That's a very good question. How does one access messages when there is no service?
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First Look at Messages via Satellite in iOS 18
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I think it'll work just regular messaging. iMessages will be delivered and retrieved when the recipients' phone is available. Satellites will just send the message to Apple to then relay when the recipient device is available.
Inbound satellite messaging only for your:
Apple has been gradually expanding its suite of satellite connectivity features for iPhone, and iOS 18 brings a significant new one in the form of Messages via satellite. The feature allows users to send and receive iMessages and SMS texts, including emoji and Tapbacks, while out of range of cellular and Wi-Fi networks.
CNET met up with Apple's senior director of platform product marketing, Kurt Knight, this week for an early first look at how the feature works, while iJustine offered a similar walkthrough of it.
When your phone detects it's out of range of terrestrial networks, you'll get a pop-up alert that offers quick access to all of the available satellite-enabled services including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Find My, and now Messages.
Messages via satellite can also be accessed directly from the Messages app when off the terrestrial grid, with iOS popping up a card to help you point your iPhone toward an available satellite. From there, it works just as a normal Messages conversation does, and you're able to send and receive messages, emoji, and Tapbacks. Conversation messages sent via iMessage are also end-to-end encrypted when sent via satellite.
iMessages can be sent freely back and forth via satellite, but there are limitations on SMS due to the volume of promotional and automated messages that come through that protocol. Your emergency contacts and specified family members will be able to contact you via SMS at any time, but for all other contacts, you will need to send the first SMS message via satellite, which will then allow them to respond for a period of time.
Notably, despite Rich Communication Services (RCS) support coming in iOS 18 later this year, Messages via satellite will not initially work with RCS. Knight says the RCS protocol has not yet been optimized to a small enough size to work over a satellite connection, at least as far as Apple is concerned.
As with Apple's other satellite services, Messages via satellite will launch initially only in the United States with iOS 18 before later expanding to other countries. Apple's satellite services work on iPhone 14 and later, and while Apple has indicated it will eventually charge for satellite services, it continues to offer them without charge for the time being.
Article Link: First Look at Messages via Satellite in iOS 18
1. Emergency contact set up in iPhone
2. Family listed in Family Sharing in Apple ID
:can send you a satellite message.
So if you have a different emergency contact than your family, the max number of people who can send you a satellite message is 6 people. 5 if your emergency contact is also a member of your family sharing.
Otherwise you’d have to initiate the satellite message.
And don’t be that guy abusing the system for the people that really need it to contact first responders, like me
As someone who just returned from a cruise, this would have been IMMENSELY helpful instead of having to rely on the ships horrible Starlink wifi.
I suspect they will make it free with Apple One accounts to add incentive to buy the package.
It is pretty cool
It is pretty cool
This should be free long-term, areas without cell service are most likely under served populations, in particular if you consider this globally. I totally get that Apple has costs, but it wouldn't be the first free thing they offer, and it would benefit them back in goodwill and potential sales. But yeah really cool.
I presume by the satellite mode that activates on no service.
So if it’s going to be subscription service I’m not interested, just make it user pay, so the one time it would come in useful you pay say $50 for one day, instead of $10 a month.
I actually got offered this option today when the local cell tower went down for a bit. Not sure if it's actually active yet as I could not get a message to go. It's a bit fussy as you have to continuously track the satellite across the sky while the message is sending. But the interface is good and this will be very useful for people off the grid. Find My is also one of the options so you can send your location to loved ones for reassurance. Taking an Alaska cruise later this summer and hope to try it out then.
Perhaps. But if you're not pointing the phone at the sun/moon/whatever — would it still work though?
I don't think Apple would offer this to the masses if it was going to interfere with true emergency messages. So I don't think your last admonition is warranted.
I think this will revolutionize revolutions. Gone will be the days where a country can control information via taking down the local country's cellular network. This is a replacement they can't control.
That's exactly right. I came out of a restaurant from lunch this afternoon. I had the little Satellite symbol and SOS where the wifi and cellular bars normally are. It then invited me to try the service.
It guides you towards the nearest satellite using the Dynamic Island and little arrows telling you to rotate right or left.
I get that, but my point is that unless you do that — you may not get 'new message' notifications.
That is true. I guess if you are off the grid, you might point your phone up and see what comes in.
Likely haha. But patchy notifications is 100% better than no notifications.
The reason why it’s so underrated is because a vast majority of people will never need it and use it.
I can recall only 1 place I’ve been in the past few years where I didn’t have cellphone coverage [excluding cruise ships because I have WiFi], and I travel a lot.
No, this limitation is only for SMS messaging, given it is more likely to include spam ( or so Apple tells us… certainly is one way for them to keep on supporting iMessage).
You’ll receive ALL incoming iMessage texts regardless of source, plus family/emergency contacts, plus replies of anyone you text via satellite. But yes, you will miss out if you have a lot of Android users in your contacts.
I don't think you're a good representation of the vast majority. I've come across dead zones numerous times while hiking in the last year.