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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:
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
Enabling Prefer Device Location
Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select
Map.
Select
.
Select
.
Select Map Settings.
Ensure that Prefer Device Location is toggled on.
If the toggle is set to
, your device location is being used while an activity is in progress.
Enabling Sync Current Activity
Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select
Devices.
Select the connected device.
Ensure that Sync Current Activity is toggled on.
If the toggle is set to
, 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.
NOTE: For more information on using Current Activity, see - Using Current Activity on the Garmin Explore App.