inReach Message Sent but Did Not Include Location or Location Is Inaccurate

For outgoing inReach® messages, you can include your location so the recipient will receive coordinates from where the message was sent. For messages sent to an email address, coordinates will be included automatically along with a link that shows your location on a map. For messages sent to an inReach address, coordinates will be included automatically. For SMS messages, location sharing needs to be enabled for this to function. For more information, see - Enabling inReach SMS Messages to Include Coordinates, Map and Signature.

inReach devices use GPS for location data and Iridium satellites for communication. Both require a clear view of the sky to ensure a good connection.

What Happens When There is Poor GPS Signal or No GPS Signal?

• SMS will still be sent, but either may not provide the location, or may show an inaccurate location if there is poor or no GPS signal. At times, it may not include a location link at all.

• Email should always include a location link, but either may not show a location, or may return an error that the location is not available if there is poor or no GPS signal.

For more details on troubleshooting satellite reception issues, see - Poor Satellite Reception on an inReach.

What if I am Sending Messages With the Earthmate® App, the Garmin Explore App, or the Garmin Messenger™ App?

If using the Earthmate app, the Garmin Explore app, or the Garmin Messenger app, this introduces another variable into the mix.

Even though the inReach device is providing the satellite connection, these apps also depend on the location services of the mobile device to be enabled and functional in order to provide correct locations. Generally, location services can be enabled from the mobile device's settings. It is also recommended to have Precise Location enabled otherwise the app may only have an approximate location. For more details on enabling these settings, see:

• Apple Support - Turn Location Services and GPS on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

• Google Account Help - Choose which apps use your Android phone’s location

Additionally, you have the ability to enable or disable location sharing for messages sent through these apps. For more information, refer to the following articles:

• Adding Location to Messages Sent by Earthmate

• Adding or Removing Location Links to SMS Messages Sent from the Garmin Explore App.

• Adding or Removing Location Links to SMS Messages Sent from the Garmin Messenger App

IMPORTANT: If you are seeing No Location Data Available on your messages, this is due to the location being disabled in the app you are utilizing. 

My Recipient Received a Location Link, but the Link Is Not Working

Ensure that the recipient has not saved the phone number from your message(s) to an existing contact on their phone. On iPhone this can cause location links to be disabled. For more details, see - Tips for Responding to inReach Messages on iPhone.

Error "We could not find this message. Check that the URL is correct, or try again"

This error is usually the result of opening a location link within the first few minutes of receiving it. There is a brief processing delay of a few minutes after the message has been sent, so if this error occurs simply wait a few minutes and try opening the link again.

Will This Affect Being Able to Find Me if I Use the SOS?

Understandably, this may cause concern on how this affects coordinates sent to Garmin Response if an SOS is triggered.

Be assured that even if the device has not acquired or has poor satellite connection at the time an SOS is triggered, it will still send the alert to Garmin Response with the rough area of your location and will continue sending them tracking points to hone in on your precise area.

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.