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Pairing an inReach SE or Explorer With a Phone or Tablet and Activating a Subscription

Your inReach SE® or inReach Explorer® handheld can be paired with a mobile device and the Earthmate® app to write, send, and receive messages using the interface of your mobile phone or tablet. Follow the instructions below to pair an inReach SE or inReach Explorer handheld to a mobile device. 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:  

Warning Regarding Deleted Data

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

NOTE: 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 - Performing a Factory Reset on an inReach SE or inReach Explorer.

If you are prompted to activate the inReach device as soon as it is powered on, and therefore unable to pair it with Earthmate, the inReach device can be activated online through our website first before following the steps below to pair it in the Earthmate app. For instructions, see - How to Activate an inReach Device on the Garmin Explore Website.

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. Tap Not Now when prompted to download maps.

  6. Tap Enable Cloud Storage (or Not Now).

    • This setting can be adjusted later by selecting Three horizontal lines (Android™) or More (iPhone®/iPad®), then Account and SyncData and Privacy > Cloud Storage.

2. Pairing the inReach Device

  1. On the inReach® device, select Settings.

  2. Select Bluetooth.

  3. Select Pair inReach.

  4. Select Pair inReach again.

    • NOTE: If previously paired, select Pair Again instead.

  5. In the Earthmate app, touch Handheld Device and Bluetooth Symbol from the top of the Map page.

  6. Select your inReach model.

  7. Touch Connect.

  8. 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.

  9. 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 More > My inReach, then select Activate Now when prompted.

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

    Tap Select This Plan for the chosen plan.

  3. 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.

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

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

  6. Enter your billing information, then select Next.

  7. 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:

      SOS Contact and Information for Medical Evacuation Coverage

  8. Add Emergency contacts information, then select Next.

  9. Review all entered information to confirm it is correct, then enter your credit card information.

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

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

    Processing Your Purchase

After completing the steps in the app, take the inReach device outside, ensure that it has a clear view of the sky, then follow the prompts on the inReach SE to complete the activation.

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