Garmin App Reviews: Which One Do You Need?
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Garmin has a few different mobile apps, and if you’re new to GPS devices, it can be a bit confusing to know which one does what. Let’s break down the three big ones — Garmin Messenger, Garmin Connect, and Garmin Explore — so you know exactly what they’re for and who they’re aimed at.
1. Garmin Messenger
🧭 Main Purpose: Satellite communication using inReach
Best for:
- inReach users
- Off-grid adventurers
- Emergency communication and location sharing
What it does:
Garmin Messenger is designed for communication when you’re outside mobile coverage. It pairs with your Garmin inReach device (like the inReach Mini 2 or GPSMAP 67i) to let you:
- Send and receive two-way satellite messages
- Trigger an SOS emergency alert via GEOS
- Share your location with family and friends
- Use cellular or Wi-Fi when available for seamless messaging
Key features:
- Easy interface for chatting via satellite
- Works even if you’re out in the wilds with no phone signal
- Safety-focused for peace of mind during remote walks or expeditions
Not needed unless you use an inReach device.
2. Garmin Connect
🏃 Main Purpose: Health and fitness tracking
Best for:
- Runners, cyclists, swimmers
- Smartwatch users (Garmin Forerunner, Fenix, Epix, etc.)
- People tracking workouts, heart rate, steps, sleep, and more
What it does:
Garmin Connect is all about fitness, health stats, and activity tracking. It syncs with Garmin GPS watches and fitness devices to give you:
- Detailed insights into daily activity and training status
- Heart rate, VO2 Max, sleep, stress levels
- Training plans and race prep
- Connect with friends and join challenges
Key features:
- Graphs, reports, and training analysis
- Syncs to Strava and other platforms
- LiveTrack feature for sharing your activity in real time
Not used for: Mapping or navigating in the outdoors.
3. Garmin Explore
🗺️ Main Purpose: Mapping, trip planning, and navigation for outdoor adventures
Best for:
- Walkers, hikers, mountaineers, and expedition users
- Users of outdoor GPS units (e.g., Montana, eTrex, GPSMAP series)
- Planning and following routes in remote areas
What it does:
Garmin Explore is your go-to app for planning routes, syncing maps, and viewing waypoints/tracks. It’s ideal for managing your GPS trips when out on the trail.
- Download topographic maps and use offline
- Create or import routes and waypoints
- Sync everything to your Garmin GPS unit
- View your tracking and breadcrumb trail
Key features:
- Offline use – perfect for the hills
- Trip archive and sync with Garmin cloud
- Works with inReach tracking and messaging too
Not focused on fitness or smartwatch stats – it’s a navigation and mapping tool.
🧭 Quick Recap:
| App | Best For | Main Use |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Messenger | inReach users, off-grid comms | Satellite messaging + SOS |
| Garmin Connect | Smartwatch users, runners, athletes | Fitness + health tracking |
| Garmin Explore | Hikers, GPS users, outdoor nav | Offline maps + route planning |
✅ App Compatibility by Garmin Device
1. Garmin Messenger
🧭 For: Satellite messaging and SOS with inReach
💬 Compatible Devices (must have inReach tech built-in):
- Montana 710i / Montana 760i
🟠 If it has “i” in the name = inReach = works with Garmin Messenger
✅ You need an active inReach subscription to use it
2. Garmin Connect
🏃 For: Health, fitness, and smartwatch data
📱 Compatible Devices:
All Garmin GPS Watches
- Forerunner Series (e.g. Forerunner 55, 965)
- Fenix Series (e.g. Fenix 8, Fenix 7, Fenix 6)
- Epix (Gen 2)
- Instinct Series
Garmin GPS units
- GPSMAP67/ Garmin 67i
- Garmin Montana 710/ Garmin 710i and Garmin 760i
NOT compatible with many handheld hiking GPS units like the eTrex or Oregon series — they don’t track fitness metrics like steps, sleep, or heart rate.
3. Garmin Explore
🗺️ For: Outdoor mapping, route planning, and syncing tracks
📍 Compatible Devices (mostly handhelds and multisport watches):
- Handheld Outdoor GPS Units:
- GPSMAP 65 / GPSMAP 67 Series
- Watches (limited use for navigation syncing):
- Fenix 6 / 7/ 8
✅ Best for navigators, walkers, and adventure planners
Works offline with downloaded maps
