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inReach Messages Not Received by Contacts
IMPORTANT: Most issues related to messaging on an inReach device can be resolved by syncing the device with the account. For more information on why syncing is important and necessary, review section 2.2 of the Service Terms for inReach Personal Service Plans.
If you are having issues with inReach messages not being received by contacts, the first step is to complete a sync as it can resolve most messaging issues.
inReach Messenger: Simply connect it with the Garmin Messenger™ app on a smartphone. Any account related changes will automatically be synced to the inReach Messenger when it is connected and the phone has a data connection. For steps, see - Pairing an inReach Messenger With a Smartphone.
inReach Messenger Plus: Simply connect it with the Garmin Messenger™ app on a smartphone. Any account related changes will automatically be synced to the inReach Messenger Plus when it is connected and the phone has a data connection. For steps, see - Pairing an inReach Messenger Plus With the Garmin Messenger App.
Additional Troubleshooting for inReach Messaging Issues
If inReach messages are still not received by contacts after completing a successful sync, choose an option below for troubleshooting steps.
inReach Messages Not Received by a Phone Number (SMS Text Message)
NOTE: SMS messages to Telecom Personal Argentina or Georgia (country) subscribers cannot be delivered as there is currently no route available to this carrier through our international SMS delivery partner. Ghana does not currently have SMS messaging. Currently, there is also an issue with inReach messages being received by SMS phone numbers in Mexico and Romania. For more details, see - inReach Messages Not Received by SMS Phone Numbers in Mexico and inReach Messages Not Received by SMS Phone Numbers in Romania.
Verify the number for the contact is current, correct, and in the proper format.
VOIP numbers, such as Google Voice, do not work if they are setup as virtual numbers.
You will need to check with your provider to confirm the VOIP number is virtual.
The mobile phone number needs to be in the following format (minus the brackets): +[Country Code][SMS number].
Confirm if the recipient has used the Garmin Messenger app previously. If they started using the Garmin Messenger app, then later uninstalled the app, additional steps are required to restore normal inReach message delivery to their phone number. For more details, see - inReach Messages Not Received After Uninstalling Garmin Messenger.
If any changes were made on the Garmin Explore website regarding messages, sync your device.
Sync your device using either inReach Sync from the Garmin Explore website, or the appropriate mobile app for your device.
Confirm the inReach device can send and receive messages by sending a message to testinreach@garmin.com.
After sending the message, leave the device outside in a clear open view of the sky for 20-40 minutes to confirm the device is able to receive a reply.
Send an SMS text message and an e-mail to a recipient, preferably someone other than yourself. This is to test whether the issue persists, and also help pinpoint the root of the issue.
Have the recipient reply to either message received to see if the response is received on the inReach device as well.
If the inReach device is unable to send or receive SMS correspondence, but can send and receive e-mail correspondence, contact Product Support and provide the information below. To do so, visit the Product Support Contact Page and input your inReach device.
inReach Account Holder Information
inReach Account Holder First and Last Name:
Email Address of the explore.garmin.com Login (Do not provide the password):
inReach Device IMEI:
Does Garmin have permission to access your message logs? (Yes or No)
Recipients Information
SMS Phone Number of Recipient:
SMS Cellular Provider of Recipient:
SMS Cellular Provider Country:
Phone model:
Date and Time of a Sent Message:
Has the recipient ever received SMS messages from the inReach? (Yes or No)
If the answer is Yes:
What number were SMS messages received from?
Has a SMS message reply from the above recipient been received by the inReach? (Yes or No)
May our Engineering Team access your account?
NOTE: Successful SMS message delivery and receipt depends on many factors, including but not limited to, local restrictions and laws related to international SMS, policies of individual SMS providers, and support for SMS carriers from the inReach SMS provider. Garmin will work with the inReach SMS provider to attempt to work through or around any issues, however, successful message delivery or receipt is not guaranteed as defined in sections 1.4 and 4.5 of the inReach Terms & Conditions.
inReach Messages Not Received by an Email Address
Verify that the email address for the contact is current and correct.
Have the recipient review their email account to ensure the messages are not being filtered out or blocked as Spam.
If any changes were made on the Garmin Explore website regarding messages, sync your device.
Sync your device using either inReach Sync from the Garmin Explore website, or the appropriate mobile app for your device.
Confirm the inReach device can send or receive messages by sending a message to testinreach@garmin.com while the device is outside in a clear view of the sky.
After sending the message, leave the device outside in a clear open view of the sky for 20-40 minutes to confirm the device is able to receive a reply.
If the inReach device is unable to send email correspondence, but can send and receive SMS correspondence, contact Product Support and provide the information below. To do so, visit the Product Support Contact Page and input your inReach device.
inReach Account Holder Information
inReach Account Holder First and Last Name:
Email Address of the explore.garmin.com Login (Do not provide the password):
inReach Device IMEI:
Does Garmin have permission to access your message logs? (Yes or No)
Email address of Recipient
Date and Time of a Sent Message:
Has the recipient ever received email messages from the inReach? (Yes or No)
If the answer is Yes, has a message reply from the above recipient been received by the inReach? (Yes or No)
May our Engineering Team access your account?
inReach Messages Not Received by Another inReach
Verify the inReach address for the contact is current and correct.
For information on finding the inReach address for a device, review the Using inReach to inReach Communication section of Sending a Message to an inReach Device.
If any changes were made on the Garmin Explore website regarding messages, sync your device.
Sync your device using either inReach Sync from the Garmin Explore website, or the appropriate mobile app (Earthmate or Garmin Explore app).
Confirm the inReach device can send or receive messages by sending a message to testinreach@garmin.com while the device is outside in a clear view of the sky.
After sending the message, leave the device outside in a clear open view of the sky for 20-40 minutes to confirm the device is able to receive a reply.
How inReach Messaging Works
inReach devices use GPS satellites to find your position, but send and receive messages through the Iridium satellite network. For example, when you send an SMS text message the inReach device will first send the message to the Iridium satellite network and from there the message is transmitted to an Iridium ground station, then to the inReach SMS provider, then to the recipient's phone.
Depending on your location and your surroundings, messages can be sent or received in a matter of seconds, or it can take up to 30 minutes. In certain situations, it could take longer, especially if tracking is not actively being used.
For inReach devices to connect to the Iridium communication satellites, they need to be outside. There is only one Iridium satellite in the sky at a time. Each Iridium satellite passes by every 15 to 20 minutes, travels North-South, and rarely flies directly overhead.
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. The signal transmitted by the device may be too weak to reach the satellites through windows, so if you can not connect to the satellites indoors or in a vehicle, you will need to take the inReach outside.
When the inReach is used around a building or obstruction, it is best to be on the North or South side.