Can I use a Smarphone with no cell service for navigation and texting with an InReach Mini?

I want to buy an InReach Mini, but I don't have a smartphone. Well, I have one, but it doesn't work as a phone any more and I don't want to use it as a phone. Can I use an InReach Mini with a cell phone that doesn't have call capability or cell service? Can I use the app to display my location, route, waypoints etc. and to write texts sent through the Mini if the smartphone doesn't work as a phone any more? I would get the Explorer + instead, but they are back ordered until late November.

0 carleson over 3 years ago

yes, but you need Bluetooth to connect to the Mini, and wifi to download maps and apps.

0 twolpert over 3 years ago in reply to carleson

I am not entirely sure that this is true. The Mini requires the legacy Earthmate app. As with the newer Explore app (not applicable to the Mini), sync is a two-phase thing. Sync the phone with the device (via BT), then sync the phone with the web (via cell data or WiFi, if available). What I do not know is whether failure to sync with the web will interfere with the phone<> device sync.

0 revcph over 3 years ago

I use my mini and phone in airplane mode all the time, but you do need to make sure BT is on, so the phone and mini and can talk to each other. If your maps are downloaded and available for offline use, you're good to go. The messaging interface is much easier to use on the phone. You can pair it with watches too, but I'm not sure how useful that is personally.

0 twolpert over 3 years ago in reply to revcph

Wearables have some utility - but not for composing messages. You can see tracking info, get notification of (and view) inbound messages, etc.

0 3734078 over 3 years ago in reply to revcph

Thanks. This is what I was hoping would be true. It seemed logical, as the whole point of the InReach is to keep track of where you are when you don't have service. Even if the phone doesn't work as a phone, I can still hook it up to a computer or wifi to sync the software