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Contacts and Sending Messages With the Garmin Messenger App

The Garmin Messenger™ app can be paired and used with a compatible inReach® handheld device to send messages to SMS numbers, email addresses, and inReach addresses. When sending messages, contacts and messages will be labeled with one of the following icons:

  • Message Bubbles Indicates the recipient has the Garmin Messenger app.

  • SMS message to non app user Indicates an SMS message was sent to a recipient that does not have the Garmin Messenger app.

  • Mail EnvelopeIndicates a message sent to an email address.

  • Paper List IconIndicates a group message or post sent to more than one recipient.

  • iR Indicates a message sent to an inReach address.

You can manually enter SMS numbers or addresses when composing a message. To save time you can use your smartphone's contacts or create inReach contacts in the Garmin Messenger app (when paired with an inReach device).

You can also sync your smartphone's contacts to your paired inReach device. This is helpful for trips when you will not be bringing your phone with you, or in case the phone's battery becomes depleted.

This article provides steps for all of these, along with how to send a message using the Garmin Messenger app.

Important Notes

  • Ensure your phone and inReach device are connected before attempting to send a message. You can confirm this in the Garmin Messenger app by selecting the devices page at the bottom of the app. For steps on how to pair your inReach with a phone, see - Pairing Instructions for Garmin Messenger App Compatible inReach Devices.

  • Satellite messages sent or received will count against your monthly inReach message plan.

  • Satellite transmission is still the primary method of communication for inReach products and the app will switch to satellites when necessary to continue sending and receiving messages as long as a compatible inReach device is powered on and connected with the app.

  • Some messages that would normally count towards a plan's included message limit may not be counted if they are sent or received over internet under very specific circumstances. For more details, see - Message Charges When Using the Garmin Messenger App.

  • When an inReach device is connected with the Garmin Messenger app, messages sent from the inReach device itself will attempt to send over the the paired phone's Wi-Fi or cellular connection. If no Wi-Fi or cellular connection is available, messages will be sent over the satellite network.

Sending an Invite

Friends and family can also use the Garmin Messenger app to contact you on your inReach device. Here is how you can send your friends and family an invite to use the app:

  1. Open the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select Messages Word Bubble Icon.

  3. Select Pencil Icon Android (Android™) or Pencil Icon iPhone (iPhone®).

  4. Select Head and Shoulders with Plus Sign Invite to Messenger.

  5. Select a contact to send the invite to with your preferred messaging platform.

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Notes

  • The Garmin Messenger app is free for friends and family to download and use.

  • Invitations for the app should be sent before heading off-grid.

  • Anyone who has your mobile number saved in their phone will see that you are on Garmin Messenger when they download the app and will be able to message you.

  • Message charges may apply depending on your inReach plan. You may want to consider limiting the number of people you invite to use the Garmin Messenger app.

  • If friends and family choose not to use the Garmin Messenger app, you can still send them a message and they can reply back to contact you. For more details, see - Sending a Message to an inReach Device.

Adding Phone Contacts to an inReach Device

  1. Ensure your inReach device is powered on and paired with the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select Device.

  3. Select Contacts.

  4. Select Plus Symbol.

  5. Select Import System Contact.

    • You may need to grant permission for the Garmin Messenger app to access your phone's contacts.

  6. Select a contact.

    • Edit contact details, if desired.

    • If you have duplicate contacts in your phone, you need to select between multiple phone numbers and/or email addresses.

      • If this happens, select the desired phone number and/or email address then select Next.

  7. Select Save.

  8. Repeat steps 4-7 for any additional contacts.

  9. Select Back Arrow to return to the previous screen.

After the contacts have been created, they will automatically transfer to your paired inReach device.

For how to then send a message from the inReach device, refer to your owner's manual.

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Sending a Message to Manually Entered Recipients

  1. Open the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select Messages Word Bubble Icon.

  3. Select Pencil Icon Android (Android) or Pencil Icon iPhone (iPhone).

    • NOTE: When composing a new message you have the option to send it as a New Message or a New Post.

      • New Message: Used when sending a message to a single contact, or when starting a group message with multiple cell phone numbers. For group messages, everyone in the message thread will see each others messages in one thread. Group messages are limited to 5 recipients and cannot contain email, inReach, or social addresses.

