Reviews of Garmin Explore™

By: Garmin App

List of user reviews and ratings for Garmin Explore™

Total ratings

3.52 (Rating count: 5,590)

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Review summary

User reviews for Garmin Explore on Android are mixed. Many praise Garmin ecosystem integration and waypoint management in principle, and some report stability gains after updates. However, the majority cite serious reliability and UX issues: frequent crashes, unpredictable behavior, and data loss (waypoints deletion; offline data not accessible). Map details and offline maps are inconsistent or unreliable, and route planning features fall short for some users. Additionally, the subscription price and recent updates that remove features (messenger, weather) fuel dissatisfaction. Overall, the app works for some but has notable regressions that hinder critical backcountry use.

Pros

Solid Garmin device integration and data syncing (e.g., syncing hunts from Alpha handheld) and waypoint management capabilities.
Helpful waypoint management UI on supported devices (clear UI for managing waypoints).
Overall usability for some users and peace of mind on solo adventures.
Updates have, for some users, improved functionality and usefulness.

Cons

Frequent crashes and reliability issues (app closes on launch; crashes during sync; laggy).
Poor UI/UX with non-intuitive organization and inconsistent behavior (inconsistent zoom/UI) .
Maps/offline data quality and reliability problems (names not showing, offline data inaccessible, map details unreliable).
Data loss risks such as waypoints being deleted or not syncing properly.
Subscription price/value concerns and recent updates that remove features or degrade functionality (e.g., messenger, weather).

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User Reviews

Recent rating average: 1.70

All time rating average: 3.52

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42% (73)

Date	Author	Comment
2026-08-26	Re*****	i keep getting errors when i request weather and its probably going to be the death of me. i request weather on the updated app and device ans it tells me it cant give me forcaat data for every single request and IF I do get the report ..its about 12 to 15 hours later. I pay for the unlimited plan and shouldnt havethis issue but here we are. I just pray the sos feature works if I ever need again.
i keep getting errors when i request weather and its probably going to be the death of me. i request weather on the updated app and device ans it tells me it cant give me forcaat data for every single request and IF I do get the report ..its about 12 to 15 hours later. I pay for the unlimited plan and shouldnt havethis issue but here we are. I just pray the sos feature works if I ever need again.
2026-08-24	aa*****	Scaled topographic maps were removed in the latest update, and replaced with an imitation AllTrails 3D thing that can't be turned off. All zoomed in maps can only be viewed as a 3D shape (with not to scale lines on it) from a motion sickness inducing overhead view. The 2D/3D button only toggles between an overhead or angled view, but it is still 3D, with bad angular distortion as you scroll around. Support has failed to offer a way to access 2D maps. Maps are no longer accurate.
Scaled topographic maps were removed in the latest update, and replaced with an imitation AllTrails 3D thing that can't be turned off. All zoomed in maps can only be viewed as a 3D shape (with not to scale lines on it) from a motion sickness inducing overhead view. The 2D/3D button only toggles between an overhead or angled view, but it is still 3D, with bad angular distortion as you scroll around. Support has failed to offer a way to access 2D maps. Maps are no longer accurate.
2026-08-24	Ev*****	If I'd got a task to write most unintuitive and useless application, the result would probably be garmin explorer.. 🙄
If I'd got a task to write most unintuitive and useless application, the result would probably be garmin explorer.. 🙄
2026-08-23	Ry*****	Could be good, but is pretty unreliable. MPAs partially load, or don't show topographic information. Offline downloads hang when near complete
Could be good, but is pretty unreliable. MPAs partially load, or don't show topographic information. Offline downloads hang when near complete
2026-08-22	Mi*****	Still doesn't work on S26 series and maps don't download.
Still doesn't work on S26 series and maps don't download.
2026-08-21	Y *****	A bit dated map UX but works well to organize my GPSMAP and synchronize tracks and pins with my Fenix.
A bit dated map UX but works well to organize my GPSMAP and synchronize tracks and pins with my Fenix.
2026-08-21	Ce*****	Poor User Interface. Not intuitive at all and perpetually confusing.
Poor User Interface. Not intuitive at all and perpetually confusing.
2026-08-19	Ro*****	All this app does is allow the user to download Garmin files to the etrex SE. Trust Garmin to make a gadget and an app that benefit only Garmin.
All this app does is allow the user to download Garmin files to the etrex SE. Trust Garmin to make a gadget and an app that benefit only Garmin.
2026-08-19	Kj*****	Insanely slow to download maps, regardless of connection speed
Insanely slow to download maps, regardless of connection speed
2026-08-18	Je*****	It's really nice when you're trying to access your offline maps and you get a login prompt. I don't think they really thought that through. Even when you are able to use the app offline, it's a pain trying to actually find your offline maps. Takes like four clicks and it's not intuitive.
It's really nice when you're trying to access your offline maps and you get a login prompt. I don't think they really thought that through. Even when you are able to use the app offline, it's a pain trying to actually find your offline maps. Takes like four clicks and it's not intuitive.