Apple's Weather via Satellite Feature in iOS 26 Beta Code is Still Missing

[MacRumors]

A little more than three months ago, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered references to an unreleased "Weather via satellite" feature in the code for the first iOS 26 developer beta. However, just one day before iOS 26 is set to be widely released, the feature has yet to be released or even announced by Apple.

The references have not been removed from the code, as of the iOS 26 Release Candidate, so it is possible that Apple will introduce the feature eventually. Perhaps the feature will be added in a follow-up update, such as iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.

The feature would let you view the forecast and other weather information in the Weather app, in supported areas without Wi-Fi and cellular range. Apple's other satellite features include Emergency SOS via satellite, Messages via satellite, Find My via satellite, and Roadside Assistance via satellite, with availability varying by country.

Apple has yet to charge a fee for any of its satellite features. Last week, the company announced it is providing existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users with an additional year of free access to the entire suite of satellite features on those devices.

Article Link: Apple's Weather via Satellite Feature in iOS 26 Beta Code is Still Missing

 

[jz0309]

since it wasn't announced - it's hardly "missing" ...

 

[WilliApple]

Apple has yet to charge a fee for any of its satellite features. Last week, the company announced it is providing existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users with an additional year of free access to the entire suite of satellite features on those devices.

Wow I wonder why they are just giving this to us for free...
Apples so generous sometimes ❤️

 

[tomtad]

They haven't announced anything so it's not exactly missing. The code was likely added to test it so we may see it in a future release

 

[aorr]

This is wonderful as it was one of the last features I missed from a Garmin InReach. If this gets enabled and added it will be very tempting to not use my InReach any longer.

 

[attohs]

Apple is not going to advertise "work in progress" features in advance anymore. You reported on this. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/18/apple-to-cut-down-on-early-announcements/

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

Wow I wonder why they are just giving this to us for free...
Apples so generous sometimes ❤️

It shouldn’t be charged, it’s basic functionality.

 

[Howard2k]

I hope Apple continues to allow three features for free. It’s a great differentiator.

 

[Earendil]

It shouldn’t be charged, it’s basic functionality.

Given that Apple doesn’t own the satellite network, and pays to use it, I’m not sure why you think using a satellite network should be free to you.

There’s a different network that Apple also doesn’t own, a network that provides basic functionally for cell phones. Should Apple foot the bill for that as well?

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

Given that Apple doesn’t own the satellite network, and pays to use it, I’m not sure why you think using a satellite network should be free to you.

There’s a different network that Apple also doesn’t own, a network that provides basic functionally for cell phones. Should Apple foot the bill for that as well?

Yes

 

[svish]

Useful feature. But however not expecting this to be available outside US for a long time after it launches. Will be a long wait.

 

[Earendil]

Yes

I’d understand if you wanting the government to provide a free cell phone option for citizens, because it’s a basic part of cultural expectations.

I do not understand the expectation that a capitalist company should voluntarily give you things for free, while paying a different capitalist company to make it happen.

 

[TOM1211]

Problem is with this if it ever does become payed say it there’s a weekly/monthly/yearly subscription I would of thought you don’t know your going to need it till well you need it.. please it still free on my 14 though.

 

[bn-7bc]

Wow I wonder why they are just giving this to us for free...
Apples so generous sometimes ❤️

I think it might be the way they're positioningg it (correct me if I'm wrong), since this is mainly for emergencies in areas with no cell coverage I suspect apple thinks of it the same way as cell operators think of 911 calls, ie free and no need for a sim to complete the call/send the text. or they might just mant to train hikers etc to use it without thinking "hey it's free" until the day they start charging an gets a nice revenue stream. Just like nezos did wit amazon for the first decade

Edit: so apple does not own the sat network, It wont surprise me if there'll be some jind of revenue sharing agreement when/if the service turns into a for fee thing

 

[polyphenol]

If Apple do ever charge for emergency satellite access, I'd like there to be an "extremely unlikely to use" option. Charge me nothing to remain able to use the service, but bill me something if I do use it.

Might be difficult to achieve that given things like credit cards cannot retain a permanent reservation of, say, ten pounds, to cover a future charge.

 

[Kaiserschmarrn]

Wow I wonder why they are just giving this to us for free...
Apples so generous sometimes ❤️

You underestimate how ****ing expensive this can become for Apple the more they add features, satellite connectivity is not cheap not even for Apple. So yes it's a nice thing that they keep footing the bill, but the more features they're adding the more likely it will be paid sooner rather than later.

 

[ACDeag]

Given that Apple doesn’t own the satellite network, and pays to use it, I’m not sure why you think using a satellite network should be free to you.

There’s a different network that Apple also doesn’t own, a network that provides basic functionally for cell phones. Should Apple foot the bill for that as well?

Problem is if they start charging people will die because they havn't coughed up for it, bad publicity. Maybe they will charge when calls can start to be made via satellite and then they can have a free level (current service) and paid level