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My Garmin Handheld is Not Syncing or Staying Connected to the Garmin Explore App

If you are experiencing issues with a compatible Garmin handheld not syncing or staying connected with the Garmin Explore™ app, this article goes over common items to check and troubleshooting steps, if needed.

Items to Check for Bluetooth and Sync Issues in the Garmin Explore App

When it comes to Bluetooth connections, there are many variables to consider and items to check before determining that troubleshooting is necessary.

Ensure the Data Type Syncs Through the Garmin Explore App

Not all types of data sync between a Garmin handheld and the Garmin Explore app. For more information on what syncs, see - Items that Sync Through the Garmin Explore App.

Check for Too Much Data in the Garmin Explore App

If the Sync Settings have the entire Library or several Collections with a large amount of data set to sync, an error may be returned, or an extended sync time may be experienced. Organizing your data into smaller collections would be advised if is displayed in the Sync Settings of the app. For more details, see - Setting a Collection to Sync Using the Garmin Explore App.

Check the Bluetooth® Connection

An active Bluetooth connection is required to sync user data between the Garmin device and the Garmin Explore app. User data consists of activities, courses and routes, tracks, and waypoints. For devices with inReach® satellite communication features and an active inReach subscription, user data also includes contacts, check-in messages ( formerly known as preset messages), and other important account information. If Bluetooth has been disabled, or a connection disruption is experienced, user data will fail to sync.

Bluetooth Status on the Garmin Handheld

When Bluetooth is enabled, the Bluetooth icon will be present in the status bar next to the battery life indicator on most handhelds.

Alpha® 200i Dog Tracking Handheld

Bluetooth icon in status bar:
To enable Bluetooth:
1. Select Setup.
2. Select Bluetooth.
3. Touch Status to turn Bluetooth on.

eTrex® SE or eTrex® Solar Outdoor Handheld

To enable Bluetooth:
1. Press / until you reach the main menu.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select Phone.
4. Select Status to turn Bluetooth on.
5. Select On.

Foretrex® 801 or Foretrex® 901 Outdoor Navigator

To enable Bluetooth:
1. Press PAGE until you reach the main menu page.
2. Select PHONE.
3. Select STATUS.
4. Select ON.

GPSMAP® 64 or 65 Series Outdoor Handhelds

NOTE: Only the GPSMAP 64csx, 64s, 64sc, 64st, 64sx, 65, and 65s handhelds are compatible with the Garmin Explore app. The GPSMAP 64 and GPSMAP 64x handhelds are not compatible because they do not support Bluetooth wireless technology.

To enable Bluetooth:
1. Press MENU twice to access the main menu.
2. Select Setup.
3. Select Bluetooth.
4. Select Connection.
5. Select On.

GPSMAP® 66, 67, or 86 Series Outdoor Handhelds

NOTE: The GPSMAP 66sr, 66i, 66s, 66st, 67, 67i, 86sci, 86sc, 86s, and 86i handhelds are compatible with the Garmin Explore app.

Bluetooth icon in status bar:
To enable Bluetooth:
1. Press Power to view the Status Page.
2. Use the directional keypad to highlight Bluetooth.
3. Press Enter.
4. Press Enter on Status to turn Bluetooth on.

inReach® Messenger Plus Satellite Communicator

To enable Bluetooth:
1. If necessary, press and hold OK to reach the home page.
2. Press or to scroll through the main menu and select SETTINGS .
3. Select Phone .
4. Select Bluetooth Status to toggle it on, if needed.
  Status will show as Connected or Waiting for Phone when Bluetooth is enabled.

inReach® Mini 2 Satellite Communicator

To enable Bluetooth:
1. If necessary, press until you reach the home page:
2. From the home page, press OK to open the main menu.
3. Select Settings.
4. Select Phone.
5. Select Status to toggle Bluetooth on.
  Status will show as Connected or Waiting for Phone when Bluetooth is enabled.

Montana® 700, 700i, or 750i Outdoor Handhelds

Bluetooth icon in Status bar:
To enable Bluetooth:
1. Press Power to access the Status Page.
2. Touch .
3. Touch Status to turn Bluetooth on.

