Why don't my online quick texts nor contacts sync to the device, when it says it has?

Hi, I connect my GPSMAP66i to my PC (Windows 10 Pro) via USB and both the device says it's synced and also at:

explore.garmin.com/Devices

it says it's sync'ing. Also Garmin Express says it's sync'ed. I click sync manually, to make sure, too.

I haven't done the whole, update all feature that says it will take a couple hours,

but if it's synced then why do my new, edited Quick Messages and new Contacts show as saved in

explore.garmin.com/Messages  and explore.garmin.com/Contacts

bu still do not reflect on the Garmin Montana series device, itself?

I am operating fine otherwise, sending and receiving texts and Mapshare Locate works etc.

Should I try another USB cable? I've done data with this cable like cameras but it mightn't be the one that came with it.

Weird it would think it's sync'ing but not.

Thanks!

  • Syncing cannot be done via the Explore website. It needs to be done via the Explore app. The instruction in Explore web are quite confusing in this regard, it looks like you can sync there, but you need the app to do this. So the Explore app syncs the changes you make in Garmin Explore web to your GPSMAP 66i.

    Garmin Express is only used for updating device software and installing maps. Not for syncing inReach data.

  • The Garmin Express program does not sync inReach account information to inReach handhelds. For more information, please see: Garmin Express is Not Syncing My inReach

  • Thanks, this is true, but:

    -What's confusing is, what caused me to ineffectively try Express is --- when you update a Quick Text on the Explore.garmin.com website, it says you should sync, and it sends you to:

    https://explore.garmin.com/Devices

    where there is a clickable sync icon that yields the following screenshot attached, actually mentioning Express, and/or an Explore app it says only works on phones – with no option for PC other than Express (at least now) which doesn't work for the quick text changes on the web that literally just sent you there via a pop up notice, themselves.

    I can see what's happening here by looking at 3rd party instructions and/or Wayback Machine:

    Apparently that sync info pictured used to recommend inReach Sync desktop app, and Earthmate mobile, but look at it now. No PC option but Express, which doesn't sync messages (but updating the quick texts or contacts on the website still sends you to that info. box pictured, bringing me here.

    These instructions and automated responses need attention, it seems, to everyone here looking at this.

    It no longer mentions a PC app like it used to. I'll go hunt the download manually, again, because the first two instruction sets have been outdated dead ends.

    1. Not only does it mention Express after specifically being prompted by updating a quick text or contact on the website, but there's no PC working option if Express doesn't work for this and

    2. it even has another live Sync icon you can click, suggesting something will happen when you click it. Does that icon turn green or something when you use a more comprehensive PC app to connect the device, and if not, why is it a clickable, live sync icon on the website?

    The path that is currently, automatically notifying us, when updating a quick text or contacts directly from explore.garmin.com, neither does what it intuitively suggests nor does it mention the apps that will actually sync the changes the website offers to change, if I'm using PC. At least not anymore, see image, thanks.

  • thanks so much for acknowledging the instructions are now confusing and broken exp. after updating the confusing sync box it sends you to to mention on Express in regard to PC, which doesn't work for what just sent you there (updating texts or contacts on the website). I'll go hunt down inReach Sync or something for PC, since instructions are broken for PC users

  • We apologize for the confusion. There is no way to sync inReach account information to a GPSMAP 66i via any desktop platform. All syncs take place through the Garmin Messenger app or the Garmin Explore app on an Android or iOS device. 

  • inReach Sync will not work, that application is not compatible with the GPSMAP 66i. The only way to sync inReach data to your GPSMAP 66i is with the Garmin Explore app or the Garmin Messenger app, as Garmin-Chris also said.