2023-02-11
Totally Let Down
The Zumo XT is a brilliant device. This software is incomprehensible and frankly should be a disgrace for garmin. Garmin, produce a decent piece of route planing software for your hardware, not this rubbish.
Updating
-7
#98 in Top Free Apps > Navigation
Re
#51 in Top Free iPad Apps > Navigation
iPhone Screenshots
iPad Screenshots
Description
Map, Track, Sync and Share Your Trek From Anywhere
For adventure seekers, explorers and outdoor enthusiasts, the Garmin Explore ecosystem offers a complete mobile navigation solution that — when paired with a compatible Garmin device¹ — lets you map, track and navigate your trek from anywhere with unlimited cloud storage.
Garmin Explore provides basic trip planning or viewing of maps you’ve preloaded on your device. Or you can use the mobile app to pair your smart device via BLUETOOTH®² technology with a compatible Garmin GPS device, so you can do and see even more.
Access Online Connectivity
Garmin Explore provides free online access to a wide range of additional capabilities. For example, you can download detailed topographic maps, color aerial imagery and other navigation aids directly to your mobile device. The maps and navigation data loaded onto your device can be used anywhere, anytime — even when you’re out beyond the reach of cellphone towers or internet connections.
Manage Your Collections, Tracks and Routes
Review and edit your waypoints, tracks, routes and activities in your library. Add them to a collection to keep all the recorded data from a certain trip together in one place. For example, if you’re taking a long trip, you can plan different waypoints, tracks and routes for each day of the trip and combine them into one collection.
Your Mobile Cloud Connection
The Garmin Explore app will send and store the waypoints, planned routes, GPS tracks and Garmin activities you've recorded in the cloud, allowing you to access and use that data on the Garmin Explore web site to plan or review your adventures. You can also sync your cloud-stored data with a compatible Garmin device. A Garmin account is needed to store your data in the cloud. Your activities (e.g., runs, walks, hikes, etc.) include data such as distance, pace, activity time, location, etc. that were recorded by your device.
More Off-grid Capability with inReach® Technology
Use Garmin Explore with your inReach enabled devices, such as the GPSMAP® 66i navigator and satellite communicator, to turn your mobile device into a true off-the-grid satellite companion. In an emergency, you can trigger an interactive SOS to the GEOS 24/7 emergency response team. Two-way messaging and LiveTrack location tracking via the 100% global Iridium® satellite network let you stay in contact globally. The Garmin Explore app allows you to access your phone’s contact list for easier messaging and sharing when connected.
What You Get with Garmin Explore
• Unlimited map downloads; access topographic maps, USGS quad sheets and more
• Aerial imagery
• Waypoints, tracking and route navigation
• High-detail GPS trip logging and location sharing
• Unlimited cloud storage of routes, waypoints, tracks, and activities
• Online trip planning
1. https://explore.garmin.com/appcompatibility
2. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.
What's New in Version 3.7.1
Bug fixes
Seller
Name
Garmin International
Information
Developer
Categories
Version
3.7.1
Size
113.2 MB
Game Center
No
VPP Device Licensing
Yes
Rating
Rated: 4+
Compatibility
iOS 14.0 or later
Devices
iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPad (5th Generation) Wi-Fi, iPad (5th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (6th generation) Wi-Fi, iPad (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro, iPad Pro (Cellular), iPad Pro (9.7-inch), iPad Pro (9.7-inch) (Cellular), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (10.5-inch), iPad Pro (10.5-inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11-inch), iPad Pro (11-inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air, iPad Air (Cellular), iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 (Cellular), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini Retina, iPad mini Retina (Cellular), iPad mini 3, iPad mini 3 (Cellular), iPad mini 4, iPad mini 4 (Cellular), iPad mini (5th Generation), iPad mini (5th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (7th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (4th Generation) (Wi-Fi), iPad Air (4th Generation) (Wi-Fi + Cellular), iPad (8th generation) Wi-Fi, iPad (8th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th Generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (9th Generation), iPad (9th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (6th Generation), iPad mini (6th Generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Air (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (10th generation), iPad (10th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPod touch (6th Generation), iPod touch (7th generation)
Languages
English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malay, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
App Store: Customer Ratings
Ratings & Reviews
3.3 of 5 (60 Ratings)
App Store: Customer Reviews
2023-01-17
Good but needs a better map
Snap to create a route works well but the maps lack detail and are not pretty!
