iOS 18.3 Adds Starlink Support to T-Mobile iPhones

[MacRumors]

As of iOS 18.3, T-Mobile subscribers with a compatible iPhone and Starlink beta access are able to connect to Starlink satellites, reports Bloomberg. Apple quietly worked with SpaceX and T-Mobile to add support for Starlink to its iPhone lineup, and T-Mobile's website confirms the new integration.

T-Mobile announced a partnership with Starlink in 2022, and in December 2024, the carrier opened up a beta program allowing subscribers to use Starlink satellites for texting in areas without cell towers. At the time, the T-Mobile Starlink beta program was limited to Samsung smartphones, and iPhones weren't supported.

Following the release of iOS 18.3, T-Mobile has invited a small number of iPhone users to take advantage of the Starlink beta, and those users have a new toggle to enable the satellite connectivity feature. T-Mobile customers who were selected received the following message:

You're in the T-Mobile Starlink beta. You can now stay connected with texting via satellite from virtually anywhere. To start experiencing coverage beyond, please update to iOS 18.3.

With Starlink integration, a T-Mobile iPhone without T-Mobile cellular service available will be able to pair automatically with Starlink satellites for connectivity. Starlink is limited to texting at the current time, but T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to support data and voice in the future.

Apple did not respond to Bloomberg's request for comment on the feature, but T-Mobile said that Starlink connectivity will eventually be available on the "vast majority of modern smartphones."

The iPhone 14 and later already support satellite connectivity for text messages through Apple's partnership with Globalstar, so iPhone users who are able to use Starlink can also opt to text with Apple's built-in satellite service. Both Apple's service and Starlink are only available when there is no nearby cellular network.

Starlink beta access is limited right now, but T-Mobile eventually plans to expand the beta test to additional subscribers. T-Mobile customers can sign up to join the beta on the T-Mobile website. Starlink is only available in the U.S., and it is free during T-Mobile's beta testing period.

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Article Link: iOS 18.3 Adds Starlink Support to T-Mobile iPhones

 

[macintologist]

The article doesn’t spell out exactly which iPhones are supported. It hints at the iPhone 14, but isn’t explicit about it.

 

[Wordwise]

As of iOS 18.3, T-Mobile subscribers with a compatible iPhone and Starlink beta access are able to connect to Starlink satellites, reports Bloomberg. Apple quietly worked with SpaceX and T-Mobile to add support for Starlink to its iPhone lineup, and T-Mobile's website confirms the new integration.

T-Mobile announced a partnership with Starlink in 2022, and in December 2024, the carrier opened up a beta program allowing subscribers to use Starlink satellites for texting in areas without cell towers. At the time, the T-Mobile Starlink beta program was limited to Samsung smartphones, and iPhones weren't supported.

Following the release of iOS 18.3, T-Mobile has invited a small number of iPhone users to take advantage of the Starlink beta, and those users have a new toggle to enable the satellite connectivity feature. T-Mobile customers who were selected received the following message:

With Starlink integration, a T-Mobile iPhone without T-Mobile cellular service available will be able to pair automatically with Starlink satellites for connectivity. Starlink is limited to texting at the current time, but T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to support data and voice in the future.

Apple did not respond to Bloomberg's request for comment on the feature, but T-Mobile said that Starlink connectivity will eventually be available on the "vast majority of modern smartphones."

The iPhone 14 and later already support satellite connectivity for text messages through Apple's partnership with Globalstar, so iPhone users who are able to use Starlink can also opt to text with Apple's built-in satellite service. Both Apple's service and Starlink are only available when there is no nearby cellular network.

Starlink beta access is limited right now, but T-Mobile eventually plans to expand the beta test to additional subscribers. T-Mobile customers can sign up to join the beta on the T-Mobile website. Starlink is only available in the U.S., and it is free during T-Mobile's beta testing period.

Article Link: iOS 18.3 Adds Starlink Support to T-Mobile iPhones

Yeah, I don't want to have anything to do with Starlink/SpaceX... Thanks, but no thanks.

 

[acorntoy]

Neat.
Recently used starlink on a cruise, was nice but nowhere near the fastest cruise wifi i've had.

 

[icanhazmac]

Nice feature for those that frequent areas without cell coverage.

 

[Rafagon]

It needs to be improved to allow downloading of a full iOS update via satellite. Hopefully also allow streaming of Netflix, but that may take longer.

 

[acorntoy]

It needs to be improved to allow downloading of a full iOS update via satellite. Hopefully also allow streaming of Netflix, but that may take longer.

Why would you be trying to update your iPhone off grid? Things could go wrong and leave you screwed.

 

[LordArchie]

I received the "confirmation" text and email this morning... no way to really determine if it is active? The link takes me to a signup page, that I competed a month ago

I think I'm in

 

[jz0309]

Good for those who need/want this.
SpaceX has been deploying quite a few direct to cell satellites in the past 6+ months

 

[sw1tcher]

The article doesn’t spell out exactly which iPhones are supported. It hints at the iPhone 14, but isn’t explicit about it.

