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iOS 18.5 Brings Support for Carrier Satellite Connectivity to iPhone 13

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The iOS 18.5 update that Apple plans to release next week will enable carrier-provided satellite features on iPhone 13 models, adding satellite connectivity to iPhones that do not support Apple's built-in satellite functionality through Globalstar.

iPhone-13-Pro-Blue.jpg

Apple says that satellite connectivity provided by carriers will be enabled on all iPhone 13 models, including the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. To use the feature, iPhone 13 users will need cellular service that offers a satellite connectivity option, and there are several carriers that have been rolling out the functionality.

In the United States, T-Mobile has partnered with SpaceX to provide customers with Starlink Direct service for connecting to Starlink satellites when Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity are unavailable. au and One NZ have also introduced satellite connectivity, as has Verizon, though Verizon's satellite option does not currently work with iPhone.

Apple has included built-in satellite connectivity in all iPhones dating back to the iPhone 14 lineup, with connectivity provided through a partnership with Globalstar. Satellite connectivity is useful in rural and remote areas where cellular towers are not available.

Article Link: iOS 18.5 Brings Support for Carrier Satellite Connectivity to iPhone 13
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/06/ios-18-5-satellite-connectivity-iphone-13/
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I have occasionally had the SOS show up on my 13 Mini, which I thought was only for phones that had the capability to connect to a satellite. Maybe that hardware was installed in the 13s but never activated until some recent update. I'll have to give it a try the next time I'm off the grid and see if I can send an actual message somewhere...I'll have to hope I don't need it in an emergency before then, I don't want to test it with a 91 operator! My wife has a newer iPhone, so we should be good if it doesn't work with my Mini...I really wish there was a replacement for it, I'm not looking forward to going back to a larger phone whenever this one finally needs to be replaced.
 
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Keymaster said:
I have occasionally had the SOS show up on my 13 Mini, which I thought was only for phones that had the capability to connect to a satellite. Maybe that hardware was installed in the 13s but never activated until some recent update. I'll have to give it a try the next time I'm off the grid and see if I can send an actual message somewhere...I'll have to hope I don't need it in an emergency before then, I don't want to test it with a 91 operator! My wife has a newer iPhone, so we should be good if it doesn't work with my Mini...I really wish there was a replacement for it, I'm not looking forward to going back to a larger phone whenever this one finally needs to be replaced.
Click to expand...
SOS just means you don’t have cell service
 
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Does this work in the UK? EE iPhone 13 mini here. I love this phone and hope it will last another year!
 
As an iPhone 13 user, I wish Starlink offered this service directly since we will probably be waiting a while for carriers to get on board. I would gladly pay Starlink a few dollars per month to have peace of mind knowing I could have a limited data connection via satellite if I was in an area that has zero terrestrial cellular coverage.
 
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jz0309 said:
Tell the GPS chip to connect to a star link satellite…
Edit: https://www.starlink.com/us/business/direct-to-cell
Click to expand...
GPS is passive, I wasn't aware that the iPhone 13 line had a satellite modem in it.

If I'm reading the link properly, Starlink is just broadcasting a 4G signal that the model connects to? So - generally - Starlink satellite dish receivers are nothing more than a large 4G antenna?

And further extrapolating this, could any 4G equipped device connect, if they have the satellite database from the carrier?
 
Keymaster said:
I have occasionally had the SOS show up on my 13 Mini, which I thought was only for phones that had the capability to connect to a satellite. Maybe that hardware was installed in the 13s but never activated until some recent update. I'll have to give it a try the next time I'm off the grid and see if I can send an actual message somewhere...I'll have to hope I don't need it in an emergency before then, I don't want to test it with a 91 operator! My wife has a newer iPhone, so we should be good if it doesn't work with my Mini...I really wish there was a replacement for it, I'm not looking forward to going back to a larger phone whenever this one finally needs to be replaced.
Click to expand...
SOS means that you have a connection, but not to a tower that operates for your carrier. (Ex: you have T Mobile and that tower is for Verizon only.) It means you can call 911 via the normal cell network, but nothing else.

thejadedmonkey said:
And further extrapolating this, could any 4G equipped device connect, if they have the satellite database from the carrier?
Click to expand...
This is apparently what they want to do eventually, no idea how broadly it will roll out in practice.
 
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Good to see older device getting satellite connectivity support. However still waiting for it to be available in my country. Hoping to see it come soon.
 
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thejadedmonkey said:
GPS is passive, I wasn't aware that the iPhone 13 line had a satellite modem in it.

If I'm reading the link properly, Starlink is just broadcasting a 4G signal that the model connects to? So - generally - Starlink satellite dish receivers are nothing more than a large 4G antenna?

And further extrapolating this, could any 4G equipped device connect, if they have the satellite database from the carrier?
Click to expand...

My understanding is that Starlink is doing LTE direct to the cell modem. This is different than Apple/Globalstar’s solution that requires a separate modem, and likely using technology different than LTE.

In theory, direct LTE from LEO supports many more devices without the need for specialized hardware.
 
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thejadedmonkey said:
GPS is passive, I wasn't aware that the iPhone 13 line had a satellite modem in it.

If I'm reading the link properly, Starlink is just broadcasting a 4G signal that the model connects to? So - generally - Starlink satellite dish receivers are nothing more than a large 4G antenna?

And further extrapolating this, could any 4G equipped device connect, if they have the satellite database from the carrier?
Click to expand...
I am not sure how this works in real life, I don’t think the 13 has a “satellite modem” and I find it hard to believe that the satellite in 300+ miles distance has the 4G signal that covers that distance. I think the the cellular network plays a significant role, which is why it is limited to TM right now…
 
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