2023-01-10
New user
Absolutely fantastic!
2023-01-01
Should be better with inReach device
Useful for syncing waypoints etc between watches/devices.
When using inReach the Explore mobile app and Explore web site show different tracks in collections sync’d with inReach. Can’t manage MapShare data from Explore mobile app!
2022-12-09
Epix ✅ Edge 1040 Solar ❌
Have enjoyed using Explore for many years with a 945 then the Epix2, treated myself to an Edge 1040 Solar and it’s not compatible, really? So all the waypoints etc will have to be transferred via a PC/Mac, is it the 90’s??
2022-11-28
Garmin instinct solar tactical smart watch
This is a brilliant watch, has so many tactical features, and much more. Really pleased with it.
2022-09-13
Excellent update!
Excellent update that it now snaps routes on to paths on the map! Saves so much time!
2022-09-06
Clunky 1990s-style software
All garmin software is the worst I’ve ever used. Nothing works properly. Design is horrendous. Features are appalling, Bluetooth connection is a fight and only to 1 device (you have to delete the other first). You can’t even use software to add a custom map. And can this software update your GPS? It syncs with it. It has a button that says ‘Software Update” and it tells you what software is available for your device. But, no, it can not. It tells you you have to download another app for that (Garmin Connect) and although Garmin Explore (after a fight) shows as “Connected” to your device, when you open Garmin Connect to finally update the thing, it tells you “Not Connected”! On the same device!!! Then there’s the mapping: they discontinued Garmin Homebase before adding its features to Garmin Explore, which replaces it! The horrific software also forces you to use a PC to upload maps (I only have an iPad Pro and iPhone so I have to borrow one). I could go on and on and on. You only have to go online to see how many people in the world have wasted hours of their life pulling their hair out trying to get Garmin software to work for them. How can this company have got away with churning out such total garbage for so long? I’m praying the day someone produces dedicated GPS kit with REASONABLE useable software. How many thousands of Garmin devices will hit eBay that day!
2022-08-27
Ok. Huge potential. Big frustrations
Great 😃= route planning
Ok 😐= Bluetooth sync with watch
Extremely frustrating 😡 = deleting courses on watch, deletes corresponding course on explore. Why??? Just why Garmin? I want to clean my watch and save / sort routes on explore. It’s also very annoying that you can’t pan / easily zoom in and view a saved course without editing.
Potential ✅= gpx route import could be better and allow you to rename / choose sort folder - the current implementation is annoying. Needs to support more maps and satellite map view. Would be great to be able to buy and sync maps to my watch. Os maps would be great. Viewing all my routes on the map and zooming out would be useful. It would be cool for example to navigate with watch and use the explore map as a high res os maps backup device if the route reaches a tricky bit - I love that the route / user location shows on explore, whilst navigating using my watch.
2022-08-03
Great app for navigating
I use the Garmin app to plan all levels of walking and trail running expeditions. Primarily UK and Ireland and the map details are just right. Used in conjunction with my Instinct Solar I have a great nav toolkit to stay safe and on course.
2022-07-05
Unable to download required regions
It would be great if I could just download the area I need to navigate in rather than the whole country. I am in France and want to explore a very specific part of France (also bordering Switzerland), but to do so I need to download the whole of France and Switzerland at about 650Mb, when what I need is probably no more than 50Mb. It’s not complicated to allow the user to select the region they want and only download this.
2022-06-15
So much potential
This app works fine as described. But as often with Garmin software, so much potential is wasted on an unintuitive or clumsy UI or lazy software development. For instance, people using the app are very frequently out of cell range, but with some GARMIN devices you need the cloud to sync with the app—it’s so annoying if you happen to be using a Garmin for interesting adventures. And why can’t users edit tracks on the move—just seems dumb. I need a computer—seriously!
2022-06-03
App not syncing
Have deleted and reinstalled this app several times and yet fails to sync to Strava, takes forever to sync any local walks that I do. Not happy, waste of an app. Going to have to use my phone in the armband again like old times.
