Select your product to confirm this information applies to you

Setting up MapShare in the Garmin Explore App

A core feature of inReach® satellite communicators is the option of allowing others to follow your trip progress. By default, new inReach subscribers will be prompted to use LiveTrack™ location sharing for this feature. The following article explains how to do this via a MapShare™ page, which is an alternative method for sharing your trip progress and offers more ways to customize how you share tracking information. If you have enabled LiveTrack for your inReach device, or would like to learn more about LiveTrack, see - Setting up LiveTrack for inReach Devices in the Garmin Explore app.

Use the instructions in this article to enable and configure your MapShare when using the Garmin Explore™ app with a compatible inReach satellite communicator.

NOTE: MapShare can be viewed on both desktop and mobile browsers, but routes and activities will only be visible when accessing MapShare via a computer. Tracks and waypoints will be visible on both desktop and mobile browsers.

Enabling Your MapShare Page

Follow the instructions below to turn on your MapShare page from the Garmin Explore app (when mobile data or Wi-Fi is available). You can also access this setting by logging in to your account at the Garmin Explore™ website, then select the MapShare tab.

Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select the profile icon in the top left.
Select either LiveTrack or MapShare, depending on which option you have available.
- If you have LIVETRACK available, select Switch to MapShare after selecting LiveTrack.
- If you already have MAPSHARE available, proceed to step 4 after selecting MAPSHARE.
Select MapShare: Off. You will then be prompted to consent to the use of MapShare.If you see MapShare: On, no action is needed as MapShare is already on.

NOTE: As of May 25, 2018, opt-in consent was required for enabling MapShare. If you previously had MapShare enabled and choose not to opt in, your MapShare will be deactivated. To enable MapShare, follow the steps above. Once you have opted in to MapShare, you can disable or enable without having to consent again.

MapShare Settings and Filters

There are settings and filter options so you can customize your MapShare page to suit your preferences. For example, you can set a password to restrict who accesses your MapShare and sees your locations. Use the instructions below to customize your MapShare settings and filters from the Garmin Explore app (when mobile data or Wi-Fi is available). You can also access these settings by logging in to your account at the Garmin Explore™ website, then select the MapShare tab.

Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select the profile icon in the top left.
Select MapShare.
Select MapShare Settings or Filter MapShare Data and make desired changes.
MapShare Settings
Name and/or Description - These fields are optional to personalize your MapShare. For example: If you were traveling to Yosemite for a week with your family, you could put a name like "Family Yosemite Trip" and give a description of the trip, such as "We are hiking and camping near Mariposa Grove for the week. Enjoy following our adventure!".
Password - Adding a password allows for greater control of who is able to view locations and messages shared to your MapShare. Only people with the password will be able to log in and view your MapShare.
Allow map viewers to send you messages and/or Allow map viewers to locate you - Checking these boxes allows viewers certain options, such as sending a message to your inReach device through MapShare without you messaging them first, or requesting the location of your inReach device.
NOTE: The options will still be visible if these boxes are unchecked, but viewers will not be able to use them.
Show waypoints created in the field on MapShare - This setting is for use with earlier models and is not applicable for inReach devices that work with the Garmin Explore app.
Filter MapShare Data
Hide Older MapShare Tracking Data - This allows you to set a date, and hide all track data from that date and older. This is an easy way to make sure that only your most recent track data shows on MapShare.
Make Collections Visible on MapShare - Your collections contain waypoints, routes, tracks, and activities, and sometimes you may not wish to share that data. Use this filter to only share collections that you would like others to see. This can also be useful for ensuring the map for your viewers is not cluttered.
The Sent to MapShare collection will not be listed here because it is a collection permanently shared to your MapShare page and can only be turned off when MapShare is disabled.
Choose Primary Collection for the Earthmate® App - Set the primary collection to determine where new data from the Earthmate app is stored. If that same collection is also selected under Make Collections Visible on MapShare, the data will also display on MapShare.
NOTE: You will only see this option if you have used the Earthmate app, but do not currently have an Earthmate compatible device in your account. For a list of Earthmate compatible devices, see - Frequently Asked Questions about Earthmate Mobile App.
Select Save Changes.

Editing the MapShare Link

Editing your MapShare link can be helpful for many reasons, such as:

Preventing previous viewers from re-accessing your MapShare
Customizing the link your friends and family use to access your MapShare

Follow the steps below to edit your MapShare link from the Garmin Explore app (when mobile data or Wi-Fi is available). You can also access this setting by logging in to your account at the Garmin Explore website, then select the MapShare tab.

Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select the profile icon in the top left.
Select MapShare.
Select next to your current link.

The customizable portion of the link is limited to 100 characters and cannot have any spaces, punctuation, or special characters.

Sharing Your MapShare Page From the Garmin Explore App

Use the instructions below to easily share your MapShare page with others.

Ensure your paired inReach device is powered on, then open the Garmin Explore app.
Select Devices.
Select Tracking under inReach Features.
- A check in the corner of the button indicates Tracking is in progress.
- If you are using a compatible inReach device with the Garmin Messenger™ app, selecting Tracking will take you into the Garmin Messenger app. For more details on using the Garmin Messenger app, see - Tracking With the Garmin Messenger App.
Select an option:
- inReach Message: Opens the inReach message window, allowing you to select who to send a message to with your MapShare URL link.
  - NOTE: The MapShare URL link will not be displayed in the message window, but will automatically be included with the message along with the password for your MapShare page (if applicable).
- Share (Requires Data Connection): Opens a list of options to share your MapShare URL with other apps on your paired mobile device (email, other messaging apps, etc.). These options require your mobile device to have a data connection, and only share the MapShare link. These options do not automatically include any password you may have set for MapShare.

Sharing Your MapShare Page From the Garmin Explore™ Website

Use the instructions below to share your MapShare page from your inReach account using e-mail.

Use the instructions below to easily share your MapShare page from your inReach account using email.

Log in to your account at the Garmin Explore website.
Select MapShare.
NOTE: On mobile browsers, select in the top left, then MapShare.
Select Share.
Select Email to send a message via email with your MapShare link.

Sending a Message to Your MapShare Page

Messages only go to your MapShare if you specifically address the message to MapShare page using the Garmin Explore app. Doing so is helpful for letting viewers know when you are heading out, stopping for the night, general check in, etc.

Use the steps below to send a message to your MapShare page with the Garmin Explore app.

Open the Garmin Explore app.
Touch Messages on the bottom of the app.
- NOTE: If you are using a compatible device with the Garmin Messenger™ app, selecting will take you into the Garmin Messenger app. For more details on using the Garmin Messenger app, see - Contacts and Sending Messages With the Garmin Messenger App.
Touch .
Select (iPhone®/iPad®) or (Android™)
Select MapShare.
Tap on the inReach Message field, then compose your message.
Select to send the message.

Your message will now appear on your MapShare page at the location from which it was sent.

Example of MapShare Message

Changing Map Unit Settings and Position Format for MapShare

If you wish to change the map units and position format on your MapShare page you will need to change the settings from the Garmin Explore™ website. For steps, see - Changing Map Unit Settings and Position Format on the Garmin Explore Website.

All track points sent from your inReach device are automatically sent to your MapShare page. For steps on sending your track data to MapShare, see - Tracking With the Garmin Explore App.

Android is a trademark of Google LLC.

iPhone, iPad, and Apple are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.