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Pairing the eTrex SE or eTrex Solar With a Phone or Tablet

The eTrex® SE and eTrex Solar outdoor handhelds can be used with the Garmin Explore™ app and/or the Garmin Connect™ app when paired to a phone or tablet. These two apps serve different purposes listed below.

Garmin Explore App

  • Download free maps to the phone or tablet

  • Sync data (waypoints, routes, tracks, and activities) to and from your Garmin Explore web account

  • Downloads software updates automatically behind the scenes while the eTrex handheld is connected to your mobile phone with a data connection

  • Allows for Smart Notifications (such as calls and messages) to display on the eTrex handheld from the paired phone or tablet

  • Allows for weather forecasts to display on the eTrex handheld1

Garmin Connect App

  • Sync recorded activities to your Garmin Connect account

  • Downloads software updates automatically behind the scenes while the eTrex handheld is connected to your mobile phone with a data connection

  • Allows for Smart Notifications (such as calls and messages) to display on the eTrex handheld from the paired phone or tablet

  • Allows for weather forecasts to display on the eTrex handheld1

Pairing With the Garmin Explore App

Follow the steps below.

First Time Users

  1. Install and open the Garmin Explore app.

  2. Allow any app permissions when prompted.

  3. Select Create Account.

    • NOTE: If you already have a Garmin account or have previously used other Garmin apps, you can select Sign In (or Continue as ['username'], if prompted).

  4. Tap Next after reading and agreeing to the EULA.

  5. Tap Enable Cloud Storage (or Not Now).

  6. Continue selecting Done to proceed through the information about new app features.

  7. Select Add Device when prompted.

    The app will then begin searching for devices.

  8. From the main menu on the eTrex, select Settings > Pair Phone.

    • NOTE: When powering on the eTrex for the first time, you will be prompted to select a language, then select Get Started to pair with a phone.

  9. In the Garmin Explore app, select Connect It and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

The eTrex will now be paired with the Garmin Explore app.

Existing Garmin Explore App Users

  1. Open the Garmin Explore app.

    • If prompted, read and agree to EULA, and sign in.

  2. Select Watch and Handheld Icon Devices.

  3. Select either + Pair a New Device or Plus Symbol.

    The app will then begin searching for devices.

  4. From the main menu on the eTrex, select Settings > Pair Phone.

    • NOTE: When powering on the eTrex for the first time, you will be prompted to select a language, then select Get Started to pair with a phone.

  5. In the Garmin Explore app, select Connect It and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

The eTrex will now be paired with the Garmin Explore app.

Pairing With the Garmin Connect App

First Time Users

  1. Install and open the Garmin Connect app.

  2. Allow any app permissions when prompted.

  3. Select Sign In.

    • Below the sign in option, select Create One and follow the prompts to create an account if you do not already have a Garmin account.

  4. Read and agree to the EULA and terms, then tap Next.

  5. On the eTrex handheld, press Back Arrow/Menu Button until you reach the main menu.

  6. Select Settings.

  7. Select Pair Phone.

    • NOTE: If you do not see Pair Phone, you will need to select Phone, then Forget Phone before the eTrex handheld can be paired.

  8. In the Garmin Connect app, select Connect It after Garmin Connect finds your eTrex handheld, then follow the prompts.

    • If it does not display, select Browse all compatible devices and search for your model.

The eTrex handheld will now be paired with the Garmin Connect app.

Existing Garmin Connect App Users

  1. Open the Garmin Connect app.

  2. Access the menu by selecting More (bottom right).

  3. Select Garmin Devices.

  4. Select Add Device.

  5. On the eTrex handheld, press Back Arrow/Menu Button until you reach the main menu.

  6. Select Settings.

  7. Select Pair Phone.

    • NOTE: If you have already connected the eTrex handheld with other Garmin apps on this mobile device, skip this step. Otherwise if you do not see Pair Phone, you will need to select Phone, then Forget Phone before the eTrex handheld can be paired.

  8. In the Garmin Connect app, select Connect It after Garmin Connect finds your eTrex handheld, then follow the prompts.

    • If it does not display, select Browse all compatible devices and search for your model.

The eTrex handheld will now be paired with the Garmin Connect app.

1 For more details on weather forecasts, see - Viewing Weather Forecasts on the eTrex SE or eTrex Solar