Understanding Intelligent Routing™ and Message Status
The EVERYWHERE platform sends messages over whichever network is available: Wi-Fi, cellular data, or Iridium satellite. EVERYWHERE Intelligent Routing™ handles that automatically, but admins also have the option to lock a device to a specific path. This article covers how routing works in the app, how to configure the communications path for a device in the Hub, and what every message status means.
How Intelligent Routing™ works
Intelligent Routing™ exists because field teams rarely have the same network conditions from one hour to the next. A crew might start the day on Wi-Fi at a staging area, switch to cellular on the road, and lose both once they reach a remote worksite. Rather than requiring anyone to manually switch networks, the app monitors what's available and routes messages automatically based on the priority order you set.
When a Garmin inReach is paired with the app, Iridium satellite coverage joins the mix as a third option. That means a message can still go out even when cellular and Wi-Fi are both gone. The EVERYWHERE Hub monitors which path the app is using and sends messages back to that device over the same network, so both directions stay coordinated without any extra steps.
Setting network priority in the app
Each app user controls their own routing order. To configure it:
- Open the EVERYWHERE App and go to Settings.
- Select Intelligent Routing.
- Tap Edit and drag the networks into the preferred order.
Wi-Fi first, cellular data second, and satellite third works well for most users. It keeps satellite usage in reserve, which matters if your plan includes a set number of satellite message credits. Teams operating in areas with poor cellular coverage sometimes put satellite higher in the order to make sure messages get through without delay.
Preferred Communications Path (Hub admins)
Admins can also control how messages are delivered to a specific device directly from the Hub. The Preferred Communications Path field appears on the Device Details page for any device that supports both Iridium and data traffic. Users with modify permissions can change this setting.
There are four options:
| Path setting | How it works |
|---|---|
| Intelligent Routing default | The Hub delivers messages to the device over whatever path the device last used. If the last communication came in over satellite, messages go out over satellite. If it came in over data, messages go out over data. This is the default behavior and works well for most teams. |
| Data Only | Messages are delivered to the device over cellular data only. Satellite is not used for inbound messages. |
| Satellite Only | Messages are delivered to the device over the Iridium satellite network only. |
| Dual Path | Messages are delivered over both satellite and data simultaneously. |
Important notes for Data Only
When a device is set to Data Only, over-the-air (OTA) configuration changes will not reach the device in the following situations:
- Beacon Interval updates will not be received OTA.
- Stationary Interval updates will not be received OTA.
- OTA configuration will not be applied following a factory reset.
Important notes for Satellite Only
Some platform features do not work over satellite. When a device is set to Satellite Only:
- Messages that are not supported over satellite will be dropped. Geofence alerts are one example.
- Team tracking is not supported. The device user will not see teammates moving on the map in the app.
Message status reference
Every message in the EVERYWHERE App shows a status. Here is what each one means:
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Sending | The app is actively transmitting the message. It has not finished yet. |
| Sent: Data | The message delivered successfully over a cellular data connection. |
| Sent: Satellite | The message delivered successfully over the Iridium satellite network via the paired Garmin inReach. |
| Failed: Message not sent | The message did not go through. No network was available, or the connection dropped before delivery completed. Check network connections and try again. |
| Canceled | Stop Sending was selected while a media message was in progress. The message was not delivered. |
| Failed: [media type] message not downloaded | An incoming media file (photo, audio, or video) was not downloaded. This happens when the download was manually stopped, or when the device had no network connection at the time of the download attempt. Reconnect and tap the message to try again. |
What to do when a message fails
A Failed status usually means no network was available at send time, or the connection dropped mid-transmission. The most common fixes:
- Confirm Bluetooth is on and the Garmin inReach is paired and within range. Satellite messages route through the device, so pairing must be active.
- If there is no cellular or Wi-Fi, make sure the inReach has a clear view of the sky. Iridium satellite requires an unobstructed line to the sky to acquire signal.
- Tap the failed message to retry.
- For a media file showing a "not downloaded" status, reconnect to Wi-Fi or cellular and tap the message to retry the download.
Satellite messages and media files
Media behaves differently over satellite than over cellular or Wi-Fi. When a photo is sent using the EVERYWHERE App paired with a Garmin inReach Messenger Plus, a low-resolution thumbnail goes out over satellite first. The recipient can download the full-resolution version later over cellular or Wi-Fi. Voice messages work the same way, and recipients get an automatic text transcription alongside the audio so they can read it when playing sound isn't practical.