How Long it Takes to Send or Receive inReach Messages

inReach® satellite communicators use GPS satellites to find your position but send and receive messages through the Iridium satellite network. Under ideal conditions, messages can be sent within 30 seconds to a minute, but may take up to 5 minutes depending on your surroundings.

When using the Garmin Messenger™ app with a compatible inReach product, messages are transmitted using the cellular connection of your smartphone when available, then it switches to using the Iridium satellite network when you go beyond available cellular coverage range.

To receive messages, the inReach product needs to perform a mail check in order to connect to the Iridium satellite network. A mail check can be done manually, but will also occur automatically when requesting a weather forecast, sending a message, or sending a track point. If none of these actions have taken place, most inReach products will check for new messages every hour by default. For more details, see - I Do Not Immediately Receive Messages Sent to My inReach.

There are a number of variables that can cause messages to be delayed beyond these time estimates. For more details, continue reading Understanding Message Delays and Tips for Avoiding Message Delays below .

Understanding Message Delays

In certain situations, messages may take longer to send or be received, especially if tracking is not actively being used.

In order for inReach products to connect to the Iridium communication satellites, they need to be outside. The area you are in will have only one Iridium satellite in the sky at a time. Each Iridium satellite passes by approximately every 9 minutes, travels North-South, and rarely flies directly overhead. Iridium satellites also have a much lower orbit compared to GPS satellites.

An area surrounded by mountains, heavy tree cover, buildings, or other solid structures will increase the time it takes to send and receive messages or track points. Clouds have no effect on the communication between the Iridium satellites and the inReach handheld.

Tips for Avoiding Message Delays

• Use the inReach device outdoors.

  • The signal transmitted by the inReach device may be too weak to reach the satellites through windows, so if you cannot connect to the satellites indoors or in a vehicle, then you will need to take the inReach outside.

• For optimal sky view and transmission, try keeping the inReach device secured high on the body or backpack.

• Stand away from buildings and other obstructions.

  • When the inReach device is used around a building or obstruction, it is best to be on the North or South side.

• Wait for the inReach device to acquire a GPS signal before sending a message.

  • If the inReach device has poor GPS strength, you may be prompted to Send Anyway or Wait for GPS.

    Selecting Send Anyway will prompt the message to be sent, but your location may be missing the message or the location data may be inaccurate.

    Selecting Wait for GPS will cause the message delivery to be delayed until a stronger GPS signal has been acquired.

  • In some cases it can take up to 20 minutes for your inReach to acquire a strong GPS location, especially if it has not acquired a GPS position for some time. This is especially true when tracking is not used on the inReach device, which only turns on GPS when it is needed to conserve battery life.

    • The GPSMAP® 66i, 67i, 86i, 86sci, Montana® 700i, 750i, and Alpha® 200i and 300i outdoor handhelds are exceptions to this.