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iPhone Users in Japan Can Now Send Messages via Satellite

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Apr 12, 2001
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iPhone users in Japan are now able to use Apple's Messages via satellite feature, Apple said today. Messages via satellite works on the iPhone 14 or later and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, allowing users who have no cellular or Wi-Fi connection to use satellite connectivity for messaging.

japan-messages-via-satellite.jpg

When attempting to send a message with no cellular or Wi-Fi connection, iPhone users in Japan will see a message that prompts them to connect to the nearest satellite. After connecting, users can send and receive iMessages, SMS messages, emoji characters, and use the Messages Tapback feature.

Messages sent via satellite offer the same end-to-end encryption as messages sent over Wi-Fi or cellular.

Japanese users already had access to emergency SOS via satellite and the option to share location via satellite in the Find My app, so the new Messages via satellite option joins those two features.

iOS 18 or later is required for Messages via satellite on iPhone, while the feature needs watchOS 26 or later on the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Satellite connectivity continues to be free for all iPhone and Apple Watch users with supported devices.

Article Link: iPhone Users in Japan Can Now Send Messages via Satellite
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/08/japan-messages-via-satellite/
jz0309 said:
this is a good thing considering the earthquake earlier today, should come to California too I hope
Click to expand...
For what it’s worth, today’s quake was no big deal — despite being pretty massive seismically. Half a dozen injuries, none serious. Here in Tokyo, nobody felt a thing. The worst of the fallout is disruption to train service a couple hundred kilometers to the north as they inspect the tracks for as-yet unnoticed damage.

Actually … come to think of it, the worst is probably the fear and memories this will have brought back to those who lived through the great Tohoku earthquake a bit over a decade ago in the same part of the country. That’s the one that triggered the tsunami that took out the Fukushima nuclear power plant — the same tsunami that swept away tens of thousands of people and left a quarter million homeless.

And, yes. Satellite service in the aftermath of that one would have been a very good thing. A very small good thing in comparison to the scale of rescue, recovery and rebuilding needed in the aftermath … but it still would have been a very good thing.

b&
 
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Reactions: Takeo Apple, klm9210 and adrianlondon
Nice to see the feature availability expand. Hopefully satellite connectivity and features will be in more countries soon including mine! It is a very useful feature.
 
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This would be amazing to use in Europe as well. I was in the French alps for vacation this year and there was no reception. Having at least limited signal for sending text messages via satellite would be a game changer.
 
537635 said:
I'm also curious about that. Does it work like roaming, does it only work for "local" iPhones or is it free to use for all iPhone users all over the world?
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Good question. As far as I can determine, as it's a free service (and as it's specifically for instances where there's no mobile connection, so roaming or not can't be checked!) it has to work wherever the service is available, regardless of what mobile plan you have.
 
537635 said:
I'm also curious about that. Does it work like roaming, does it only work for "local" iPhones or is it free to use for all iPhone users all over the world?
Click to expand...
It's supposed to work so long as you don't have an iPhone from certain countries:

Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone - Apple Support

With iPhone 14 or later, you can use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services when you're off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

5. Satellite connectivity isn't offered on iPhone models purchased in Armenia, Belarus, China mainland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. For iPhone models purchased in Hong Kong and Macao, satellite connectivity is offered only on iPhone 16e and later.

However, what doesn't work is SMS over satellite if your carrier doesn't support it, so most of the world's phones will only be able to iMessage over satellite.
 
If I understand correctly, I have an iPhone from an unsupported country (EU), when vising US, iMessages will work without a SIM card (or when there is no connection).
 
537635 said:
If I understand correctly, I have an iPhone from an unsupported country (EU), when vising US, iMessages will work without a SIM card (or when there is no connection).
Click to expand...
Support page says you need an active SIM: https://support.apple.com/en-us/120930

What you need​

  • An iPhone 14 or later (all models)1
  • The minimum required version of iOS:
    • U.S., Canada, Japan: iOS 18 or later
    • Mexico: iOS 18.4 or later
  • An active SIM
  • To use iMessage via satellite, you need to turn on iMessage before you're outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. To use SMS messaging via satellite, your carrier must support it.
  • You need to connect to a satellite with your iPhone2
 
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I see.


Still I don't understand, if you need US SIM card for satellite iMessage in US or can you have an active EU SIM card with roaming.
 
537635 said:
I see.


Still I don't understand, if you need US SIM card for satellite iMessage in US or can you have an active EU SIM card with roaming.
Click to expand...
Doesn't say anything about a US SIM, so I assume it works with any SIM. Your carrier doesn't need to support it, you just need to not have an iPhone from Armenia, Belarus, Kirgizstan, Kazakhstan, or Russia (and HK or Macau iPhones need to be 16e or later).
 
BenGoren said:
For what it’s worth, today’s quake was no big deal — despite being pretty massive seismically. Half a dozen injuries, none serious. Here in Tokyo, nobody felt a thing. The worst of the fallout is disruption to train service a couple hundred kilometers to the north as they inspect the tracks for as-yet unnoticed damage.

Actually … come to think of it, the worst is probably the fear and memories this will have brought back to those who lived through the great Tohoku earthquake a bit over a decade ago in the same part of the country. That’s the one that triggered the tsunami that took out the Fukushima nuclear power plant — the same tsunami that swept away tens of thousands of people and left a quarter million homeless.

And, yes. Satellite service in the aftermath of that one would have been a very good thing. A very small good thing in comparison to the scale of rescue, recovery and rebuilding needed in the aftermath … but it still would have been a very good thing.

b&
Click to expand...
It was a big thing in Japan, what are you talking about?
They even officially announced that this could be a forecast to the mega quake and issued a warning. This one will be bigger than Tohoku.

I also felt it in my high rise in Tokyo - even though it was a small movement, it was noticeable and that’s pretty crazy given the distance.
 
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