Let me be blunt: when you have an iPhone 14 or later and are living in the USA or Canada, improve to iOS 18 now to get Messages by means of satellite tv for pc. (The third-generation iPhone SE 3, launched in 2022, lacks satellite tv for pc reinforce.) The satellite tv for pc connectivity supplied via the closing 3 generations of iPhones will have to be a part of everybody’s crisis preparedness, simply as folks used to hold mobile phones of their automobiles purely in case of emergency. Certain, mobile connectivity is popular, apart from when it’s no longer, and as the ones suffering from Storm Helene can file, it’s some distance from assured in herbal failures. Kind of 75% of mobile websites in affected spaces of North Carolina had been offline to begin with, basically because of energy outages and shipping disasters, and just about two weeks later, 12% stay offline.
Apple doesn’t but fee for its satellite tv for pc products and services. The corporate notes that “Roadside Help, Emergency SOS, and Messages by means of satellite tv for pc are incorporated without spending a dime for 2 years with the activation of any iPhone 14 or later type.” Then again, Apple already prolonged that time period for an extra yr for iPhone 14 homeowners (see “Apple Extends Loose Emergency SOS by means of Satellite tv for pc for iPhone 14 Customers for Some other 12 months,” 15 November 2023). We’ll see what occurs in November 2025.
Messages by means of satellite tv for pc lately works simplest in the USA and Canada, Roadside Help is to be had simplest in the USA and UK, and you’ll be able to use Emergency SOS in a handful of Ecu nations plus Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand.
A Temporary Historical past of iPhone Satellite tv for pc Communications
Two years in the past, Apple offered Emergency SOS by means of satellite tv for pc with the iPhone 14 and iOS 16 (see “Checking out Emergency SOS and To find My by means of Satellite tv for pc,” 21 November 2022). Giving a consumer-level mobile phone powers identical to a dear, devoted satellite tv for pc telephone with a dear carrier plan used to be an excellent technological (and industry) feat. The era proved its effectiveness throughout the yr (see “Emergency SOS by means of Satellite tv for pc Saves Lives in Maui Fires,” 10 August 2023). Apple additionally added the non-emergency To find My by means of satellite tv for pc, letting you replace your coordinates (each and every quarter-hour) so they may be able to be considered via folks with whom you had already shared your location. When iOS 17 got here out, Apple expanded the carrier to assist stranded motorists with Roadside Help by means of satellite tv for pc (see “5 Surprising Bulletins from Apple’s Wonderlust Match,” 12 September 2023).
Whilst it’s inconceivable to criticize a carrier that actually saves lives, Emergency SOS by means of satellite tv for pc used to be just the beginning. I guessed incorrect about what would are available in iOS 17, however my conclusion to “Checking out Emergency SOS and To find My by means of Satellite tv for pc” used to be prescient with reference to iOS 18 permitting textual content messaging by means of satellite tv for pc:
So Apple, how about this for a roadmap? … if the satellite tv for pc gadget proves able to dealing with the site visitors, iOS 18 may additionally let us ship quick texts by means of satellite tv for pc.
Apple has now executed that, enabling any person with an iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or iPhone 16 working iOS 18 to be in contact the use of Messages even if there is not any mobile or Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s simple to do, however because you won’t be capable of in finding useless zones as simply as I will, let me display you the method and percentage utilization notes. I additionally suggest making an attempt Apple’s Satellite tv for pc Connection Demo via tapping the Satellite tv for pc button in Keep an eye on Middle.
The usage of Messages by means of Satellite tv for pc
The iPhone’s satellite tv for pc connectivity turns on simplest when there is not any mobile or Wi-Fi carrier; Plane Mode isn’t enough. When you’ll be able to use it, an SOS icon seems within the higher proper nook of the display screen, infrequently in conjunction with a satellite tv for pc icon. I steadily in finding myself in SOS mode, however for this take a look at, I biked 8 miles to a place within the within reach the city of Brooktondale that has no mobile protection. Believe me status subsequent to my motorbike along a rural highway on a fall day in upstate New York, preserving my iPhone to the sky and rotating each and every little while.
Not like mobile and Wi-Fi, satellite tv for pc connectivity isn’t computerized. Activating the carrier calls for a go back and forth to the Settings app, the place a Satellite tv for pc choice seems beneath Battery in case you’re in the suitable cases. However, your first release of Messages after getting into SOS mode activates you to allow the carrier; tapping the notification opens Settings > Satellite tv for pc.
Apple gives a crisp rationalization of satellite tv for pc connectivity and the way the relationship procedure works. First, faucet Use Messages by means of Satellite tv for pc. Then, flip your iPhone to indicate on the satellite tv for pc. When you align your dot with the satellite tv for pc symbol and notice the golf green haze between the 2, you’re attached. I’ll center of attention on Messages, however different buttons help you replace your shared To find My location, get started Roadside Help, or touch an emergency dispatcher the use of Emergency SOS. Despite the fact that you’ll be able to’t ship your location the use of Messages by means of satellite tv for pc, you’ll be able to replace To find My by means of satellite tv for pc and message those that can see it to test the place you’re.