2022-05-25
The Best
You can’t beat perfection.
2022-05-23
Good for walking, pants for geocaching
No way does this app replace BaseCamp. Not even close.
It’s great for producing walking or hiking routes - I’m very happy with that aspect.
Geocaching is not so good I’m afraid - I can import a geocache .gpx file, and even create a course with the imported coordinates, and this will even save as a route - however, for some reason, this route will not then transfer to my GPSMAP 64s. No idea what the problem is.
2022-05-07
Useful app
Well I love it especially for weighpoint creation & cyncing with watch. However it requires internet for for creating new way point.
Is there a way it can used offline please, because this is important for hiking
2022-04-06
Not very easy to organise collections
Not very easy to organise collections. I found it very easy to create a complete mess. Also I cannot see how to rename routes.
2022-04-06
None of my devices are supported
Um, I have 14 devices registered with Garmin. Many are no longer in use, or sold on but the newer ones are. So very disappointing to find that none of them are supported by this app. I’m not going to buy a new device just to use this app.
2022-03-06
Ok
Maps lack detail.
2022-02-08
Meh
Not the most exciting or dynamic app. I think any serious outdoor user knows topo maps are crap. Garmin you have an amazing opportunity here. With the demise of Viewranger next week, the terrible app that is Outdoor Active and the shonkiness of OSMAPS, to pull a blinder and create an amazing all encompassing nav set up. Especially as folks are using your devices anyway. Get proper maps such as IGN and Ordamce Survey. Put in proper nav features including snap route planning etc and dont fill it with bloatware. Best bit!! You can charge for it. Pleeeeeeeeese
2022-01-08
Great situational awareness
This app is great for using with my Garmin instinct. Especially for planning routes, recording and setting start points for which ever sport as well as pointing out a meeting point.
The only request I would make is that the mapping could use BNG datum as well
2021-12-28
Was OK but now totally useless
This app used to work as advertised, but since an update was released back in May 2021, it has been totally useless. It refuses to exchange any data at all with my GPSMAP 66s always bombing out with a ‘Sync failed’ error message. One star rating only because no stars is not an option.
In response, Garmin e-mailed me a set of instruction on how to ‘solve’ the problem. When they didn’t work, I went one stage further and deleted and reinstalled the explore app. That did not solve the problem either. I was even less impressed by a ‘contact the developer’ link in the e-mail which did no such thing and simply took me to a web page that repeated the content of the e-mail. My review currently stands. I have an explore app that is permanently attempting to sync with the GPS unit pausing every seven minutes or so to issue a ‘sync failed’ message.
Update: I have just discovered that the ‘map’ feature uploads the current track to my iPhone almost in real time as expected. This proves that Explore is communicating with GPS unit. The problem would appear to be that the GPS is not sending activity,route, waypoints or tracks in a format that Explore understand hence the ‘sync failed’ error.
2021-11-27
Brilliant
This app is fantastic. You can now easily create routes and send them to your Garmin without a PC. Brilliant. Couldn’t ask for more!
2021-10-09
Explore.
A very useful app. Pleased with it so far !! Thanks .
2021-08-31
Sync problems
My device has been unable to sync for 11days
2021-08-18
The worst thing about GPSMAP66i is this app
App is a disgrace! Simple things are impossible. It should be simple to create tracks that can be seen on the GPSMAP without faffing about with unfathomable collections and routes and tracks which you then can’t find on your GPS…..
This app has been crap for years and Garmin arrogantly refuse to take onboard the feedback.
It need writing so a user can use it when out in the field. It needs to be simple and intuitive - which this app simply is not…
2021-08-13
Good start but went down hill.
This app has been great for transferring routes and finding new ones. However after a few runs the routes now seem to have lines from the start to every waypoint making them impossible to see on the map.
I’ve deleted the app and will reload to see if that makes a difference.
2021-06-27
Not suitable for use in Great Britain
I wish I had read some of the comments on here before spending hours trying to upload a route to my new 65s.
Hello Americans… we live in GB… we need to upload our waypoints too!!!
Please can you do an update asap so I can upload OS GB waypoints for my upcoming trip from the Explore App.
I’m sure everybody across the pond would be grateful!
