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Getting Started With the Garmin Explore App Map Page

The Map page of the Garmin Explore™ app is used to view tracking and location information of compatible devices, as well as creating and managing data like waypoints, tracks, courses, etc. Map details like roads, trails, geographic locations, and topography can be streamed and displayed automatically while an internet connection is available. Map layers can also be downloaded to use offline for areas where no internet connection will be available.

This article provides a detailed explanation of the information provided on this page.

Garmin Explore App Map Page

Blue Triangle Current Location

The blue triangle represents your location on the map. Your approximate location on the map is where the different shades of blue converge inside the triangle. When recording an activity or track on a connected Garmin device, a light blue line of your recorded path will be displayed behind the triangle as you move.

Arrow With Line 

If multiple Garmin devices are connected and recording simultaneously, there may be overlapping lines for each device. You can tap on the map to see a list of the tracks or activities being recorded from each connected device.
Multiple Activity Recordings

Layers Icon Map Layers

The Map page of the Garmin Explore™ app offers multiple map products to help plan your next trip, or view your activity data. From here you can choose which maps to display, change the map theme to adjust the appearance of the map for your activity type (Hike, Road Bike, Mountain Bike, or Ski), or access Map Settings to control things like:

  • Offline Maps Only - Toggle on/off for the use of offline maps. When toggled on, the app will only use offline maps that have been downloaded for drawing, routing, searching, and elevation. When toggled off, the app will stream maps for drawing, routing, searching, and elevation when an internet connection is available.

  • Auto Downloads - Toggle on/off for automatically downloading maps when you pan to a new area on the map without offline maps.

  • Download Over - Choose between Wi-Fi Only or Wi-Fi or Cellular for automatic map downloads.

For more details on Map Settings, see - Map Display Settings in the Garmin Explore App.

For detailed instructions on downloading maps, see - Downloading Maps With the Garmin Explore App.

For descriptions and map legends for each of the available map products, see - Garmin Explore App Map Features and Legend.

Plus SymbolIcon

Selecting the plus icon gives you options to create a waypoint, create a course, create an offline map, create a collection, or import a GPX file.

Garmin Explore App Add

For more details on each of these options, refer to the following FAQs:

Magnifying Glass Search Icon

The search feature allows you to search for points of interest (POI) or items in your library. When you select a POI the app will show you the location on the map. Swipe left or right through the search results at the bottom of the map or select View List.

By default the app will stream maps for searching when an internet connection is available. Address search is only available with an internet connection.

If no internet connection is available, or if Offline Maps Only is toggled on in the Map Settings, the app will only search using offline maps. POI search will still be available without an internet connection as long as a TopoActive map for the area being searched has been downloaded.

For more details on Map Settings, see - Map Display Settings in the Garmin Explore App.

POI Search Results

Pointer Arrow Position Pointer

The position pointer arrow gives you two options for navigation: track up and north up. These settings are changed by tapping on the arrow.
If you have panned over to a different area of the map, tapping the arrow will re-center the map over your current location.

Track Up

When the app is in track up mode you will see a line above the arrow. That indicates the app is using track up mode. This will orient the map so the arrow on the map will always have your direction of travel towards the top of the map. The arrow below will show the direction of North.
Garmin Explore App Track Up Arrow

North Up

The north up option will only show the arrow. With north up enabled the top of the map will always be north of your location. The arrow on the map will change based on your direction of travel.
Garmin Explore App North Up Arrow

Orange Dot Next to Profile Icon Notification Dot

An orange dot appears next to the profile icon if there are new notifications, such as an update to the app or new features in the app. Select the profile icon and the notification(s) will be displayed above the list of app settings.

Notification Example

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