You Can Send Texts via Satellite in iOS 18

[MacRumors]

With iOS 18, Apple is expanding the Emergency SOS via satellite feature to introduce Messages via satellite, a feature that will let you send texts even when you don't have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

Available on the iPhone 14 or later, you can send and receive iMessages or SMS messages using a satellite connection. The feature works with all iMessage features such as emoji and Tapbacks, plus with iMessage, conversations are end-to-end encrypted.

Messages via satellite will work on the iPhone 14 and later, aka the same devices that support Emergency SOS via satellite. Apple did not specify whether there will be a cost for Messages via satellite, but Emergency SOS via satellite is still free for all iPhone 14 users for a total of three years.

Apple has said it eventually plans to charge for satellite services, but no pricing has been unveiled. The iPhone 15 models also came with two free years of satellite access.

Article Link: You Can Send Texts via Satellite in iOS 18

 

[CrysisDeu]

Finally.. calling when?
Also isn’t t-mobile going to enable that for many more phones eventually as well?

 

[segers909]

This was the single most exciting announcement at WWDC for me.

 

[tivoboy]

Is this just going to be Emergency SOS, or actual real access to Sat Messaging independent of whether or not it’s an emergency. My guess is that this will be a $10-15$ a month add-on at some point soon enough IF it’s more than just emergency access.

 

[Macusercom]

Smart move: introduce a feature for free, make it even more useful and then charge for it. Satellite communication is very expensive so of course Apple won't just eat the cost.

I can even see then getting you make an emergency SMS and charge you afterwards

 

[Baywatchboy]

This was a good surprise to hear from the event. I was considering getting a Garmin Sat device for camping and hiking, but I'll hold off until I hear more about this.

 

[LV426]

Has Apple actually said it eventually plans to charge for satellite services? I know they made an announcement at the time that the service would be free for a couple of years, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will ever charge for it.

 

[tivoboy]

Has Apple actually said it eventually plans to charge for satellite services? I know they made an announcement at the time that the service would be free for a couple of years, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will ever charge for it.

I think they will definelyt start charging for it, or bundling it somehow into some apple one or other services plan. At the time it was announced with iPhone 14 the Gstar stuff wasn’t really fully built out for this functionality, not ubiquitous (and still isn’t) and apple gave/loaned something like 125M to GSTAR to add new satellites and capacity and coverage. That was to take~ 2 years.

So, this fall we’ll probably hear something about IF you have an iPhone 14, how much it will cost to maintain that capability and IF you want some of this additional capability, how much THAT will cost.

 

[loopy123]

Finally.. calling when?
Also isn’t t-mobile going to enable that for many more phones eventually as well?

That just isn't possible without support for satellite technology built into the phone itself.

Apples announcement is a game changer - I would guess Garmin stock just dropped as it instantly makes a lot of Garmin devices irrelevant.

 

[polyphenol]

I'll be quite happy to continue to get emergency SMS free, but pay for any other SMS. At present, I can't see any need for me. Especially as I now have a cheap eSIM on a second network, so have filled in the many gaps in service in my part of the world. But if circumstances change, it is good to have the option. And OK if they are relatively expensive so long as I don't have to have anything more than a temporary PAYG or similar. Even pay per message to Apple.

 

[alexandr]

This is awesome! This will make me feel a lot better about hiking in serviceless places.

 

[tivoboy]

That just isn't possible without support for satellite technology built into the phone itself.

Apples announcement is a game changer - I would guess Garmin stock just dropped as it instantly makes a lot of Garmin devices irrelevant.

Not really, still solid market for something like the Garmin devices.. both from the funcintlaity and the longevity of the battery capacity as a longer duration device for emergency when out of reach (no pun intended).. and coverage is also better. Since garmin uses Irridium as the transmission network, the coverage is much better than the Gstar network.

And, for the most part they work everywhere NOW, whereas apple continues to slow roll out this feature globally.

 

[vertsix]

This was the single most exciting announcement at WWDC for me.

Agreed. Highly underrated.

 

[LV426]

I think they will definelyt start charging for it, or bundling it somehow into some apple one or other services plan. At the time it was announced with iPhone 14 the Gstar stuff wasn’t really fully built out for this functionality, not ubiquitous (and still isn’t) and apple gave/loaned something like 125M to GSTAR to add new satellites and capacity and coverage. That was to take~ 2 years.

So, this fall we’ll probably hear something about IF you have an iPhone 14, how much it will cost to maintain that capability and IF you want some of this additional capability, how much THAT will cost.

Can you imagine the negative backlash if someone ever died in a car crash because they didn't opt in to a subscription. It would kill Apple.

On the other hand, I can see that providing run-of-the-mill SMS messages over expensive satellites is a different matter that could attract a charge.

 

[Snow Leper]

This was the single most exciting announcement at WWDC for me.

Same. I can’t believe they didn’t dive deeper into how big this is. I can finally get rid of my expensive and comparably useless Garmin sat messenger.

 

[ninetyCent]

Finally.. calling when?
Also isn’t t-mobile going to enable that for many more phones eventually as well?

