Can anyone tell me how I transfer logged tracking points to my Earthmate app while on a hike? Sorry if this sounds like a noob question, but I just cannot find the info that I need.

I'm with you on this. I'm having a hard time getting all set up, and I'm an engineer. But then, I'm not the youngest guy on this forum. So I'm hoping someone will give you a great answer. 

My other issue is that when I send a standard message to my wife's cell phone, she can't see the map. 

Yes, and this forum not that active. I did get my Q answered over at the REI forum:

"You have to have the Mini on, registered and the the Bluetooth connected and it just happens if the Earthmap app is paired and is active on both your phone and the mini. 

Logging points are the locally stored GPS points that the mini does not "Send" to the satellite.  You can configure the mini to just log ("Log Interval" set to a period) and not Send ("Send Interval" set to off)  Sent points go to the Garmin account and you have to pay for them.  You don't pay for Logging points.

Logging points are sync'ed with Earthmate via Bluetooth.  I have found that the mini does not always sync Logging points immediately.  I haven't figured out if it syncs the logged points via Bluetooth more frequently if it is also "Sending".  

There is a "Sync" menu item in Earthmate on the dot,dot,dot menu but it sync's with the online Garmin account via Wifi or the Phone data. There is also a "Check for Messages"  but it just forces the Mini check the satellite for Messages.  Note: You have to pay for Messages both sent and received although you can send unlimited Preset Messages (both message and recipients are preset) from the Mini as long as you have an active (ie paid for) account.

Note: "Auto Track" is a power saving mode that turns off Bluetooth and Logging.  The Mini only switches on and "Send"s its position to the Satellite on its Send period.  I'm not sure if it ever turns on Bluetooth and syncs with the Earthmate app when this mode is on.  With Bluetooth off the Earthmate app can only get points if it has Wifi and can connect to the Garmin account."

I did figure it out, and after testing in the field, I think I will stick with AllTrails Pro for live tracking - Much faster, less battery drain, and more accurate. 

In my experience, the points go to the app in “batches”, probably based on point count. I have never found a way to do the transfer on demand.

Right - Another reason why I prefer AllTrails - much smoother and more deatiled.

Great info! I did my first real test run yesterday, and here is where I'm still having issues:

When I send a preset message to my wife, she receives it, but the link to see the map doesn't work. First, it is truncated by one letter. Instead of ending with ".com", it ends with ".co". With enough fiddling, she can add the "m", but she shouldn't need to do that. 

I'm also still a bit unclear on what info is where, although I think I'm beginning to get a grip on it. When tracking, the inreach sends via Bluetooth to my phone the location information. But unless I ask it to send the info out via satelite, it doesn't get past my phone. Two questions: 1. Does it use messaging against my paid allowance to send it out?   2. Can I send it with my cell phone, although there isn't much point to that since my wife can see where I am anyway if I have cell coverage. 

Bottom line, I'm going to be riding motorcycle on dirt roads that have no cell coverage. If I go down and can't get up, I want her to be able to see where I am. If I send her a "bring the trailer" message, I want her to be able to see where I am. 

You mentioned AllTrails. Does this replace the Garmin Earthmate Ap? Can I assume this will work fine tracking me on my MC even though it seems to be designed more for hiking? 

Problem with link in presets sounds like a bug. Open a support ticket.

There are two kinds of track points - sent and logged. Sent points go via satellite. They are charged against the track point allowance on your plan. They show up on MapShare more or less in real time. Loved points remain on the device and in paired app until you sync app with web site. At that point, they also show up on the web. No charge for these. If all goes well, sent and sync-d logged points show up as a single track on the web.

All messages carry location info. To make the message show up in MapShare, you must include MapShare as a recipient.

Alltrails is not a replacement for Earthmate. On an iPhone, Alltrails can probably use the iR device for location. Not sure about Android, but I think not.

I chatted with Cal at Garmin. It looks like my preset messages, plus the location link, might be over the 160 character max. I have not counted yet, but this seems quite likely. 

I'm still confused on some things, but I think I can work through it all, perhaps with some help here and on REI. 

Thanks for the input!