Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

T-Mobile's Satellite Service Now Works With Popular Apps

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
69,751
41,138


T-Mobile is expanding its T-Satellite with Starlink service, adding satellite data connectivity to multiple popular apps. That means T-Mobile users who don't have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection will be able to use Starlink satellite connectivity to access supported apps.

tmobile-starlink.jpg

Apps that will work over a T-Mobile satellite connection include Google Maps, AllTrails, AccuWeather, CalTopo, X, WhatsApp (texts, voice, and video chat), onX, and T-Life.

Some native device apps like Google Messages, Find Hub, Pixel Weather, Apple Music, Apple Weather, and Apple Fitness were already able to be used with T-Mobile's U.S. satellite service.

T-Mobile subscribers with access to T-Satellite will see the satellite connection kick in whenever cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity are unavailable. Apps will offer tailored, critical content instead of full data-heavy experiences.

T-Satellite works on Apple's iPhones, and it can be used alongside the native satellite connectivity available in the iPhone 14 and later. The satellite service is included in T-Mobile's Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans, and T-Mobile customers with other plans can get access for $10 per month. Smartphone users who do not have T-Mobile can subscribe to T-Satellite as a standalone service for $10 per month.

Article Link: T-Mobile's Satellite Service Now Works With Popular Apps
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/01/t-mobile-satellite-app-support/
I was told I needed to switch to a newer plan that isn't tax inclusive or w/e in order to have this, but with them adding more and more features like this, it might be worth it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire
What makes an app supported or not? Serious question. Is T-Mobile limiting it to low-bandwidth apps, or do they somehow request some money from apps to be whitelisted? Not sure what the logic is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iiKurt
I'm curious what the satellite service does to battery life. It would be nice to have the service as a backup when camping and be able to listen to streaming services....but not if it's going to drain my battery within 2 hours.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DaveN, Jxdawg and dustin_
I don’t think it’s worth it to be honest. Also I wonder what the battery hit one takes for using satellites.
 
jent said:
What makes an app supported or not? Serious question. Is T-Mobile limiting it to low-bandwidth apps, or do they somehow request some money from apps to be whitelisted? Not sure what the logic is.
Click to expand...


App owners have to submit for approval and there are guidelines for optimization of the apps for satellite use. If there are additional fees beyond that I have no idea.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dricci, delta123 and PPGMD
richard371 said:
I’m testing their service here in sf to replace att. Service is a lot worse and does not work in the muni tunnels well at all.
Click to expand...
Years ago I had T-Mobile and could not use it in commute it would drop in every tunnel and bridge.
 
mathiasinthe314 said:
Intriguing... but will I be able to get it on my $100/month for 4 lines Essentials plan? My gut tells me no.
Click to expand...
When I checked it out last week (before this press release) it was available to add onto other plans for $15 a month, before promotions and discounts that get you to spend more money. Of course you need to have a specific phone that supports the service - they mention "over 60 phones work with their plan.

One of the drawbacks for me was that it only works inside the US

This includes non- T-Mobile customers:

While T-Mobile customers enjoy the best benefits, non-T-Mobile customers can still sign up for T-Satellite by calling 1-855-713-4111 or visiting a Retail store.
Click to expand...
 
mikebenton said:
I'm curious what the satellite service does to battery life. It would be nice to have the service as a backup when camping and be able to listen to streaming services....but not if it's going to drain my battery within 2 hours.
Click to expand...
Streaming would be a no go since that would be continual transmission with a high power requirement. But I’ve trialed Apple’s satellite messaging while backpacking to potentially replace the dedicated satcom device I also carry and it works well with minimal battery hit. But I take a 10k mha battery pack with me anyway. It’s been plenty to keep my 16 Pro charged for basic uses (mapping, sat messaging, etc) for 2 or 3 days.

The only thing Apple’s service is missing for my uses is pinpoint weather forecasts via satellite. once I have that I would have no need for a separate satcom receiver or a broader service like t-mobile’s.
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: SantaFeNM and SFjohn
I was on the Satellite beta with T-Mobile, but it never really kicked in for me. I’ll be interested to hear how this works out for folks.
 
Wait the app has to support usage over satellite? It's not just some low-bandwidth data connection that anything on the phone can use?
 
This service, for me, is great. I ride a dirt bike 20-40 miles into the woods and mountains where there is absolutely nothing. I also usually ride solo which makes it even more essential. Apple's satellite coverage is okay but the annoying stand around and find a satellite interface is terrible and annoying. I can't imagine having to do this if I crashed and needed help. I joined the beta for this and it works way better than Apple's coverage. No UI to find a satellite, it just connects when you no longer have cell coverage. It does it automatically and texts continue to come through like nothing changed. It does it in the woods or mountains and when I was driving in a remote area in Montana. It's super easy to stay in touch with my wife when my planned route changes and I need to update her on my whereabouts incase I crash.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dricci, SantaFeNM, fathergll and 5 others
I’ve been using T-Mobile’s Starlink service all summer in Wyoming, Colorado, Oregon, and California, in wilderness areas way outside normal cell coverage. It's been an amazing communication tool for logistics, planning, and staying in touch.

Battery usage has been pretty minimal when I’m just doing iMessage/SMS. Honestly feels about the same as being on a regular cell network, maybe even better since you can't use battery-hungry social media apps constantly. I’m curious to see how battery life changes once I start using Google Maps, AllTrails, or AccuWeather with it.

Also. Compared to friend's using a Garmin, or Apple’s satellite option, it feels a lot more normal since the phone just stays connected to the satellite cell network at all times while in your pocket. No need to hold it up to the sky or trigger something to activate. It's always on. The Starlink cell network usually gets 1 bar of service, sometimes 2 bars.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dricci, SantaFeNM, poorcody and 1 other person
T Mobile is one of the most expensive carriers out there. Luckily there has been NO support whatsoever in my town since March 25 2023 after 8 years of superior coverage compared to Verizon. And customer support?

Please.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: John Lobert and Surfer13134
So, given that there are nefarious countries and organisations working to intercept the world's sub-marine communication cables, is potential data theft via pathways to satellites a thing?

😁 Do we need to arm every satellite to fend off attackers (US approach), have robotic hand's to wave a pointed finger menacingly (AUS approach), look the other way (CHE approach), or complain that the attacking satellites are made by only one manufacturer and is anti-competitive (EU approach)? 😁

"Subsea cables spanning over 800,000 miles globally carry more than 97 percent of the world's communications, including critical financial transactions."
 
Last edited:
So you're stranded with no service and the first thing that comes to mind is, let me scroll Twitter via satellite? LOL.

Honestly, Apple's SOS satellite features are enough for me. As long as I can iMessage, I'm good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Student of Life
richard371 said:
I’m testing their service here in sf to replace att. Service is a lot worse and does not work in the muni tunnels well at all.
Click to expand...
Yeah I get a lot of half connected calls that drop quickly (“call failed”) and other calls won’t even connect and ring. Definitely not what I had from Verizon but the service is a lot less expensive aka cheaper in more ways than one. However, they have the spectrum I need where I need it so coverage is more extensive even with this QoS crap.
 
theinstructor said:
Yeah I get a lot of half connected calls that drop quickly (“call failed”) and other calls won’t even connect and ring. Definitely not what I had from Verizon but the service is a lot less expensive aka cheaper in more ways than one. However, they have the spectrum I need where I need it so coverage is more extensive even with this QoS crap.
Click to expand...
They were supposed to expand coverage on the underground muni this July and it didn’t happen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back