# Earthmate — Text and Navigate with inReach

> Satellite communicator app for text, navigation, and trip planning with offline maps. (iPhone/iPad app by Garmin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earthmate/id519247758 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952)
- Category: Navigation
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.70/5 from 271 App Store ratings · 151 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 91 MB
- Languages: Slovenian, American English, Dutch, Danish, European Spanish, Italian, German (Germany), Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, European Portuguese and 5 more
- Released: 2012-05-16
- Data updated: 2026-08-28
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earthmate/id519247758/reviews.md

## What is Earthmate?

Pair your inReach® satellite communication device with the Earthmate® app to get all the features you need to send and receive text messages, navigate and stay connected during your outdoor adventures. It’s perfect for planning, tracking and sharing your trip anywhere around the globe.


This Garmin application lets you access¹:
• Unlimited topographic maps that you can cache on your device and store for offline use, including topographic maps and quad sheets
• Aerial imagery
• Hybrid maps
• Waypoints and route navigation
• Tracking and location sharing
• High-detail GPS trip logging
• Unlimited cloud storage of routes, waypoints and tracks
• Online trip planning
• Control and access all the features of your inReach device from the app: send 2-way custom or preset text and email messages, trigger an SOS from anywhere in the world, track your location and more


By pairing your mobile device (via Bluetooth® technology) with inReach, the Earthmate app turns your mobile device into a true satellite communication, GPS navigation and safety tool. To access the 100% global Iridium® satellite network for live tracking and messaging – including SOS capabilities – from the Earthmate app, an inReach device with active satellite subscription is required. 

You can plan your adventures from your account on the Garmin Explore™ website, wirelessly sync them to your smartphone or tablet, and then save all your trip data and maps with unlimited cloud storage. 


With the use of the LiveTrack™ feature, loved ones can follow your location in real time² and see data such as distance, time and elevation.


Learn more about inReach devices and technology at www.garmin.com/inreach.


Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Don't forget to stop tracking.

¹Access varies by model.
²When used with your compatible smartphone and the Earthmate® app or when used with your compatible inReach-enabled Garmin device.

## Key features

- Send/receive text messages
- Offline topographic maps
- Waypoint and route navigation
- Tracking and location sharing
- Trip logging and planning
- Cloud storage for trips
- Control inReach device features

## What do users think of Earthmate?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Offline maps
- 📡 Satellite communication
- 💬 Messaging functionality
- 🗺️ Tracking and navigation

**Cons**

- 🐛 Unreliable Bluetooth connectivity
- 🔍 Lacking detailed maps
- 🔑 Login/sync issues
- 🔧 Buggy and unstable
- 🗓️ Frequent app crashes
- 💰 Expensive subscription plans

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Invisible text fields
- Disappearing waypoints and tracks
- Inability to send preset messages from app
- Incorrect wind speed display
- Broken map downloads

**Most requested features**

- Apple Watch integration
- Customizable preset messages
- Improved map detail and customization
- Seamless sync between app and device
- Frequent message check intervals

## Recent user reviews (10 of 151)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earthmate/id519247758/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Unreasonable fees

*2026-06-14*

I own a Garmin inreach mini and have had several years of good functionality with it, but after not using it for several months and suspending the plan I was shocked to find Garmin want A$70 activation fee on top of the monthly fee - which for me makes it uneconomical and not worth having. Really disappointed with Garmin after being a loyal customer for many many years. On principle I will also be cancelling my Garmin Connect premium subscription and will start to look at alternative watches and navigation products in the future. Poor play Garmin!

### 1/5 — Garmin Lost a Customer

*2026-06-06, version 3.2.2*

Impossible to use. My inreach is now an expensive paperweight. Will not connect, will not work, JUNK!

### 2/5 — No tracking history

*2026-03-16, version 3.2.1*

The app is not bad but my biggest problem with this is that you can’t see anything but the most recent tracking. If they fixed this it would be a  4-5 star app for me

### 1/5 — GPS location not updating

*2026-02-16, version 3.2.1*

For a while now, the app will not update your current location, compass stuck, altitude just says zero. Definitely would not trust the app anymore when compared to my in reach device.

### 1/5 — Failed during actual emergency.

*2025-12-16, version 3.2*

On a motorcycle ride deep in the mountains my engine blew up. No worries, I have my garmin inreach+ with me. I sent a text to my wife to call a tow truck. No reply in 3 hours. Thats not like her. Long story short come to find out that there was an update that the device needed and it bricked it until the device was updated. So it can be up to date and if garmin decides to push out an update while your out it make the device unusable until you can get it updated again. Total garbage.

