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Frequently Asked Questions About the Garmin Explore App
The Garmin Explore app is a robust mobile application designed to add to your outdoor experience. Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the Garmin Explore app. Additional information about the application can also be found in the
related articles
at the bottom of the page.
Overview
- Garmin Explore is the app companion for compatible Garmin GPS-enabled devices and outdoor adventurers. For more information on that, see - Garmin Explore App Overview.
Setup and Limits
How Do I Begin Using the Garmin Explore App?
- To use the Garmin Explore app, you must first have a compatible device. For a list of compatible devices, see - Devices Compatible With the Garmin Explore App.
- Download and install the Garmin Explore app from Google Play or the App Store. Once installed, sign in with your Garmin account, or create a Garmin account if you do not already have one.
- You can then pair your compatible device. For more details, see Pairing below.
How Many Phones or Devices Can I Use the Garmin Explore App On?
- Multiple phones or tablets can be used to access and view your data. The Garmin accounts just need to match.
- Example: You can use the large screen of a tablet to plan a trip and view larger maps, sync that data to the web, sync to your phone, and be off on the trail with the more compact, lightweight phone that is syncing data to both a watch and handheld.
- Garmin devices are limited to pairing and connecting with one mobile device at a time, so be sure you are paired and synced with the mobile device you will have with you prior to hitting the trail so you have all the data you need.
How Many Waypoints, Routes, and Tracklogs Can the Garmin Explore App Store and Display?
- There is no limit for the number of waypoints, routes, or tracklogs the Garmin Explore app can store or display.
Pairing
For pairing instructions, refer to the FAQ that applies to the device you have:
Mapping and Downloads
What Is Digital Atlas of the Earth and How Is It Different From Topo North America?
- Digital Atlas of the Earth is a topographic map dataset with data for land areas around the entire world. Topo North America is a more detailed topographic dataset with data for North America only. In regions where both Digital Atlas of the Earth and Topo North America are available, the Topo North America dataset will provide a more detailed map.
How Many Maps Can I Download?
- There is no limit set by the application to the number of maps that can be downloaded. However, maps do take up space in your phone's memory. The only limit is the amount of free space your phone has available. If you do not have enough memory to download mapping on your phone, try clearing some space on your phone.
Library & Collections
What Is the Library?
- The Garmin Explore app library contains the GPS data from the Garmin. The library is automatically synchronized between Garmin Explore app and Garmin Explore website. If you add, update or delete a library item in the app, it will automatically be added, updated, or deleted on the website, and any relevant collections and devices.
What Are Collections?
- Collections are groups of data that you create. The same item from the library can be added to more than one collection.
- NOTE: Large collections that may not sync to your device are marked with
. Large collections usually contain over 100 waypoints, 20 routes, 5 tracks, or a track with over 10,000 points.
- NOTE: Large collections that may not sync to your device are marked with
- Collections can be used to:
- Organize data in the library
- Control what displays on the map:
- Touch the Map Layer icon on the map then Collections and toggle which collections you would like to view on the map page
- Control sync using collections for each device:
- For new customers, the default setting will be to sync everything in your Library when you pair a new device. On the devices tab, you can set a primary collection (new data from your device syncs to your primary collection). You can also select specific collections to control what data in your library gets synced to your device. When you update a collection, the data will automatically be updated on any device that collection is synced with.
What Data Can Be Stored in the Library & Collections?
- Waypoints (called Locations on some Garmin devices)
- Tracks (called Courses on some Garmin devices)
- Routes (also called Courses on some Garmin devices)
- Activities
Syncing Data
How Does Sync Work With Garmin Explore?
- Device sync: A Bluetooth connection is used to automatically sync data between your Garmin device(s) and the Garmin Explore app.
- Web sync: Garmin Explore uses an Internet connection to automatically sync data between the Garmin Explore app and the Garmin Explore website. You can see the time of the last successful sync for each in the app. You can also manually start a web or device sync.
What Information Gets Synced Between the Garmin Explore App and My Garmin Devices(s)?
- Waypoints, tracks, routes, and activities from your Garmin devices are synced to the Garmin Explore app. Waypoints, tracks, and routes are synced from the app to your Garmin device (but not activities).
- inReach Contacts created in either the Garmin Explore app or on the Garmin Explore website sync to a compatible inReach handheld with an active subscription. Contacts created on the device sync to the Garmin Explore app.
- System Contacts from the contact list on the smartphone can sync to a device after they have been created as a Contact in the Garmin Explore app.
What Information Gets Synced Between the Garmin Explore App and the Garmin Explore Website?
- Data in the Garmin Explore Library is synced between the Garmin Explore app and the Garmin Explore website automatically when the smartphone is connected to the Internet. This includes waypoints, tracks, routes, and activities.
- inReach Contacts created on the Garmin Explore Website are synced to the Garmin Explore app when a web sync is performed. Contacts created in the Garmin Explore app are synced to the Garmin Explore website.
What Happens if I Edit Something in the Garmin Explore App at the Same Time I Edit It on the Garmin Explore Website, or on My Garmin Device?
- If a library item is edited in multiple places, whichever changes were made last will be reflected after the sync has completed.
Power Usage
How Much of an Impact Will the Garmin Explore App Have on the Battery Life of My Phone?
- The Garmin Explore app uses location services of your phone. Impact to the battery life of your phone should be the same as any other application that uses location services.
Location
How Does the Garmin Explore App Determine Location?
- The Garmin Explore app uses your mobile device's location services (GPS, cellular triangulation, etc.) for providing location in the application. The application does not receive any location information from the paired watch, handheld, or inReach device. For more information, see - Blank Map, Incorrect Location, or No Location in the Garmin Explore App.