inReach Sync doesn't work anymore on my Mac Studio

From the beginning of this summer I have not been able to sync my inReach Mini (1st gen) on my Mac Studio (M1 Max). It tries to sync and stuck at the very first step (checking for new firmware version), then it just stops and throws a generic error.

My only workaround is to plug it to my work Windows 10 laptop. Here it too waits a lot for the firmware step to complete, then it continues to the rest of the process just fine.

Am I the only one with issues on M1 Silicon?

Top Replies

twolpert over 2 years ago in reply to skyeye +1

That is correct. Details here:

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Ja89gOYt437HdPcppbz4C9&productID=592606&tab=topics&topicTag=region_syncingdata

That article also covers data sync, either…

All Replies

0 twolpert over 2 years ago

Two things here.

First, the conventional wisdom on sync problems is to remove and reinstall sync. Also clear the browser cache.

Second, try logging into your account in sync and saving the credentials. Somewhere along the line, they "improved" sync with the ability to do f/w updates without logging in first. In my experience (and it has been a long time since I had a device which requires the use of desktop sync), this messes things up because it also attempts a data sync with undefined context. And no, I don't remember how to save the credentials.

If none of that works, open a support ticket. Unfortunately, Mac devices have always been second-class citizens to Garmin.

0 Labronico over 2 years ago in reply to twolpert

Unfortunately already did all of that, even the support request which has been ignored so far.

Maybe in the future I'll try some kind of virtualization just to get it synced on the Mac without having to turn on the work laptop. This until either I buy the new inReach mini 2 or Apple adds support for their iPhone 14 satellite feature in Italy as well.

0 twolpert over 2 years ago in reply to Labronico

If available in your time zone, use phone or chat support in preference to email. Based on forum feedback, email support is a black hole. Request goes in, nothing ever comes out.

I do know that Garmin has regional support centers. But being the in the US, I do not know how to make sure that you are contacting the proper regional support organization.

0 Labronico over 2 years ago

Happy to report that with no changes on my side (same macOS and inReach Sync versions) today I tried again and worked just fine.

Maybe Garmin fixed something server side. In any case I didn't receive any response from them.

0 skyeye over 2 years ago in reply to Labronico

not 100% sure abt the current functionality, but for the Mini (1) to update FW, I had to connect it to garmin express. The sync did not update the FW as it does on older inreach units.

0 twolpert over 2 years ago in reply to skyeye

That is correct. Details here:

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Ja89gOYt437HdPcppbz4C9&productID=592606&tab=topics&topicTag=region_syncingdata

That article also covers data sync, either via Earthmate or via the wired sync. Being on a Mac throws an extra layer of uncertainty into the process. Based on forum traffic, Mac users are significantly more likely to have problems than Wndows users.