Bluetooth Status on Phone

Bluetooth should remain enabled on the paired phone to stay connected with the Garmin device.

Check in the settings of the phone to confirm Bluetooth is on.
- Some smartphones have the option to enable power saving modes that periodically disable some features in order to conserve battery life. When power saving modes are enabled it can sometimes interrupt Bluetooth connections.
- For assistance, consult the phone manufacturer.
Ensure Bluetooth is enabled if using Airplane mode.
Confirm the Garmin product appears on the phone's list of connected devices and is Connected.

NOTE: When paired to an iOS device, it is normal for the Garmin handheld to be listed twice under Bluetooth and for one not to be connected. During normal operation, the handheld stays connected to the phone or tablet using Bluetooth Low Energy (i.e. "GPSMAP" or "BLE_GPSMAP"), but does not continuously stay connected over Bluetooth Classic (i.e. "BT_GPSMAP").

Check Connection Status in the Garmin Explore App

Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select Devices.
Select your device.
View the connection status.

Check The Phone's Internet Connection

A data connection on the phone (Wi-Fi or mobile data) is required to sync the Garmin Explore app with the Garmin Explore website and account. If the connection is unavailable or has been disrupted, you may see a "Sync Failed" message in the settings of the Garmin Explore app.

Ensure Wi-Fi or mobile data is enabled on the phone.
Turn off Airplane mode.
- NOTE: Airplane mode can be used on the mobile device to sync user data with the handheld as long as Bluetooth remains enabled on the phone. The Garmin Explore app will not sync to the Garmin Explore website in Airplane mode.
Try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
Try switching from mobile data to Wi-Fi.
Use a different Wi-Fi network.

Confirm All Software Is Up to Date

To sync and stay connected, it is important that all software is current on the handheld, the Garmin Explore app, and the phone.

Garmin Handheld Software

Alpha® 200i Dog Tracking Handheld

If a Wi-Fi network has been added, view the Wi-Fi settings page to check for software updates:
1. Select Setup.
2. Select Wi-Fi.
3. View Software Version and allow any updates available to install.
Use Garmin Express to check for updates.
- Important updates for the Map Time Zone will need to be updated via Garmin Express, these updates cannot be done over Wi-Fi.
For steps, see - Installing Software Updates to the Alpha 200 and Alpha 300 Series Handheld.

eTrex® SE or eTrex® Solar Outdoor Handheld

Use Garmin Express to install available updates. For steps, see - Updating the Software on Your eTrex SE or eTrex Solar.
Check for software updates trying to transfer in the Garmin Connect™ app, if applicable.
1. Open the Garmin Connect app.
2. Access the menu by selecting More (bottom right).
3. Select Garmin Devices.
4. View the Sync status.
5. Allow any software updates to complete.
6. Restart the handheld.

GPSMAP® 64, 65, 66, 67, or 86 Series Outdoor Handhelds

NOTE: The GPSMAP 64csx, 64s, 64sc, 64st, 64sx, 65, 65s, 66sr, 66i, 66s, 66st, 67, 67i, 86sci, 86sc, 86s, and 86i handhelds are compatible with the Garmin Explore app. The GPSMAP 64 and GPSMAP 64x handhelds are not compatible because they do not support Bluetooth wireless technology.

Use Garmin Express to install available updates. For steps, see - Updating the Software on Your Outdoor Handheld With Garmin Express.
Check for software updates trying to transfer in the Garmin Connect™ app, if applicable.
1. Open the Garmin Connect app.
2. Access the menu by selecting More (bottom right).
3. Select Garmin Devices.
4. View the Sync status.
5. Allow any software updates to complete.
6. Restart the handheld.

inReach® Messenger Plus Satellite Communicator

Use Garmin Express to install available updates. For steps, see - Updating the Software on Your inReach Messenger Plus .
Check for software updates trying to transfer in the Garmin Explore app.
1. Open the Garmin Explore app.
2. Select Devices.
3. Select inReach Messenger Plus.
4. Select Software Update.
5. Allow any software updates to complete.
6. Restart the handheld.

inReach® Mini 2 Satellite Communicator

Use Garmin Express to install available updates. For steps, see - Updating the Software on Your inReach Mini 2.
Check for software updates trying to transfer in the Garmin Explore app.
1. Open the Garmin Explore app.
2. Select Devices.
3. Select inReach Mini 2.
4. Select Software Update.
5. Allow any software updates to complete.
6. Restart the handheld.

