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Garmin Explore App Guest Device
When pairing a compatible inReach® handheld device1 in the Garmin Explore™ app, it will automatically be labeled as a Guest Device if you have signed in with a different email than what was used when activating the inReach satellite subscription for that device.
This allows users with an active inReach satellite subscription to share or lend their inReach device to others without changing any of their settings in their personal Garmin Explore app account. The lendee is then able to use their own Garmin Explore account to sync waypoints, tracks, routes, activities, or courses with the device while still having access to basic satellite messaging functions and SOS.
If the handheld is showing as a Guest Device unintentionally (in the Devices section of the app), see -
Guest Device Showing Unintentionally
.
Important Notes
All inReach services from the borrowed or shared device are still attached to the Garmin Explore account of the lender.
All inReach subscription charges will continue to go to the account of the lender.
The inReach account subscriber can uncheck "Include My Name As A Signature" under the SMS Message Configuration settings in their account. If this is left checked, every message sent will have the account holder's name attached. For more details, see - Editing inReach SMS Message Coordinates, Map, and Signature Settings.
The inReach handheld can only be paired with one phone at a time and a data connection is needed to sign in to any new accounts when pairing the handheld.
Any additional Search And Rescue (SAR) coverage applies to the account owner and does not cover the lendee. If the lendee wishes to have SAR coverage, they will need to purchase or use their own benefit coverage. For more details and purchase options, visit - SAR Insurance.
Setting Up a Guest Device as the Lendee
If you do not want all the lender's data on the handheld, be sure to reset it.
Pair the device to your Garmin Explore app. When prompted, sign in or create an account using your own email address.
inReach Service Features for a Shared Guest Device
Messages will appear to be sent from the lender's account. The lender's Garmin Explore account will keep these messages.
Check-Ins ( formerly known as Presets) cannot be edited when a guest device is being used. If sent, they will send based on the lender's Garmin Explore account setup.
Quick texts are not available when a guest device is being used.
When using a device as a guest, new contacts must be manually added to the device. Contacts in the Garmin Explore app will not sync to guest devices.
Sending a Message
Open the Garmin Explore app.
Touch
Messages on the bottom of the app.
Touch
.
Select or type the desired recipient using one of the available methods:
Select
(iOS) or
(Android) to select one of your saved inReach contacts (if available). From this page you can also select
to create a new contact or import system contacts.
Tap the To: field, begin typing a contact name, then select the direct contact method from the list that appears.
Tap the To: field and manually enter a phone number, email address, or inReach address.
Repeat step 4 for any additional recipient(s) you wish to add to the message.
Compose the message.
Tap
to send the message.
The LiveTrack or MapShare tracking page will appear under the lender's Garmin Explore account when Tracking is used. Tracking can be started or stopped in the Garmin Explore app, but the app does not provide a way to share a link to the tracking page when a guest device is being used.
NOTE: If a link to the tracking page needs to be shared with someone, this can be done directly from the inReach device. Either a LiveTrack link or a MapShare link will be sent, depending on which the lender has enabled on their account. For instructions, refer to Sharing Your MapShare Web Page in the device owner's manual.
Using Tracking in the Garmin Explore App
Ensure the paired inReach device is powered on, then open the Garmin Explore app.
Select
Devices.
Select Tracking under inReach Features.
A check in the corner of the button indicates Tracking is in progress.
Start inReach Tracking by touching the triangle in the orange circle.
NOTE: The tracking interval is set to 10 minutes by default. You can select the listed interval to change it if desired.
When you are ready to stop the tracking, touch the square in the orange circle.
Touch Stop Tracking when prompted to confirm.
The lender's previous weather reports will appear on the inReach device and the lendee's Garmin Explore app account. For more details on using this feature, see - Requesting Weather Forecasts With the Garmin Explore App.
SOS will appear from the lender's Garmin Explore account, but the Garmin Response™ team is notified it is a guest device so they are aware it has been borrowed.
TIP: The lender can also update the Emergency Notes section of their account to include details for the person borrowing the inReach (name, dates they are using it, their emergency contacts, etc.). For more details, see - Adding or Updating Emergency Notes on an inReach Account.
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.
If the handheld is showing as a Guest Device unintentionally (in the Devices section of the app), this can be resolved by signing out of the app and signing back in with the email that was used when activating the inReach subscription.
Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select the profile icon in the top left.
Select Sign Out.
Sign back into the app using the same email address that was used when initially activating the inReach.
Follow the prompts to add the device in the app.
1 Compatible devices include Alpha® 200i, Alpha® 300i, GPSMAP® 66i, GPSMAP® 67i, GPSMAP® 86i, GPSMAP® 86sci, inReach Messenger Plus, inReach Mini 2, Montana® 700i, Montana® 710i, Montana® 750i, and Montana® 760i.