2021-05-29
No GB OS Grid search
Good app for sending routes to device. However, absolutely beyond belief that it doesn’t support British OS Grid references. My Fenix 6 and Oregon both support it out of the box. This Explore app has British OS grid as an option under Datum but is not supported for coordinates. Checked the forum and people have been complaining to Garmin for over two years about this simple omission. Still not fixed. Ridiculous.
2021-04-27
Good
Good app. Easy to use and very interactive with the Garmin Fenix. There should however be an option to use miles for horizontal distance and meters for vertical distance. The map itself is good enough, a little more detail would be better, and OS map style would be preferable.
2021-04-27
Great Planning Tool
I have used this to help plan a cycle from Lands End to John O Groats passing through each National Park planning a walk to the highest summit in each park and to plot accommodation, marking schools that will be visited along the way to give talks about this and getting outdoors with the whole journey being filmed. Garmin Explore really has proven to be a one stop shop......Happy for Garmin to sponsor the challenge lol!!!!
2021-04-14
Just awful.
I bought myself a MAPGPS 64sx and because of this app, expensive TOPO maps and pc interface I’m having to return it. Seemingly impossible to transfer a gpx file to it rendering the GPS pointless.
2021-03-22
Awesome!
Lets be honest Basecamp was a horrible user experience IMO and I avoided it at all times, the simplicity of Garmin Explore is fantastic. I bought the Zumo XT purely for its ability to actually track UK Green Lanes with the “Off Road” mode. I had no idea about Garmin Explore when I purchased the XT but what a pleasant surprise. I can plot and import tracks directly from the OS Maps App straight into Garmin Explore and it sync’s automatically to the XT when I power it up.
2021-01-12
Constant ‘sync failed’ errors
Honestly, reliability of this app (already a low, low bar) has been backsliding in recent updates. It will no longer sync reliably at all!
2021-01-01
Fails to see my watch
App fails to see my watch and to sync anything. Pretty useless.
2020-12-23
Good app
Good app easy to use - I’m sure it could be given a little more functionality but still worth using
2020-12-04
Korea Missing
Don’t seem to be able to add any maps for Korea. Not able to find it with the ‘select region’ function (which shows me repeated tiles saying ‘zoom out’ and never showing any sort of location) and random panning got me only as close as Taiwan.
Have the Korea maps on my Forerunner 945 but hopefully will be able to use the Explorer app to map routes with it soon, will change the review if so.
2020-10-07
Does the job!
I create custom OS Maps routes on my PC, they appear in the iPhone app, and then I export them to Garmin Explore, and then they appear on my Fenix 6. Works every time
2020-08-31
Lack of anything
Can’t add more map, can’t import gpx from ViewRanger, can’t change maps, lack of detail on map I do have. Really poor effort
XS running 13.6.1
2020-06-22
So far,so good
I had my 66i under a week. Explore app about the same. Don’t understand how folk having issues with creating route or sync them. It’s quite easy, and I haven’t read manual yet.
The only issue I can see at the moment, there is no map legend. I’m planning the route, and would like to know more info about the map. Unless I’m missing something.
2020-06-08
Great for importing GPX files
Ideal app for importing GPX files from other sources to add to linked Garmin gps units or watches. Simple to use although the mapping included on Explore is not ideal for off road route planning as it’s difficult to decide if a path is just a path or a footpath or a bridle way.
2020-04-26
Perfect except...
Without being able to import and export gpx files (created by basecamp), unfortunately this app has no use for me.
I await an upgrade with hope and also suggest that the 200 limit for routes is increased.
2020-02-16
Garmin watch won’t connect to iphone and ipad simultaneously
This app is totally useless as you can’t connect a Garmin watch to an iphone and an ipad simultaneously via bluetooth.
2020-01-13
Shows a lack of attention to detail
Edited -
I have recently editing this comment as I’ve become more familiar with the app.
I’ve given it 3-stars because it’s okay and has some way to go.
My main issue with the app is the damn illogical and often frustrating the user experience on both the internet based and mobile apps.
Here are some really difficult issues I’ve had to work through -
1:
I own a Garmin Instinct and The watch doesn’t work in the same way as the app -
‘Waypoints’ are called ‘Locations’
‘Routes’ are called ‘Courses’
‘Tracks’ are called ‘Courses’
Garmin makes things complicated enough without giving the same functionality different names on different devices.
