/$0.15 CAD each$0.50 USD/$0.70 CAD each$1 USD/$1.40 CAD each
Essential PlanUnlimited5010
Standard PlanUnlimited15025
Premium PlanUnlimitedUnlimited50
Safety Plan1Unlimited10N/A
Recreation Plan1Unlimited40N/A
Expedition Plan1UnlimitedUnlimitedN/A
Extreme Plan2UnlimitedUnlimitedN/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.

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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:

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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.

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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 (except for the Enabled plan). Direct replies to these messages will count towards your plan's included message limits.

Any preset or check-in messages used on an Enabled plan cost $0.10 USD/$0.15 CAD each.

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Do I Get Charged for Messages That People Send Me?

With the exception of check-in/preset messages sent from another inReach user (on all plans other than the Enabled plan), 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 Plus devices) 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:

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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.

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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.

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