10 Garmin inReach Tips and Tricks (I Wish I Knew Sooner!)

HikingGuy.com August 23, 2025
Video Thumbnail
HikingGuy.com Logo

HikingGuy.com

@hikingguy

About

HikingGuy helps you hike smarter: safer planning, clear trail guides, and real-world gear testing. I publish step-by-step trail guides (including bucket-list hikes), hiking skills and safety (planning, navigation, what to do when things go sideways), and outdoor tech that matters like Garmin inReach, GPS devices, and hiking smartwatches. My reviews are independent and based on field use, with no paid sponsorships influencing what I say. If you want reliable, no-nonsense advice you can actually use on the trail, subscribe and start with the playlists below. HikingGuy.com

Video Description

Garmin inReach tips I wish I knew sooner: from safety settings to hidden risks that could even get you arrested overseas. *Lowest inReach Prices I Found:* * https://amzn.to/3Vk44wY * https://rei.pxf.io/LKGaWY *Gear I'm Using Now:* * inReach: https://hkgy.co/inreach * Hiking App: https://hkgy.co/app * Watch: https://hkgy.co/watch * Shoes: https://hkgy.co/shoes * Pack: https://hkgy.co/backpack * Rescue Insurance: https://hkgy.co/insurance *Full Hiking Gear List (What I Use Now - Tested & Not Sponsored):* https://hikingguy.com/gear _Big thank you to Overwatch X Rescue and Dubanok for helping out on this video (not sponsored or paid video though):_ * Overwatch x Rescue: https://overwatchxrescue.pxf.io/e1JW3j * Dubanok: https://www.youtube.com/@dubanok2213 *Links:* * Even More Tips: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-gear/garmin-inreach-tips-tricks/ * Subscription Calculator: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-gear/garmin-inreach-subscription-cost-breakdown/ * Garmin Banned Countries: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Dq3CEPZjfRAhtToGD4Yrz9 * More Banned Countries: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-gear/garmin-inreach-tips-tricks/ * Arrested Story: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DESjEsxNfBT/ * inReach Alerts: https://adionaalert.com * Garmin System Status: https://status.inreach.garmin.com/ * Not supported numbers: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=yXoxVcbPy03zNAfHb4sbj5 * Apple Voice Typing: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/dictate-text-iph2c0651d2/ios * Android Voice Typing: https://support.google.com/gboard/answer/2781851?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid * Law Enforcement Request: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Ksuy2SeuN47bjedPJ2zDPA * Website: https://hikingguy.com * Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/hikingguy * Monthly Hiking News (free): https://www.patreon.com/c/hikingguy/ * Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/Hikingguy 00:15 Always Include Location 00:36 Voice Typing 01:19 Speed Sending 01:51 Unsupported Recipients 02:29 Don't Miss Messages 02:49 Better Mapshare 03:28 Tracking vs Tracking 04:42 Save Someone's Life 05:33 Leave Your inReach On 06:09 Traveling with inReach When I first started using the Garmin inReach, I thought I knew what I needed to get by. But over the years, I’ve picked up a handful of tricks and lessons—some learned the hard way—that have made using the inReach not only easier, but also safer and more reliable. In this video, I’m sharing all the things I wish I knew when I first got my Garmin inReach, from setup tips to critical safety practices. One of the biggest things I learned early on is the importance of always including your GPS location when you send messages. It doesn’t cost extra, but it gives your contacts a direct link to your position, which can make a big difference in an emergency. I also cover a few simple hacks, like using your phone’s voice-to-text function to make messaging faster, and dropping a quick waypoint before sending a message to help avoid delays. These small changes can make your inReach much easier to use in the backcountry. I’ll also go over why you should always test messages before heading out, how to configure your inReach so you never miss an incoming alert, and how to make it simple for friends and family to contact you without needing an app. I explain the difference between internal tracking on the device and satellite location sharing, and how that affects your subscription plan. Plus, I’ll show you how leaving your device powered on—even when you’re not using it—could save your life. Finally, I touch on something that’s not talked about enough: international laws. Carrying a Garmin inReach in certain countries can get you detained or even arrested. I share a real story from an overlander who ran into serious trouble with a satellite communicator overseas. It’s an important reminder that while these devices are incredible safety tools, there are places where they’re not welcome. Whether you’re new to the Garmin inReach or you’ve been carrying one for years, these tips can save you time, frustration, and potentially a lot more. My goal is to help you get the most out of your device so you can focus on what matters—staying safe and enjoying the outdoors. @overwatchxrescue @dubanok2213 --- *Disclaimer:* Some of these links are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use and trust.