### 1/5 — Do they even test their changes?

*2025-11-23, version 3.2*

Just ‘upgraded’ to v3.2, wish I hadn’t. It will work for maybe 4, 5 seconds, then lock up and be unresponsive for some apparently random amount of time. Has become basically useless, and if this issue isn’t fixed I’m off to another sat sos solution. My Mini is largely useless without Earthmate.

### 1/5 — App issues

*2025-11-12, version 3.1.6*

App really needs to be updated. Not user friendly at all!

### 1/5 — Where are my maps? (iPad v 3.1.5)

*2025-09-25, version 3.1.5*

I've used this app for years, ho-hum but it works. Or worked. Now I have to login when opening, and all my maps have disappeared. I've spent untold hours downloading maps, and now I have to start over. 

I no longer use my inreach mini for tracking, as I've been unable to sync the app, mini, and account for years.

I'll keep my mini, for now, but this is another step backwards for Garmin.

### 2/5 — Can’t update firmware

*2025-08-06, version 3.1.5*

Can we talk about how the app will let you know the firmware of your inreach needs to be updated but can’t actually update the firmware?  What in the circusware is this?

### 1/5 — Failure during an emergency

*2025-07-22*

The app was a total failure during a real emergency. I had used it successfully before while out of range to send texts to family via my Garmin InReach, but this time during a real emergency, I couldn’t get into the app to send a message. When I opened the app I was prompted to re-login - which of course I couldn’t do without access to internet or cell signal. Duh, that’s what the Garmin InReach device is for!! It’s idiotic for the provider to require you to re-login when you can’t. As a result I couldn’t use the app during an emergency. I’ll likely get rid of my InReach because of this incident, and because luckily, my iPhone came with emergency satellite messaging which worked great.

## Frequently asked questions about Earthmate

### What does the Earthmate app do?

The Earthmate app pairs with your inReach satellite communication device to enable sending and receiving text messages, navigating with maps, and planning trips. It turns your mobile device into a satellite communication, GPS navigation, and safety tool for outdoor adventures.

### What are the key features of the Earthmate app?

Key features include unlimited offline topographic maps, aerial imagery, hybrid maps, waypoint and route navigation, tracking and location sharing, high-detail GPS trip logging, unlimited cloud storage for trip data, and online trip planning. It also allows you to control your inReach device for messaging and SOS.

### Is the Earthmate app free to use?

The Earthmate app itself is free to download and use. However, to access the global Iridium satellite network for live tracking and messaging, including SOS capabilities, an inReach device with an active satellite subscription is required.

### What devices is the Earthmate app compatible with?

The app is designed to pair with inReach satellite communication devices via Bluetooth. It is compatible with compatible smartphones and tablets, allowing you to use your mobile device as a navigation and communication tool.

### How can I use the Earthmate app for my outdoor adventures?

You can use Earthmate to plan your routes and trips online via the Garmin Explore website, then sync them to your device. During your adventure, you can navigate using offline maps, track your progress, share your location with loved ones using LiveTrack, and communicate via text or email, even triggering an SOS if needed.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.3 — 2026-08-25

Configure LiveTrack settings and recipients from the app
Bug fixes and performance improvements

### 3.2.3 — 2026-06-23

Bug fixes and performance improvements

### 3.2.2 — 2026-04-06

Various bug fixes and improvements

### 3.2.1 — 2025-12-19

Bug fixes and performance improvements

### 3.2 — 2025-11-19

Support for multiple inReach Plans on your account
Bug fixes and improvements

## Apps similar to Earthmate

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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All apps by Garmin: https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952

## Related topics

[garmin earthmate](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/garmin-earthmate) · [delorme](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/delorme) · [earthmate](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/earthmate) · [inreach mini](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/inreach-mini) · [inreach messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/inreach-messenger) · [inreach](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/inreach) · [inreach app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/inreach-app) · [gps navigation hiking](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/gps-navigation-hiking) · [garmin messenger app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/garmin-messenger-app) · [garmin explore](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/garmin-explore) · [garmin inreach](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/garmin-inreach) · [garmin inreach mini 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/garmin-inreach-mini-2) · [maprogress](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/maprogress) · [garmin messenger](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/garmin-messenger)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*