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
Want to find the perfect GPS for your own requirements, please chat with the the Outdoor GPS Shop AI Sales Executive - 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.
