Pairing an inReach Mini With a Phone or Tablet and Activating a Subscription

The inReach® Mini satellite communicator can be paired with a mobile device to compose, send, and receive messages using the interface of your mobile device. 

Using the inReach Mini with your mobile device will require the Earthmate® app. If an inReach satellite subscription has not yet been activated for the device, the Earthmate app will also allow you to activate a subscription.

If you are pairing a device that is not your original device, you may see the following error:  

This message is referencing the data on the device, rather than the account data in the Earthmate app. The replacement device is syncing with the account for the first time, therefore, data on the device can be overwritten by account data syncing over. When this pairing is complete, some data may stay on the device, while other data may get overwritten by the account's data. 

If you are concerned about losing data we recommend verifying if the data appears on the map tab on your account at explore.garmin.com. If the data is not showing, your original device would need to be synced before transferring service to a different device and pairing it to Earthmate. For steps, see - Updating inReach Firmware and Syncing Account Changes with inReach Sync.

Pairing and Activating

NOTES: If you are pairing a new device, proceed with the steps below. If you have a device that was acquired second-hand, it may need to be reset before proceeding with these steps. To reset the device, see - Full Reset of the inReach Mini. 

1. Setting up the Earthmate App

1. Install and open the Earthmate® app.

2. Tap Next.

3. Tap Next after reading and agreeing to the EULA.

4. Select Create Account, then enter your name, email, and a password and select Next.

   • NOTE: If you already have a Garmin account or have previously used other Garmin apps such as Garmin Connect™ or Garmin Explore™ you can select Sign In (or Continue as ['username'], if prompted).

5. Follow the prompts for maps and cloud storage:
   • To download maps tap Download or Not Now to skip. Maps can be downloaded at a later time, see - Downloading and Managing Maps With the Earthmate App.
   • To enable cloud storage tap Enable Cloud Storage or Not Now to skip. This setting can be adjusted later by selecting  (Android™) or More (iPhone®/iPad®), then Account and Sync > Data and Privacy > Cloud Storage.

2. Pairing the inReach Mini

1. On the inReach® Mini handheld, select Skip if you are prompted to activate.

2. From the home screen on the inReach Mini, arrow down until you reach the Bluetooth page, then press OK.

3. Select Pair Device or Pair Again.

4. In the Earthmate app, touch from the top of the Map page.

   • If you do not see the icon select More > Options > Pair Device.

5. Select Garmin inReach Mini.

6. Touch Connect.

7. Touch the inReach device once it appears in the list under Select An Accessory or Available Devices.

   NOTE: It may take 1-2 minutes for the device to appear in the list.

8. Follow the prompts on your mobile device to enable permissions and finish pairing.

If an inReach plan has not yet been activated, continue with the steps below to activate. If an inReach plan was already activated previously, you will not be prompted to activate and the inReach Mini will be ready to use with the app.

3. Activating an inReach Plan

NOTE: Credit or debit card information needs to be provided in order to complete the activation steps below.

1. After completing the steps above for pairing, if necessary select (Android) or More (iPhone/iPad), then My inReach > Activate.

2. If prompted, sign in again.

3. Choose between inReach Essential, inReach Standard, and inReach Premium plans.

   Tap Select This Plan for the chosen plan.

4. SOS step:

   • Read through the included SOS benefits, then click Next.

   • If desired, choose Add for one of the Search and Rescue (SAR) insurance plans. This is not required. Once finished, select Next or Skip.

5. Select the box to agree to automatic renewal, enter the names of the insured individual and beneficiary if SAR was added, then select Next.

6. Review the terms and conditions, then select Accept & Continue.

7. Enter your billing information, then select Next.
   

8. Enter your emergency information (or select the box for Same as Billing Info), then select Next.

   • Emergency Notes is a good place to add information of any known medical concerns. If you have additional coverage for medical evacuation or search and rescue, you can include that and how to get in contact with the company providing that service. Example:

     

9. Add Emergency contacts information, then select Next.

10. Review all entered information to confirm it is correct, then enter your payment information.

11. Check the box to authorize use of this payment method for future account charges, then select Complete Activation or Confirm Purchase.

12. Once the activation is processing you can select Close.

    

After completing the steps in the app, take the inReach Mini outside, ensure that it has a clear view of the sky, then follow the prompts on the inReach Mini to complete the activation. If this was skipped on the handheld previously, arrow down from the home screen, press OK on the Activation page, then proceed through the prompts until the device displays Sending Activation and wait for the activation to complete.