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Garmin Explore™

Garmin Explore™

Explore with a Garmin device

928 ratings
529 reviews
#87 in free Navigation
🗺️ Navigation
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • October 15, 2018
  • June 2, 2026

Developer

Garmin
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Garmin Explore™ screenshot #1 for iPhone
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Garmin Explore™ screenshot #6 for iPhone
📉no. 87
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About

Navigate off-grid with this app, which pairs with a compatible Garmin device for trip planning, mapping, and navigation even without Wi-Fi or cellular service. Plan routes, download maps for offline use, and sync data to the cloud.

✓Off-grid navigation
✓Trip planning
✓Offline map downloads
✓Pair and sync with Garmin device
✓Activity library
✓Cloud storage
✓LiveTrack location sharing
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What users say

Summarized from real user reviews of Garmin Explore™. Based on 928 reviews and a 4.1/5 average, it highlights the 5 positives and 5 negatives reviewers mention most about this Navigation app.

Positive things

  • 👍Easy to use
  • 🚀Excellent for planning routes and activities
  • 💡Great for offline navigation with downloaded maps
  • 👍Seamless integration with Garmin devices
  • 👍Useful for tracking and sharing adventures

Negative things

  • 🐛Sync issues with Garmin devices
  • 🔍Lacking detailed map options in some regions
  • 🔍Confusing interface and terminology
  • 🐛Crashes and performance issues
  • 🔒Requires login and internet connection for full functionality
See all reviews

What's New in Garmin Explore™

4.14.1

June 2, 2026

Various bug fixes and improvements

Charts

Top Free

📉 87-3

Navigation

This app dropped -3 positions in Navigation chart.

Last updated on July 19, 2026.

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Buggy and crashes

Buggy and crashes
Review20202020Review20202020

Doesn't work for my average quality watch...

I was looking forward to this, my watch is a 1 year old Forerunner 265, which I think of as an okay & somewhat newer watch. But this is only for premium devices, plus it looks like Garmin charges for everything... of course. I'm a little disappointed by Garmin. I've had other similar experiences. I might be going back to my apple watch at some point....
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TheDutchman!TheDutchman!

Used world wide

Pretty good but specific to its devices. Still believe Gaia (outside wilderness)is the best with Google Maps for urban and quick fix
AmblingAmbling

Great Product

This is a great app, especially on road trips. Thai app needs to be rebooted once in a while, but great overall.
PedaltopiaPedaltopia

Perfect Pairing

What a perfect pairing with Garmin devices. The maps are better than paid apps. I love the simplicity of everything once synched across from device. 10/10
Jason WestonJason Weston
See 524 more reviews

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User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

4 issues

Sync failures between app and Garmin devices

Bug

Disappearing or corrupted user data

Bug

Compatibility issues with newer iOS/Android versions

Bug

Unreliable offline map downloads

Bug
✨

Requested Features

5 requests

Ability to edit waypoint coordinates

Feature

More customization options for map layers and displays

Feature

Improved route planning and navigation features

Feature

Better syncing and data management between app and devices

Feature

Support for more Garmin device models

Feature

FAQ

What does the Garmin Explore app do?

The Garmin Explore app provides off-grid navigation, trip planning, and mapping capabilities when paired with a compatible Garmin device. It allows users to navigate, plan routes, download maps for offline use, and sync data to the cloud, even without Wi-Fi or cellular service.

What are the key features of Garmin Explore?

Key features include off-grid navigation, the ability to stream and download maps for offline use, pairing and syncing with compatible Garmin devices, easy trip planning with automatic course creation, an activity library to review saved data, cloud storage for waypoints and activities, and LiveTrack for real-time location sharing.

Is Garmin Explore free to use?

Yes, the Garmin Explore app is free to download and use. It offers unlimited map downloads, aerial imagery, waypoints, tracking, route navigation, GPS trip logging, location sharing, and unlimited cloud storage for routes, waypoints, tracks, and activities.

What devices is Garmin Explore compatible with?

The app is designed to be used with compatible Garmin devices. A full list of compatible devices can be found on the Garmin Explore website at https://explore.garmin.com/appcompatibility.

How can I plan a trip with Garmin Explore?

You can plan your next trip by downloading maps and creating courses within the app. Specify your start and finish points, and the app will automatically create a course that can be synced with your compatible Garmin device for navigation.