      • New Post: Posts are delivered individually, and replies return as direct messages. This allows you to send the same message out to multiple recipients, but then continue the conversation with each recipient individually.

  4. Touch the field next to To:

  5. Enter the recipient's SMS number, email address, or inReach address.

    • Ensure SMS numbers are in the following format (minus the brackets): +[Country Code][SMS number].

    • Add any additional recipients.

  6. Touch the Start a message field and type out your message, or select Plus Symbol to choose from the following options:

    • Quick Text Messages: Choose from a list of up to 20 Quick Text messages to save time not having to type out commonly-used phrases and replies.

    • Voice Message: Record a voice message of up to 30 seconds to include in your message.1

    • Camera: Use your smartphone's camera to take a photo to include in your message.1

    • Photos: Choose a saved photo on your smartphone to include in your message.1

  7. Tap Send Icon to send the message.

The message should send to the entered recipients, provided the paired inReach device has a clear view of the sky or your phone has mobile data or Wi-Fi available.

1 Photo and voice messages can only be sent over the Iridium satellite network if an inReach Messenger Plus device is connected with an active satellite subscription. Without the use of the inReach Messenger Plus, photo and voice messages can only be transmitted when cell coverage or Wi-Fi are available.

Sending a Message to Saved Contacts

  1. Open the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select Messages Word Bubble Icon.

  3. Select Pencil Icon Android (Android) or Pencil Icon iPhone (iPhone).

    • NOTE: When composing a new message you have the option to send it as a New Message or a New Post.

      • New Message: Used when sending a message to a single contact, or when starting a group message with multiple cell phone numbers. For group messages, everyone in the message thread will see each others messages in one thread. Group messages are limited to 5 recipients and cannot contain email, inReach, or social addresses.

      • New Post: Posts are delivered individually, and replies return as direct messages. This allows you to send the same message out to multiple recipients, but then continue the conversation with each recipient individually.

  4. Use the To field to enter one or more recipients for the message.

    • Tap on the To: field and start typing the name of a saved contact, then select the contact from the list of results.

    • Tap Plus Symbol and select System Contacts or inReach Contacts, then select a contact.

  5. The selected contact(s) will populate in the To: field.

  6. Touch the Start a message field and type out your message, or select Plus Symbol to choose from the following options:

    • Quick Text Messages: Choose from a list of up to 20 Quick Text messages to save time not having to type out commonly-used phrases and replies.

    • Voice Message: Record a voice message of up to 30 seconds to include in your message.1

    • Camera: Use your smartphone's camera to take a photo to include in your message.1

    • Photos: Choose a saved photo on your smartphone to include in your message.1

  7. Tap Send Icon to send the message.

The message should send to the selected recipients, provided the paired inReach device has a clear view of the sky or your phone has mobile data or Wi-Fi available.

1 Photo and voice messages can only be sent over the Iridium satellite network if an inReach Messenger Plus device is connected with an active satellite subscription. Without the use of the inReach Messenger Plus, photo and voice messages can only be transmitted when cell coverage or Wi-Fi are available.

Sending a Check-In Message

Check-in messages are a convenient way to send messages to specific group of recipients. You can customize the recipient list of your check-in messages. Check-in messages will include your location if available.

  1. Ensure your inReach device is powered on and paired with the Garmin Messenger app.

  2. Select Device.

  3. Select Check-In.

  4. Select one of the three messages listed.

    TIP: Select Edit Check-in Contacts to customize the recipient list of your check-in messages (when mobile data or Wi-Fi is available).

The message will send to the predefined recipients, provided the paired inReach device has a clear view of the sky or your phone has mobile data or Wi-Fi available.

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Reacting to Messages With Emojis

Emoji reactions are done by pressing and holding on a message in the Garmin Messenger™ app, then selecting an emoji:

Example of Emoji Reaction

This option will only be available for messages with SMS recipients (indicated by SMS message to non app user) or other Garmin Messenger app users (indicated by Message Bubbles). Emoji reactions can be sent over internet or satellite and do not count towards any included message allotments on any plan except for the Enabled plan ($0.10 USD/$0.15 CAD per reaction on the Enabled plan).

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