InReach Mini test function stuck on "waiting for response"

I reactivated my InReach Mini today for the first time in a year. The device itself is under 2 years old and last year it worked fine. Today I went outside to test a preset message, but my partner nor I ever received it via text nor email. In the Earthmate app it seems to show as sent because the spinning wheel by the message changed to the location icon.

Also, when I do a test under the Utilities section from the device, it gets stuck on "Waiting for Response" forever.

Earlier in the day I used the Garmin Explore website to send a test message to my InReach. Then in the app, I tried to reply to that message but never received an automated response (which it says it will do, and which it did just fine last year).

Help? I'm very frustrated. I updated to Firmware 3.80 and have contacted support. Will try support again tomorrow but my trip is in two days...

0 twolpert over 2 years ago

It sounds like perhaps the device is not really activated. Most likely, you will have to wait for a response from support. If the option is available, you are better off with phone or chat. Based on forum responses, email support is a black hole.

You should check your account at explore.garmin.com. First, check to be sure the site thinks the device is activated. Second, check the inbox to see what messages made it as far as the server. I do not believe that test messages appear here.

If at all possible, keep the various mobile apps OUT of your testing. Using the apps just introduces another variable which is difficult to account for.

In general, ANY status that you see on the sending end (on the device, in the app, or whatever) can tell you only whether or not the message left the device. There are a lot of moving parts in message delivery, especially for SMS. There is no "end to end message delivery" status available at the device or the app.

There was a brief activation/plan change outage on 8/23/22. There were no recent reported (emphasis on reported) outages for messaging. You can check status here: https://status.inreach.garmin.com/

This is also available from the upper right corner of the page at explore.garmin.com