Knowing Apple, it'll be limited to the iPhone 16 line up like how Visual Intelligence is. Or, when Apple limited the ability for iPhones to stop charging beyond 80% or check battery cycle count to iPhone 15's

 

[tripleacs]

This is fantastic. Especially in remote areas. Dont see it being much use in cities. I've set up Starlink at a rural property and it works beautifully. Reliable and fast. There's nothing like it thats as good. Of course if you can get a good 4G/5G or wired connection then go for that!

 

[rjp1]

Amazing! I often hike with no cell phone coverage. I have Tmobile and signed up for the beta, but not in yet. It will be awesome once they add data and voice.

 

[LordArchie]

Thing is, at home I have *maybe* one bar of service if I stand on my toes on the highest peak of my home. I don't think Starlink would kick in until I have zero service?

We recently had fires, I had no comms until I left the neighborhood, I'm lucky to send any text messages when not on WiFi

 

[acorntoy]

Thing is, at home I have *maybe* one bar of service if I stand on my toes on the highest peak of my home. I don't think Starlink would kick in until I have zero service?

We recently had fires, I had no comms until I left the neighborhood, I'm lucky to send any text messages when not on WiFi

How does this differ from Apples current message via satellite? (not starlink)
I just remembered Apple already added this in os 18
I'm honestly curious and wondering if you have more information on it since you are in the beta.

About Messages via satellite on your iPhone - Apple Support

With iPhone 14 or later, you can send iMessages or SMS messages via satellite when you’re off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

support.apple.com

 

[DrJR]

Apple should do a deal so we all can have this.

 

[acorntoy]

Apple should do a deal so we all can have this.

About Messages via satellite on your iPhone - Apple Support

With iPhone 14 or later, you can send iMessages or SMS messages via satellite when you’re off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

support.apple.com

They did with their satellite service (Globalstar). It was added in IOS 18. I'm wondering how the T-Mobile/SpaceX deal is different, might just be better access since i'm guessing Starlink has more satellites.

Edit:

It looks like Tmobile/Starlink are planning to add voice later and the messages are just the first in the beta. So nothing groundbreaking now besides extra satellites but in the future it could be a nice perk for tmobile users.

 

[Martin Bland]

Starlink on phones is beautiful. Once every phone on the planet supports Starlink, there will finally be a theoretically un-censorable, un-jammable, un-tappable, global communications network outside the jurisdiction of any country (except the U.S., likely). Totalitarian governments will have their work cut out for them.

 

[dominiongamma]

Nice feature for those that frequent areas without cell coverage.

Only text though

 

[acorntoy]

Starlink on phones is beautiful. Once every phone on the planet supports Starlink, there will finally be a theoretically un-censorable, un-jammable, un-tappable, global communications network outside the jurisdiction of any country (except the U.S., likely). Totalitarian governments will have their work cut out for them.

"un-censorable, un-jammable"

Elon Musk says he withheld Starlink over Crimea to avoid escalation

A senior Ukrainian official says this enabled Russian attacks and accuses him of "committing evil".

www.bbc.com

Until they just turn it off. You can 100% still control communications with a satellite network.

 

[fenderbass146]

How is this different then what they are already have with sending messages over text (awesome btw when I mountain bike in the backwoods in the middle of nowhere)

Also, on a totally different note, it's amazingly refreshing this hasn't been brigaded.

 

[GMShadow]

"un-censorable, un-jammable"

Elon Musk says he withheld Starlink over Crimea to avoid escalation

A senior Ukrainian official says this enabled Russian attacks and accuses him of "committing evil".

www.bbc.com

Until they just turn it off.

The elite will always have control and they wouldn't be selling you something that could unsurp that.

That was due to US sanctions, not because he was bored.

 

[acorntoy]

That was due to US sanctions, not because he was bored.

I'm not trying to get into any politics (did go back and edit my post to help avoid that), I was just pointing out that yes a satellite network can still be manipulated/controlled ( is forced to be sometimes) and it is not the magic thing the original poster thought.

 

[LightProtector]

Dang, I just switched from T-Mobile a month ago.

 

[aorr]

Thing is, at home I have *maybe* one bar of service if I stand on my toes on the highest peak of my home. I don't think Starlink would kick in until I have zero service?

We recently had fires, I had no comms until I left the neighborhood, I'm lucky to send any text messages when not on WiFi

I’ve been frustrated with this also. One bar of service that isn’t strong enough to send a text but you also can’t get into satellite mode yet either. That should be changed where we can turn on satellite mode as needed when we can’t get a text out on cell service.

 

[dominiongamma]

Dang, I just switched from T-Mobile a month ago.

Honestly, you probably doing yourself a favor, especially with all the data breaches with them