Apple Confirms Emergency SOS via Satellite Launching on iPhone Later This Month

[MacRumors]

Apple today confirmed in a press release that Emergency SOS via Satellite for iPhone 14 models will be launching in the U.S. and Canada later this month. Apple has still not provided a specific release date or iOS version required for the feature.

Apple also announced that it is investing $450 million from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund towards the development of critical infrastructure supporting Emergency SOS via Satellite, with a majority of the funding going to Apple's satellite partner Globalstar.

Apple said its investment will provide critical enhancements to Globalstar's satellite network and ground stations in Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Puerto Rico, and Texas to ensure iPhone 14 users are able to connect to emergency services when off the grid.

All four iPhone 14 models will be able to connect directly to Globalstar satellites, enabling users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage and share their location via satellite using the Find My app. The feature will help users point their iPhone towards a satellite with on-screen visuals.

Apple says a satellite message might take 15 seconds to send in ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and the horizon, but it could take over a minute for the message to send "under trees with light or medium foliage." In environments with "heavy foliage" or "other obstructions," an iPhone might fail to connect to a satellite entirely.

As a result of the investment, Globalstar's ground stations have already been upgraded to use new high-power antennas designed and manufactured specifically for Apple. Apple shared more details about how the feature works:

When an iPhone user makes an Emergency SOS via satellite request, the message is received by one of Globalstar's 24 satellites in low-earth orbit traveling at speeds of approximately 16,000 mph. The satellite then sends the message down to custom ground stations located at key points all over the world.

Once received by a ground station, the message is routed to emergency services that can dispatch help, or a relay center with Apple-trained emergency specialists if the closest emergency services location is not able to receive text messages.

In a support document, Apple says Emergency SOS via Satellite will be available with an iOS 16 software update coming in November. The service will be free for the first two years, suggesting that Apple plans to charge for it in the future.

Apple reportedly confirmed that the feature will expand to additional countries by the end of next year, but it has not elaborated on these plans.

Article Link: Apple Confirms Emergency SOS via Satellite Launching on iPhone Later This Month

 

[I7guy]

One of the coolest innovations to the iphone after Apple Pay.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

It’s clearly going to be a 16.1.2 update, and I would guess that update will more than likely be exclusive to the 14 series.
I also expect it to launch on the 29th or the 30th, because Apple really likes to just almost, almost not hit their deadlines

 

[dominiongamma]

Can’t wait to hear the stories on the lives this will save for real.

I think this feature will be a feature we hope never have to use but are grateful it’s there if we are in are situation like that.

 

[orbital~debris]

I'm curious to know if this functionality will be available to Apple customers bringing devices from their home countries to the USA/Canada (e.g. while on holiday/vacation), or is availability dependant on iPhone hardware sold only in certain regions of Earth.

Has anyone seen clarification on this aspect?

 

[doolar]

I thought about getting a Garmin Inreach, but I’ll wait for now to see if the service expands to Europe. I plan on getting the 15 PM to replace my 13 Pro next year!

 

[Kylo83]

99.9% will never use or need this

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple sticking to the plan. Glad to see it’s coming 👏

 

[DaveTheRave]

I thought that phones, satellites radios (SiriusXM etc) and GPS gadgets are capable of receiving data from satellites but are unable to send anything back because they would need a huge dish and lots of power to send. Similar to how an adult can throw a ball from far away to a small child, but the child doesn’t have the strength to throw it all the way back to the adult. How does this work?

 

[ghostface147]

99.9% will never use or need this

That’s the goal.

 

[srknpower]

99.9% will never use or need this

Yes but the remaining 0.1% will always thank Apple for this feature.

 

[roncron]

I like this a lot. And I suspect Apple's $450 million investment is laying the groundwork for additional features in the future that will take advantage of satellite connectivity.

99.9% will never use or need this

Your number is plausible. If correct, then for every 10 million people with a compatible iPhone, 10 thousand will need to use this feature at some point. For some of these folks, the feature will mean the difference between life and death.

 

[Crowbot]

This is one of the coolest features I hope i'll never need.

 

[Corsig]

Can’t wait to get lost

 

[Skyscraperfan]

I thought that phones, satellites radios (SiriusXM etc) and GPS gadgets are capable of receiving data from satellites but are unable to send anything back because they would need a huge dish and lots of power to send. Similar to how an adult can throw a ball from far away to a small child, but the child doesn’t have the strength to throw it all the way back to the adult. How does this work?