2: As the app doesn’t come with any instructions, If Garmin seems to think that a customer can just pick it up and make it work, they must be living in cloud cookoo land. Some of the hidden settings mean that syncing routes (Courses) just doesn’t happen.
3: Route you create online save backwards and it’s impossible to invert routes within the app.
4: You can’t send your route to a friend of family member within the app
5: You can’t import or export GPX files from within the mobile app.
I can only conclude that Garmin do not pay enough attention to detail when it comes to their after market customer experience. This is such a shame as their hardware is excellent. The apps however reduce functionality significantly.
My Garmin Instinct is an amazing device, but it’s map functionality is worse than apps on my Apple Watch. Considering this is why I made the purchase I am disappointed. It’s all down to this terrible app.
Come on Garmin, get your act together.
2019-10-01
Makes no sense
Don’t understand why it’s not in tune with the rest of the Garmin estate? I plan a route in Garmin Explore and yet it doesn’t show on my Fenix 5s despite syncing ok? Fine, I might have missed something but shouldn’t it be seamless? Also appears that Garmin aren’t responding on these reviews.
2019-09-14
No Ordinance Survey GB support yet?
Why is there an option to change the Datum to Ordinance Survey GB but you can’t enter a GB Grid Ref as a waypoint? You can only enter Degrees. Very annoying.
2019-06-22
Missing basics
For an app that is supposed to interface with navigation devices, it is a sad lack that you can not take gps files from websites and sync them to a GPS device. It’s the main thing most hikers would want!
2019-06-05
No facility to download GPX files?
It’s a pretty basic function that lots of GPS apps have built in as standard, but not this one? I just want to be able to download a GPX track file from a route sharing site (not Wikiloc) into this app, view it, then send it via Bluetooth to my GPSmap 66 so I can navigate with it.
2019-04-30
Exactly what you need to easily create a route
Basecamp is slow, often doesn’t work and is a pain to carry around a laptop all the time. This app is essentially Basecamp in an app. Only 4 starts as you only get openmaps at the moment. When you can get the TOPO maps you’ve paid for then it will be 5 stars!
2019-01-18
Won’t do anything
Says no supported device even though the 935 is on the supported device list and it’s the latest firmware. It just goes round in a loop, sign in, go to the Connect app, back to Explore, back to Connect ad infinitum
2018-12-19
Very limited
I own various Garmin maps associated with my Garmin ID; would be great if those maps were available for use on Explore.
All about the maps.
—
Garmin, if you’re reading, please add a “train” icon to the list of waypoint symbols.
Worldwide aerial mapping would also be appreciated.
Ta muchly
—
Poor map support here in the UK; no Ordnance Survey maps and no aerial imagery.
No option for an OS subscription; such as with ViewRanger.
With such poor mapping what is the point?
I own various digital mapping that is associated with my Garmin ID; would be good if these were available within the app.
Garmin sells many map products yet none are available within the app.
This lack of mapping is a huge oversight.
Routes created in the app are limited to 200 points.
Very limited support for hardware, hopefully existing products will be added in due course.
No ability to filter multiple routes within a single collection; all routes show making the map confusing if sharing common tracks.
Garmin Explore and Garmin Earthmate do very similar things; be nice if there were a single unified platform.
Will give Garmin some credit, there is a an update to the app.
The app does have huge potential if Garmin does things well; time will tell.
2018-11-24
Brilliant
This is the app Garmin needed. Works perfectly to plot routes and head straight out the door wherever you are. Would be great to add OS Map support soon!
2018-11-13
Great potential
Right now you can create simple routes using Openstreetmaps (in UK no other maps are supported) and transfer them to my 935 (supported but only beta right now) while offline (no WiFi or 4g needed). That’s a great start! You can also plot waypoints on the phone map, transfer them to the watch and navigate to that waypoint, again all offline. Been able to easily control what tracks, routes and waypoints are on the watch is really useful :-) Unfortunately it’s all very basic right now with many basic tools missing. I can find no way of importing gpx files from other sources and elevation data isn’t transferred to the watch along with the route. I’m giving it 4 stars because what there is works well and the potential for this app is huge.