Verizon's New Satellite Texting Service Isn't for iPhone Users

[MacRumors]

Apple introduced satellite connectivity for iPhones back in 2022, and since then, satellite messaging options have become the new must-have feature for carriers and other smartphone manufacturers.

Verizon today announced the launch of its satellite-based text service, which is available for select Android smartphone users through a partnership with Skylo. Skylo uses licensed mobile satellite spectrum that avoids interference with terrestrial signals to provide coverage in remote areas where there isn't traditional cellular signal.

Satellite texting through Verizon is only available for Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 smartphones, and unlike T-Mobile's Starlink integration, Verizon isn't able to expand the Skylo satellite texting option to iPhone users because it requires specific smartphone hardware.

iPhone users with an iPhone 14 or later already have access to satellite-based texting as of iOS 18 using the iPhone's built-in satellite connectivity available through Globalstar, but the option to connect to satellites from a second satellite company could increase the chance of being able to communicate in remote and rural areas.

Apple added Starlink support to T-Mobile iPhones with iOS 18.3, and T-Mobile subscribers are able to connect to Starlink for satellite-based texting thanks to a public beta test that T-Mobile is offering. Compared to Apple's built-in satellite option, Starlink has more available satellites and smartphones can connect automatically without needing to hold a device up to the sky.

While Verizon's Skylo satellite texting isn't available on the iPhone right now, Verizon is working on other satellite technology. The company is partnering with AST SpaceMobile to offer customers direct-to-cellular AST SpaceMobile service when terrestrial mobile networks are unavailable. When Verizon's AST SpaceMobile satellite partnership is ready, Verizon will likely be able to offer satellite texting for both iPhone and Android users.

AST SpaceMobile and Verizon plan to provide satellite connectivity that supports text, voice, and video calling capabilities. AST SpaceMobile currently has FCC approval to test five commercial BlueBird satellites with smartphones.

Article Link: Verizon's New Satellite Texting Service Isn't for iPhone Users

 

[xmach]

Are there any available technical details to explain what hardware that the Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 phones have that iPhones do not such that Verizon customers using Samsung and Google phones are able to use this Skylo satellite connectivity?

Does this have to do with the modems in the S25 and Pixel 9? The antennas? Both? Something else?

 

[Plutonius]

As per the earlier article today (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/19/apple-eu-interoperability-bad-for-products-users/), maybe the EU should go after Verizon to force them into making it available to iPhone users .

 

[MacuBooku]

Are there any available technical details to explain what hardware that the Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 phones have that iPhones do not such that Verizon customers using Samsung and Google phones are able to use this Skylo satellite connectivity?

Does this have to do with the modems in the S25 and Pixel 9? The antennas? Both? Something else?

If it's frequency dependent, the answer can easily be both.

 

[gsmornot]

People travel to remote locations to get away and here is this guy texting nonstop in the middle of nowhere disturbing the peace. Ha

 

[JosephAW]

Great. The EU will add this to the list of things the iPhone must support.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

In 2032: Today we at Apple would love to introduce this exciting new feature called satellite messaging. It's never been seen before in a phone, we think you're going to love it.

 

[sw1tcher]

Are there any available technical details to explain what hardware that the Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 phones have that iPhones do not such that Verizon customers using Samsung and Google phones are able to use this Skylo satellite connectivity?

Device needs a modem that's compatible with Skylo's NB-NTN (NarrowBand-Internet of Things Non-Terrestrial Networks) Radio Access Network (RAN). Both the Snapdragon X80 5G Modem found in the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the Exynos Modem 5400 used in the Pixel 9 are compatible with it.

The modems found in iPhones (e.g. Snapdragon SDX71M in iPhone 16 Pro, Snapdragon SDX70M in iPhone 15 Pro) do not support it.

More info here:

Google's Pixel 9 satellite SOS service takes off

Google's Pixel 9 is getting a satellite messaging service in North America | Google is working with Skylo to provide satellite-based emergency messaging services.

www.fierce-network.com

Google is getting into the space race. Following Apple’s launch of a satellite-based SOS emergency messaging service with the iPhone 14 in 2022, Google announced its new Pixel 9 Android phones, launched this week, can tap into satellite connectivity during a crisis.

But there's a catch.

The free emergency service, which uses Skylo’s radio access network (RAN) system on the ground to connect with Echostar, Viasat, Ligado Networks and TerreStar satellites, will be “limited” to start with, according to Tim Farrar, analyst at TMF Associates.

[ . . . ]

Skylo uses the 3GPP 5G release 17 non-terrestrial network (NTN) specification to connect 5G phones to satellites via its RAN infrastructure.

[ . . . ]

Samsung said in February 2023 that it will integrate the 5G NTN technology into its Exynos modem. Its S24 Galaxy Android smartphones didn’t support this technology; instead, they focused on consumer artificial intelligence.

