Using an inReach Messenger Plus Without the Garmin Messenger App

The Garmin Messenger™ app is used to activate and manage your inReach subscription and for syncing items such as contacts, check-in messages, and quick text messages between your online Garmin Explore™ account and a paired inReach® Messenger Plus satellite communicator.

The inReach Messenger Plus can also use the Garmin Explore™ app for syncing items, but it cannot sync via a computer.

What are the Advantages of Pairing My inReach Messenger Plus Device With the Garmin Messenger App?

• The Garmin Messenger app allows you to activate an inReach subscription, which is required for messaging, SOS, and other satellite communication features.

• Contacts created in your Garmin Explore account can sync over into your inReach Messenger Plus.

• Changes to your check-in messages can sync over into your inReach Messenger Plus. The content and the recipients of your check-in messages can then be viewed directly on the inReach Messenger Plus.

• Quick Text messages created in your Garmin Explore account can sync over into your inReach Messenger Plus. Quick Texts cannot be edited manually on the inReach Messenger Plus itself.

• The Garmin Messenger app allows for easier use overall for creating contacts, messaging, requesting and viewing weather forecasts, and much more.

• The Garmin Messenger app allows you to send and receive photos and voice messages with your inReach Messenger Plus.

• The Garmin Messenger app will automatically download software updates for your inReach Messenger Plus when it is connected to your mobile phone with a data connection.

What Happens if I Do Not Pair My inReach Messenger Plus With the Garmin Messenger App?

• inReach satellite communication features, including SOS, are not available without an active inReach subscription and new subscriptions can only be activated by using the Garmin Messenger app. After a subscription has been activated, you can stop using the Garmin Messenger app if you choose, but make sure to delete your information from the app before uninstalling it. For steps, see - Deleting the Garmin Messenger Account and App.

• You will not be able to access photo or voice messages at all.

• Contacts created in your Garmin Explore account will not sync over to your inReach Messenger Plus.

  • You will have to manually type in recipient phone numbers, emails, and inReach addresses when composing messages.

• Changes to your check-in messages will not sync over to your inReach device. You will not be able to view the recipients for these messages on the inReach device.

  NOTE: You can still pick a check-in message to send, but you have to remember which recipients they are set to send to. Recipients for check-in messages cannot be manually entered using your inReach Messenger Plus.

• Changes to your Quick Text messages in your Garmin Explore account will not sync to your inReach Messenger Plus and cannot be manually changed on the inReach Messenger Plus.

What if I Only Have My inReach Messenger Plus For SOS?

• An inReach subscription must first be activated using the Garmin Messenger app, but after a subscription has been activated it is not required to have your inReach Messenger Plus paired with the Garmin Messenger app in order to use the SOS button.

  If you choose to stop using the Garmin Messenger app, make sure to delete your information from the app before uninstalling it. For steps, see - Deleting the Garmin Messenger Account and App.

• If you are not using your inReach Messenger Plus with the Garmin Messenger app, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with how to compose and send messages using your inReach Messenger Plus.