iOS 16.4 Expands iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite to Six More Countries

[MacRumors]

As planned, Apple today expanded Emergency SOS via Satellite to Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal. In a press release, Apple said the feature requires the iOS 16.4 update released today to function in these countries.

Emergency SOS via Satellite enables iPhone 14 models to connect to Globalstar satellites in countries where the feature is available, allowing users to send text messages to emergency service dispatchers when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The service is free to use for two years after activating an iPhone 14, and this two-year period will begin today for users in the newly supported countries.

With iOS 16.4, Apple says a user dialing a local emergency number in the newly supported countries will automatically be redirected to 112, the European emergency number, in the event that the call fails due to no cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

In a support document, Apple warns that foliage or other obstructions can result in messages taking longer to send or failing to send, and satellite connectivity might not work in places above 62° latitude, such as northern parts of Canada and Alaska.

Emergency SOS via Satellite first launched in November in the U.S. and Canada and requires an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max. The service expanded to France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK in December. iPhone users should read Apple's support document for important details about the service.

Article Link: iOS 16.4 Expands iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite to Six More Countries

 

[surfzen21]

I wish this was part of the Apple Watch Ultra. Seems like it would be a no brainer for an adventure watch.

 

[VulchR]

I wish this was part of the Apple Watch Ultra. Seems like it would be a no brainer for an adventure watch.

I imagine the antenna and energy required might be too large for a watch, but I am no engineer.

 

[vegetassj4]

6 more countries to SOS from the ski slopes.

 

[JPack]

I wish this was part of the Apple Watch Ultra. Seems like it would be a no brainer for an adventure watch.

Funny thing is, Ultra uses an Intel baseband, same as iPhone XS, maybe for cost reasons. It’s about 4 generations behind the iPhone 14.

I think energy or antenna design prevents satellite connectivity. The baseband for sure though.

 

[surfzen21]

I imagine the antenna and energy required might be too large for a watch, but I am no engineer.

Neither an I 🥲 and that could be it. Although, I'd think energy required is less an issue since it would only be used in an emergency situation and not constantly looking for a connection.

Either way it would be a welcome addition since I am regularly exercising and being active with just my watch.

 

[BobSc]

6 more countries to SOS from the ski slopes.

???

 

[arnoz]

I wish this was part of the Apple Watch Ultra. Seems like it would be a no brainer for an adventure watch.

Absolutely agreed.
No idea how complex or even if it would be possible at this point in time from an engineering standpoint. But living in Switzerland and spending most of my weekends in the Alps, more often than not 2-3-4000meters high with no coverage, it'd the be cherry on top of the cake in terms of preparation of an outing.
Rule #1 is inform your family/friends about your planned path, but if something happens...

 

[ifxf]

Don’t know why this requires an OS update. Why can’t Apple just enable a country once they work out the regulatory issues.

 

[Luiz Claudio Eudes Corrêa]

I wish was available in Brazil, depending of the road if I get on a accident there’s no signal to ask for help.

 

[flofixer]

Neither an I 🥲 and that could be it. Although, I'd think energy required is less an issue since it would only be used in an emergency situation and not constantly looking for a connection.

Either way it would be a welcome addition since I am regularly exercising and being active with just my watch.

It wouldn't be just the antenna and energy, it would also the the communication hardware itself

 

[alexandr]

I wish this was part of the Apple Watch Ultra. Seems like it would be a no brainer for an adventure watch.

Especially given the promo video for the Ultra!!

 

[alexandr]

6 more countries to SOS from the ski slopes.

Yea.. different SOS...

 

[jasonsmith_88]

I hope they add New Zealand soon. This replaces the need for a $500 Personal Locator Beacon.

 

[ppetrovic]

Don’t know why this requires an OS update. Why can’t Apple just enable a country once they work out the regulatory issues.

They can, but this is a nice, subtle way to force you to update to a newer software version for an added benefit of getting additional security upgrades and some fresh bragging rights for Apple on how most customers keep their devices up to date compared to Those Other Guys who are stuck on old OS versions for years on end.

I don't agree with this approach, but I don't disagree either. I just update all devices the moment new OSes get released, works fine 99% of the time.

 

[svish]

Great!! Hopefully it will be available in more countries soon.

 

[_Spinn_]

Good to see this expanding further!

 

[squashedpillow]

I hope they add New Zealand soon. This replaces the need for a $500 Personal Locator Beacon.

No way I’m relying on my iPhone battery in the Tararuas. That PLB is still coming, though it’d be nice to have a backup option.

 

[iJeffmac]

I hope they add New Zealand soon. This replaces the need for a $500 Personal Locator Beacon.

I'd still take my PLB as a fall back and it's got a multi year battery shelf life if not used, but it would be good to know my phone had such an energy feature as well, especially when I'm not trekking and won't have my PLB with me.

 

[bollman]

As planned, Apple today expanded Emergency SOS via Satellite to Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

Good lucking finding a blind spot in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
In Luxembourg, you can get reception from at least 3 other countries.

 

[VulchR]

Neither an I 🥲 and that could be it. Although, I'd think energy required is less an issue since it would only be used in an emergency situation and not constantly looking for a connection.

Either way it would be a welcome addition since I am regularly exercising and being active with just my watch.

Maybe they could incorporate an antenna in the wrist band? As a hillwalker, though, I agree - it would be a great feature if it were possible.

 

[TheWatchfulOne]

6 more countries to SOS from the ski slopes.

But not from mountain tops or hiking trails? That leaves me out.

 

[justperry]

Good lucking finding a blind spot in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
In Luxembourg, you can get reception from at least 3 other countries.

This, the Netherlands....really.(Don't know about the reception in the other 2, I have been there plenty of times though)