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Byte Based Team Tracking for inReach Professional Accounts

Team Tracking is a feature available for inReach® Professional accounts using a byte-based plan that lets inReach® satellite communication devices send position updates directly from one inReach user to another. When this feature is enabled all devices in a group with Enabled Team Tracking can view the locations of other devices on the Map page of the paired mobile device (Earthmate® app only).

NOTE: Newer inReach devices using the Garmin Explore™ app or Garmin Messenger™ app can contribute to Team Tracking but cannot participate in group messaging or act as the Team Tracking Receiver. 

Only Professional account administrators are allowed to turn on the Team Tracking feature on an account. If you are the administrator of a Professional account you can follow the instructions below to set up this feature. If your account is not a Professional account you will need to contact Product Support to inquire about switching to a Professional account. For Professional Accounts wanting Team Tracking capabilities, please contact Professional.Support@garmin.com about plan requirements. Contact information is provided in Related Content at the bottom of the page.


Setting Up Team Tracking for the Tread® XL - Baja Chase Edition and Tread® XL - Race Edition GPS Navigators

See Pro/Flex Team Tracking Activation for instructions.

Setting Up Team Tracking on a Professional inReach Account

These steps must be completed before you can enable Team Tracking by group.

  1. Log in to your Professional account at the Garmin Explore website.

  2. Select the Settings tab.

  3. Select the Team Tracking sub-tab.

  4. Team Tracking will be turned off by default. To turn on Team Tracking, click the button that says Team Tracking: off.

    • A window will pop-up to confirm your selection.

    • Check the two boxes to acknowledge usage.

    • IMPORTANT: Read the warning carefully and make sure you fully understand the byte usage associated with Team Tracking. Click Team Tracking byte calculator to use a tool to estimate the total byte usage per month, per user, prior to activating this feature. This will help you select the most appropriate data plan level to avoid costly overages.

  5. Confirm both check boxes and select Start Team Tracking.

The Team Tracking: Off button should now be Green and read: Team Tracking: On

Team Tracking Setup Page

Enabling a Group For Team Tracking

The inReach needs to be in tracking mode in order to receive any Team Tracking messages. The inReach 1.5 can contribute to the Team Tracking message, but cannot receive the message.

If using the Earthmate app, if you are logged in as one of the users in the group you will now have a Team Tracking and Message Team option.

  1. Select Groups & Users.

  2. Select desired group.

  3. Select Group Settings.

  4. Select Team Tracking sub-tab.

  5. Check the box next Team Tracking Group.

    • Check boxes next to each user for Contributor and Receiver.

  6. Select Done.

IMPORTANT: Contributors can only send tracking data. Receivers can only receive tracking data, and cannot contribute data. Devices that are both contributors and receivers can send and receive tracking data.

For devices set as receivers in the group to update the location of the contributor devices more frequently on the Earthmate app map page, the receiver devices need to have tracking turned on or do a manual mail check to check for messages. 

Contributor Receiver Page


Changing Group Membership

After any changes or updates are made to a Team Tracking group, such as adding or removing members, or changing names, a Team Update message must be sent. This can be done in one of two ways:

  • Select the Send Team Update button from the Groups page.
  • Select Send Team Update from the Group Settings page.

Device Compatibility With Team Tracking

Handheld Devices and GPS Navigators With Team Tracking Capabilities:

  • inReach® SE
  • inReach® Explorer
  • inReach® SE+
  • inReach® Explorer+
  • inReach® Mini
  • Tread® XL - Baja Chase Edition GPS navigator
  • Tread® XL - Baja Race Edition GPS navigator

Handheld Devices Without Team Tracking Capabilities:

NOTE: inReach devices using the Garmin Explore app or Garmin Messenger app can contribute to Team Tracking, but cannot participate in group messaging or act as the Team Tracking Receiver. 

  • GPSMAP® 66i
  • GPSMAP® 86i or GPSMAP® Sci
  • Montana® 700i or Montana® 750i
  • inReach Messenger
  • inReach Mini 2

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Always verify that users have the most recent Earthmate® app and device firmware.

Why am I Seeing Myself in the Team Tracking List?

The inReach® needs to know who you are which should be set automatically during activation. To fix the issue reset to factory settings and reactivate.


My Updated Time is Always Wrong. I am Getting Negative Numbers for Time Differences. 

Make sure the clock on your tablet or smartphone is accurate and in the correct time zone.


The Users in My Team List are Incorrect.

Send a team update message to ensure all recent changes are applied to the group.


My Team is Not Updating, Why?

  • Check group settings to see if users are selected to receive Team Tracking Messages.
  • Make sure all inReach devices have a clear view of the sky to connect to the satellites.
  • Ensure tracking is enabled for all inReach devices.
  • Are you using a rest interval that is slower than the moving interval? This can prevent messages from being sent.
  • Check the Bluetooth connection.
  • Restart the inReach communicator and re-pair with the mobile device.

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