OMG right? Who cares that we're able to text from pretty much anywhere humanly habitable on earth?

 

[sw1tcher]

Finally.. calling when?
Also isn’t t-mobile going to enable that for many more phones eventually as well?

That just isn't possible without support for satellite technology built into the phone itself.

The T-Mobile thing is a partnership they made with SpaceX

T‑Mobile Takes Coverage Above and Beyond With SpaceX - T‑Mobile Newsroom

In a live event today, T‑Mobile and SpaceX announced Coverage Above and Beyond: a breakthrough new plan to bring cell phone connectivity nearly everywhere.

www.t-mobile.com

To provide this service, the companies will create a new network, broadcast from Starlink’s satellites using T-Mobile’s mid-band spectrum nationwide. This true satellite-to-cellular service will provide nearly complete coverage almost anywhere a customer can see the sky.

With this technology, T-Mobile is planning to give customers text coverage practically everywhere in the continental US, Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico and territorial waters, even outside the signal of T-Mobile’s network starting with a beta in select areas by the end of next year after SpaceX’s planned satellite launches. Text messaging, including SMS, MMS and participating messaging apps, will empower customers to stay connected and share experiences nearly everywhere. Afterwards, the companies plan to pursue the addition of voice and data coverage.

First SpaceX Satellites Launch for Breakthrough Direct to Cell Service with T‑Mobile ‑ T‑Mobile Newsroom

Today, T‑Mobile announced that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched the first set of Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities.

www.t-mobile.com

 

[segers909]

That just isn't possible without support for satellite technology built into the phone itself.

Apples announcement is a game changer - I would guess Garmin stock just dropped as it instantly makes a lot of Garmin devices irrelevant.

This is no longer true.

AT&T Demos Satellite Connectivity with an Unmodified Cellphone

The AT&T satellite connectivity came from AST SpaceMobile. An AT&T spokesperson said that in the future, the technology could

www.telecompetitor.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1792981845296160791

 

[jaytv111]

Is this just going to be Emergency SOS, or actual real access to Sat Messaging independent of whether or not it’s an emergency. My guess is that this will be a $10-15$ a month add-on at some point soon enough IF it’s more than just emergency access.

Real, actual, satellite messaging, that's what they show on the Apple website, people sending iMessages over satellite (no pics or multimedia though).

Also will fall back to SMS for communicating with non-Apple device

Has Apple actually said it eventually plans to charge for satellite services? I know they made an announcement at the time that the service would be free for a couple of years, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will ever charge for it.

Apple has themselves described the free years of satellite SOS as being a "free trial" which heavily implies it will have a cost eventually, unless you upgrade devices presumably.

Apple extends Emergency SOS via satellite for an additional free year

Apple is extending Emergency SOS via satellite for an additional free year for existing iPhone 14 users.

www.apple.com

 

[iLuddite]

Whew chile the chemtrails

 

[mashdots]

I wonder if more people will use this since it'll be messaging instead of trying to make an emergency phone call. Could be interesting.

I'm also curious about pricing longer term. I can't imagine apple subsidizing this forever, especially with a feature as common as messaging.


Speaking of features that don't need internet, this is just a side idea - it would be cool for iMessage to work with UWB or something. For example, being on a plane and still being able to message someone I know who isn't far from me would be pretty sweet. I realize that's pretty niche, but still.

 

[goodcow]

Smart move: introduce a feature for free, make it even more useful and then charge for it. Satellite communication is very expensive so of course Apple won't just eat the cost.

I can even see then getting you make an emergency SMS and charge you afterwards

The optics of beginning to charge for this feature, and somebody dying because they couldn't afford the subscription after it was free for years, would be pretty bad.

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

They should not charge for this, find a way to integrate it into your costs.

 

[burgman]

Can you imagine the negative backlash if someone ever died in a car crash because they didn't opt in to a subscription. It would kill Apple.

On the other hand, I can see that providing run-of-the-mill SMS messages over expensive satellites is a different matter that could attract a charge.

Same scenario in car emergency services no pay no SOS. Been that way since the beginning, no drama for manufacturers. I assume same for Apple even with the large pool of entitlement

 

[KENPHOTO]

This was a good surprise to hear from the event. I was considering getting a Garmin Sat device for camping and hiking, but I'll hold off until I hear more about this.

I have an iPhone 15 Pro and I just bought a Garmin Inreach Mini 2 last week. I purposely went somewhere to test it to see how it compared to the emergency SOS satellite on the iPhone. I found a really bad flaw in the Apple Satellite feature. Where I was, my iPhone said I had one bar of signal, but the signal was so weak, I was not able to make any calls or send any iMessages/SMS. I tried to send my location via satellite (to test the satellite without actually setting off an emergency) and the iPhone said that satellite was not available because I had cellular signal (even thought the cellular signal was too weak to use). The Garmin worked with no issue. Worth the money for me for the Garmin, but the Apple satellite is good to have as a back up solution, I would not rely on it. Had that been a real emergency I would have been screwed if not for the Garmin.