Montana® 700, 700i, or 750i Outdoor Handhelds

Use Garmin Express™ program to install available updates. For steps, see - Updating the Software on Your Montana 700, 700i, or 750i.
Check for software updates trying to transfer in the Garmin Connect™ app, if applicable.
1. Open the Garmin Connect app.
2. Access the menu by selecting More (bottom right).
3. Select Garmin Devices.
4. View the Sync status.
5. Allow any software updates to complete.
6. Restart the handheld.

Garmin Apps

Check for updates in the app store for your phone.

Garmin Explore App

Garmin Connect App (If Applicable)

Phone Software Updates

Most mobile devices install updates automatically but it is best to confirm you have the latest operating system and install any missing updates. Consult your phone manufacturer for assistance, if needed.

Confirm You Are Not Signed In as a Guest

For Alpha® 200i dog tracking handheld, GPSMAP® 66i, 67i, 86i, or 86sci outdoor handhelds, inReach® Messenger Plus satellite communicator, inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator, and Montana® 700i or 750i outdoor handheld users, there is a Guest Device feature that can limit what data is synced when lending the handheld to someone else. If the handheld is showing as a Guest Device unintentionally (in the Devices section of the app), this can be resolved by signing out of the app and signing back in.

Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select the profile icon in the top left.
Select Sign Out.
Sign back into the app using the same email address that was used when initially activating the inReach device.
Follow the prompts to add the device in the app.

Troubleshooting Bluetooth and Sync Issues

If the items above do not resolve the issue, proceed with the troubleshooting steps below.

1. Forget the Phone From the Bluetooth Settings of the Garmin Device

NOTE: This step is not necessary for the GPSMAP® 64s, 64sc, 64st, 64sx, 64csx, 65, or 65s outdoor handhelds, inReach® Messenger Plus, or inReach Mini 2.

From the main menu, select Setup or Settings.
Select Bluetooth or Phone.
Select Forget Phone.

2. Forget the Garmin Device From the Bluetooth Menu of the Phone

Consult the phone manufacturer for steps if needed.

3. Remove the Garmin Device From the Garmin Explore App

Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select Devices.
Select your Garmin device.
Select Remove Device or > Remove Device.

4. Remove the Garmin Device From the Garmin Connect™ App (If Applicable)

For steps, see - .

5. Restart the Garmin Device and Phone

Power off the Garmin device, then power it back on.
Power off the phone, then power it back on.

6. Pair the Garmin Device to the Phone Again

NOTE: The pairing instructions described below can be completed with or without internet access as long as the Garmin has previously been paired to the phone. If you are unable to complete these steps, see Related for alternative instructions.

Open the Garmin Explore app.
Select Devices.
Select All Devices.
Select your device from the list.
On the handheld, enable pairing mode:
1. From the main menu, select Setup or Settings.
2. Select Phone or Bluetooth.
3. Select Pair Phone, Pair Mobile Device, or Continue.
Once the device is found by the Garmin Explore app, select Connect It and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

7. Uninstall and Reinstall the Garmin Explore App

Uninstall the Garmin Explore app from your mobile device.
- Select your operating system below for instructions on how to uninstall an app. For further assistance, refer to your mobile device's user manual.
  - Android
  - iOS
Reinstall the Garmin Explore app from your mobile device's app store.

8. Reset the Garmin Handheld

Before Resetting

Performing a full reset may remove waypoints, routes, courses, tracks, activities, and geocaches stored on the device.

It is recommended to back up important data with BaseCamp™ before resetting. For steps, see Related.

Refer to your Owner's Manual for instructions on how to reset your device.