MapSharing was not a deciding factor when purchasing a Garmin InReach+ but quickly became a feature we use on a regular basis. 

Love that our grandchildren and their parents can get online any time they want and see exactly where we are in our latest adventure even better, they can track us when we are on the way to their house. 

Next fall my daughter and two of my daughter-in-laws plan to do a hard 13-mile hike while the men stay home with the kids.  MapSharing allows the men to watch our progress from home.

Camping and kayaking on the Current River in Missouri is one of our favorite family activities.  Sometimes we plan it enough in advance that we can make reservations but not always.  In which case Michael and I will go to the river midweek and set up camp on the first-come-first-serve sites.  Cell signal along the Current River is non-existent and, in the past, we have had to drive up to 30 miles one way to send text.  Now with the InReach we text them which campground we are set up at, then with MapSharing they can go online and see exactly where we are eliminating all confusion.  Fridays are no longer spent worrying about the kids finding the camp site.  

Next fall my daughter, two daughter-in-laws and I plan to do a hard 13-mile hike while the men stay with the kids.  MapSharing will allow the men to watch our progress which will reassure them all is well.

That is just some of the scenarios we find MapSharing to be helpful.   In order to use MapSharing you must turn MapSharing on.  Below you will find the instructions to do so.

MapShare:  Turn On/Off and Manage

1.) Login into Explorer: https://explore.garmin.com/
2.) Select Social Tab
3.) MapShare Consent (must be checked to use MapShare)
4.) MapShare: On/Off Button
MapShare: On (green) must be showing to share
MapShare: Off (gray)
5.) MapShare Settings
Options:  Name (optional), Description (optional), PASSWORD (optional), Allow map viewers to send messages, Allow map viewers to locate you, Show way points created in the field.
6.) Filter MapShare Data:  Blank=All data visible to MapShare Viewers, Date=First day of data MapShare viewers can see.
7.) Your MapShare URL
This is the url of your MapShare.   Note: Clicking on the pencil at end of URL will allow you to customize your URL. 
8.) MapSharing Status
Shows if your MapSharing is On, Off or Password Protected.  Beginning date for data shown.  Number of collections available. 
9.) Share your MapShare via Email, Facebook, or Twitter
One click share buttons for Email, Facebook or Twitter, you must have accounts set up and linked to MapShare.  You can also share by simply sharing your MapShare URL via text. 

Don’t forget to to turn tracking on using your InReach or through the Earthmate App!