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Blank Map, Incorrect Location, or No Location in the Garmin Explore App

If the Garmin Explore™ app is showing a question mark for location or not displaying location data correctly, ensure that your Garmin device is connected and that your phone or tablet's location services are enabled. The Garmin Explore app has the ability to select where it gathers location data from to display your position. The Garmin Explore app will use your mobile phone or tablet's location services (GPS, cell tower triangulation) to display your position. Without access to your phone or tablet's location, the Garmin Explore app will not display correctly. The app does not receive any location information from the paired watch, handheld, or inReach device unless you are using the sync current activity option.

Generally, location services can be toggled on from the mobile phone or tablet'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:

Enabling Prefer Device Location

  1. Open the Garmin Explore app.

  2. Select Unfolded Map Symbol Map.

  3. Select Three Stacked Layers.

  4. Select Three Dots in a Box.

  5. Select Map Settings.

  6. Ensure that Prefer Device Location is toggled on.

    If the toggle is set to Toggle On, your device location is being used while an activity is in progress.


Enabling Sync Current Activity

  1. Open the Garmin Explore app.

  2. Select Watch and Handheld Devices.

  3. Select the connected device.

  4. Ensure that Sync Current Activity is toggled on.

    If the toggle is set to Toggle On, your device location is being used for real-time data updates, including navigation.


What Current Activity Looks Like

When your device is properly paired and actively navigating or tracking, the position triangle is blue and the Bluetooth symbol is shown in the center (shown below) which indicates the paired device is providing location.

This is meant to be an indicator that the Garmin Explore app is in active mode, instead of displaying previously recorded tracks.

Garmin Explore App Sync Current Activity

NOTE: For more information on using Current Activity, see - Using Current Activity on the Garmin Explore App.