Our guess is the technology will likely arrive in the S25.

 

[gsmornot]

Device needs a modem that's compatible with Skylo's Radio Access Network (RAN). The Snapdragon X80 5G Modem used in Galaxy S25 is as is the Exynos Modem 5400 used in the Pixel 9.

The modems found in iPhones do not support RAN.

RAN is what makes your cell service work.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

As per the earlier article today (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/19/apple-eu-interoperability-bad-for-products-users/), maybe the EU should go after Verizon to force them into making it available to iPhone users .

Pretty sure Verizon doesn't do business in the EU. Nice try though.

Great. The EU will add this to the list of things the iPhone must support.

Would be pretty fun to see the EU force Apple to innovate!

 

[_iCeb0x_]

As per the earlier article today (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/19/apple-eu-interoperability-bad-for-products-users/), maybe the EU should go after Verizon to force them into making it available to iPhone users .

I came here for this comment! 😂

 

[TheColtr]

I’m curious how this will shake out. You have Apple with their own satellite stuff for iPhone, T-Mobile/Starlink for select phones, Verizon for select android.

At the time it was a differentiator for Apple, if there comes a point where it isn’t, or even behind compared to carriers, will Apple discontinue it?

I’m sure the goal for all these companies is text, voice, and data through satellite. If it gets that good would satellite companies like Starlink form their own carrier?

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Someone should file a class action lawsuit against Verizon for discriminating against iPhone users.

 

[dustin_]

In 2032: Today we at Apple would love to introduce this exciting new feature called satellite messaging. It's never been seen before in a phone, we think you're going to love it.

This would be funny if Apple hadn’t introduced satellite messaging in 2022.

 

[sw1tcher]

Someone should file a class action lawsuit against Verizon for discriminating against iPhone users.

Blame Apple for not using Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem in the iPhone 16 series. The X80 was announced at Mobile World Congress on February 26, 2024.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., has been a leader in 5G technologies since inception, and today is continuing to set the pace of innovation by announcing the Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System, the seventh generation of its 5G modem-to-antenna solution. The Snapdragon X80 integrates a dedicated 5G AI Processor and 5G-Advanced-ready architecture, achieving several world’s first milestones including the first 5G modem with fully integrated NB-NTN satellite communications support, 6-antenna architecture for smartphones, 6X carrier aggregation, and AI-based mmWave range extension for fixed wireless access customer premise equipment (CPE).


Maybe the iPhone 17 series will get it, unless Apple decides to use their C series modem so they don't have to pay Qualcomm any patent royalties.

 

[X38]

Not been following Skylo, but looking it up now, doesn’t sound very interesting. Seems to rely on existing geostationary comsats - impressive range, but seems unlikely it will ever be capable of much bandwidth. Doesn’t seem practical they will be able to compete with the likes of AST Spacemobile. Which is also compatible with just about any contemporary smart phone as-is.

So the Android exclusivity on the Skylo thing seems pretty meh.

 

[baconcat_8964]

I think satellite communications might be a part of 6G standard.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Are there any available technical details to explain what hardware that the Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 phones have that iPhones do not such that Verizon customers using Samsung and Google phones are able to use this Skylo satellite connectivity?

Does this have to do with the modems in the S25 and Pixel 9? The antennas? Both? Something else?

I really miss Anandtech.

 

[dampfnudel]

Blame Apple for not using Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem in the iPhone 16 series. The X80 was announced at Mobile World Congress on February 26, 2024.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., has been a leader in 5G technologies since inception, and today is continuing to set the pace of innovation by announcing the Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System, the seventh generation of its 5G modem-to-antenna solution. The Snapdragon X80 integrates a dedicated 5G AI Processor and 5G-Advanced-ready architecture, achieving several world’s first milestones including the first 5G modem with fully integrated NB-NTN satellite communications support, 6-antenna architecture for smartphones, 6X carrier aggregation, and AI-based mmWave range extension for fixed wireless access customer premise equipment (CPE).


Maybe the iPhone 17 series will get it, unless Apple decides to use their C series modem so they don't have to pay Qualcomm any patent royalties.

I don’t think the C2 will be ready this year so it’s possible Apple will use the X80 for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max/Ultra.

 

[DaveMcM76]

This would be funny if Apple hadn’t introduced satellite messaging in 2022.

In the US and Canada only, like so many iPhone features. Still waiting for it to appear here in the UK despite having access to the other satellite features such as location update and emergency / roadside assistance.

 

[dustin_]

In the US and Canada only, like so many iPhone features. Still waiting for it to appear here in the UK despite having access to the other satellite features such as location update and emergency / roadside assistance.

I’m still waiting too, in Mexico. I doubt I’ll upgrade my iPhone until the feature’s available here.