can i use messenger without an in reach device

6739012 4 days ago

Totally daft question probably, but can I use the Messenger App to send and receive text (SMS) messages without having an in Reach device. My phone and watch are compatible. I want to use it to communicate by SMS only without access to wi fi or phone network. I don't have an in reach device of any sort or other satellite comms device.

0 BeneGi 3 days ago

I think you don’t understand some things.
SMS is only possible when you have access to to the mobile phone network. What you seem to do is like calling without network connection, this wont work.

Garmin Messenger doesn’t use the SMS protocol but uses a data connection to send messages like WhatsApp or other Messengers do. It first tries WiFi, then the mobile phone network (data connection) and if an Inreach device is connected, it will try it if your phone is offline. Similar to iMessage falling back to SMS when there is no data connection (green checkmark instead of a blue one).

You can use Messenger without an Inreach device, but you still need some sort of Data connection your phone can use.

0 6739012 3 days ago in reply to BeneGi

Thanks. I think my query was clumsy. I was just wondering if I could use Messenger without an in reach type device when I have no wi fi or data. The type of message (text, WhatsApp, e mail or whatever) is less important. I understand from your answer that I cannot. Most helpful of you. My occasional need to communicate “off grid” does not justify the cost of getting an in reach so I will have to think of some other way.