Strangely a small tracker attached to a bird can send data to satellites without any dish.

HOME PAGE - The Migratory Connectivity Project

Advancing the conservation and understanding of animals throughout their full life cycle by promoting the science of migratory connectivity

migratoryconnectivityproject.org

 

[Kiimora]

Touchwood , hopefully I won’t ever need this if it doesn’t extend to the UK

 

[usagora]

99.9% will never use or need this

Not sure what your point is, but the implication seems to be you don't think Apple should be bothering with this? 99.9% will also never use or need a fire extinguisher in their home (or fire insurance), yet it would be foolish not to have both.

 

[LeadingHeat]

This is some seriously cool tech that a lot of people have overlooked. (And another big upgrade for the 14 over the 13).

That being said Apple also said that you’ll be able to have your FindMy friends keep track of your location when off the grid too. That’s HUGE. They’ll likely be able to see where you last were before your phone died. That’s literally the difference between life and death if you need to tell authorities where your loved one is.

 

[doolar]

99.9% will never use or need this

Hopefully not, but for the other 0.1% it may save their life.

I’ve diligently used a seatbelt for almost 30 years of driving, and never needed it so far.

 

[zYxMa]

Can’t wait to hear the stories on the lives this will save for real.

I think this feature will be a feature we hope never have to use but are grateful it’s there if we are in are situation like that.

Forgot to pay SOS subscription? Sorry, you’re dead 🤣🤣🤣

 

[fmillion]

It'll be too bad if they decide to charge for this ultimately. This feels like the kind of thing that should just be factored into the cost of the device and its expected lifetime.

Unless you're the type of person who is regularly venturing out into remote areas, I doubt most people will want to pay for something that is very easily perceived as "never gonna need that". While it's a new flashy feature, people might, but it's going to be free for 2 years, by which time it'll be "old news". And if in those 2 years you never needed it, the odds that you'll decide to pay for it are even lower.

Except you never know when you might suddenly need it. You might spend 99% of the time in the big city, but once a year or even less often you head out on a road trip, passing through some areas with no coverage. You might not even think of it at the time. And suddenly you have a breakdown and that's when you really need the service... and you didn't think to subscribe to it since it didn't even cross your mind. Are you now doomed?

There could be some VERY bad PR from that. "Man dies in ditch, couldn't send for help despite having new iPhone 17 because he didn't pay for sat emergency service before leaving home."

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

I'm curious to know if this functionality will be available to Apple customers bringing devices from their home countries to the USA/Canada (e.g. while on holiday/vacation), or is availability dependant on iPhone hardware sold only in certain regions of Earth.

Has anyone seen clarification on this aspect?

It's mentioned that all iPhone 14 hardware (unless purchased in China or its SAR areas) will work with the feature in this MacRumors article.

What You Need to Know About Apple's Emergency Satellite Feature for iPhone 14

With the iPhone 14 models, Apple is introducing a new Emergency SOS via satellite feature that is designed to allow emergency messages to be sent...

www.macrumors.com

 

[vegetassj4]

deleted

 

[Gengar]

It'll be too bad if they decide to charge for this ultimately. This feels like the kind of thing that should just be factored into the cost of the device and its expected lifetime.

Unless you're the type of person who is regularly venturing out into remote areas, I doubt most people will want to pay for something that is very easily perceived as "never gonna need that". While it's a new flashy feature, people might, but it's going to be free for 2 years, by which time it'll be "old news". And if in those 2 years you never needed it, the odds that you'll decide to pay for it are even lower.

Except you never know when you might suddenly need it. You might spend 99% of the time in the big city, but once a year or even less often you head out on a road trip, passing through some areas with no coverage. You might not even think of it at the time. And suddenly you have a breakdown and that's when you really need the service... and you didn't think to subscribe to it since it didn't even cross your mind. Are you now doomed?

There could be some VERY bad PR from that. "Man dies in ditch, couldn't send for help despite having new iPhone 17 because he didn't pay for sat emergency service before leaving home."

I agree, but if most people aren't gonna need it and Apple is investing their own money into Globalstar's network, it kind of makes sense that they would charge for it, since they're basically including this for a small number of users.

 

[Kar98]

They should build a ground station near Death Valley for all those European tourists who think it means Super Happy Fun Times Valley.