While you transfer again to Messages, iPhone fashions with a Dynamic Island display a inexperienced dot and checkmark to signify you’re attached; if it turns orange, you’ve misplaced connectivity and want to realign with the satellite tv for pc. (I’m no longer positive how this seems to be at the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus, the one fashions with satellite tv for pc reinforce that lack the Dynamic Island.)
Extra attention-grabbing is how Messages informs you what’s imaginable inside a dialog. The textual content box displays grey textual content studying both “iMessage • Satellite tv for pc” or “Textual content Message • Satellite tv for pc”. Apple’s documentation suggests 4 situations:
iPhone customers working iOS 18 or later can be in contact by means of iMessage (best left, underneath).
Non-iPhone customers can obtain and ship messages by means of SMS (best proper, underneath).
iPhone customers working iOS 17.6 or later too can obtain and ship by means of SMS (additionally best proper, underneath).
iPhone customers working iOS 17.5 or previous can obtain by means of SMS however won’t be capable of answer.
Oddly, Tonya confirmed up as being allowed to make use of iMessage even if she’s nonetheless working iOS 17.6.1—I consider that’s as a result of she upgraded considered one of her Macs to macOS 15 Sequoia. For the ones restricted to SMS, Messages says, “Title won’t be capable of answer from gadgets the place the tool hasn’t been up to date.” I gained replies from all of the folks recognized as such, so I’m undecided what Apple is caution about. When you don’t get a answer from any individual who may well be working an outdated model of iOS, that can be why.
The ground two screenshots within the assortment above display conversations that refused to permit satellite tv for pc communications. The primary is easy—staff chats aren’t to be had by means of satellite tv for pc, even supposing everyone seems to be on iMessage. I am getting that—even supposing there isn’t a technical limitation, Apple possibly doesn’t need folks overloading the gadget with chatty conversations.
The second one is extra difficult to understand. Apple warns in its notes that iMessage gained’t paintings for any individual “in case you haven’t despatched them an iMessage lately,” however SMS will have to. That message seems in a dialog that hasn’t noticed any site visitors for 6 months. We will have to were given the choice to make use of SMS. On a next take a look at with TidBITS editor Glenn Fleishman, I used to be given the method to transfer to SMS the use of his number one telephone quantity. Oddly, the SMS messages I despatched him disappeared from my iPhone after I had protection once more, even if they remained visual on Messages on each our Macs.
You might be able to pressure a transfer to SMS in iOS 18 via going to Settings > Apps > Messages and ensuring that Ship as Textual content Message is to be had; you may additionally need to disable iMessage in the similar spot. When I used to be again in mobile protection, I may proceed the dialog simply effective, and it labored on a next take a look at. Upload this to the bizarre prep record for going off the grid: ship iMessages to rare dialog companions it’s possible you’ll wish to touch! (Glenn speculates that Apple’s satellites or floor stations cache a subset of the loads of hundreds of thousands of safety parts it creates for safe iMessage conversations and purges them over the years when no longer in use.)
The main useful distinction between iMessage and textual content message conversations by means of satellite tv for pc is the nature depend limitation. Satellite tv for pc-based iMessage limits you to 500 characters; textual content messages are limited to 140 characters, a restrict inherent in SMS. The ones restrictions are exhausting and rapid—exceeding the desired quantity disables the ship button. (Messages most often sidesteps the nature depend factor with common SMS and MMS via sending more than one messages.) iMessage conversations by means of satellite tv for pc also are end-to-end encrypted; SMS conversations aren’t.
Without reference to your connection sort, you can’t ship photos, movies, audio messages, stickers, location, or the rest beneath the + button to the left of the textual content box. Emoji paintings effective, as do tapbacks. Regardless of no longer having an Web connection, I used to be pleasantly stunned so as to dictate my messages as a substitute of tapping them out one letter at a time, like an animal.
In fact, messages are despatched slowly, with ship instances infrequently attaining as top as 30 to 60 seconds, relying at the iPhone’s satellite tv for pc connection. As you’ll be able to see underneath, a blue or inexperienced fill bar seems on the best of the dialog whilst the message is sending. You’ll be able to transfer to different conversations or apps whilst it’s being despatched. When you lose the satellite tv for pc hyperlink, Messages will stay making an attempt till you reconnect.
To obtain replies, you will have to keep attached to the satellite tv for pc. So long as that’s the case, conversations float naturally. Right through checking out, I exchanged messages with 4 folks. Your iMessage correspondents are knowledgeable they’re speaking with you by means of satellite tv for pc and will have to faucet Ship by means of Satellite tv for pc for the primary message, as my podcast buddy Allison Sheridan did underneath.
My checks weren’t fully a success, with my satellite tv for pc messages to Tonya by no means arriving, even if my iPhone displays them being despatched by means of iMessage. We in the end came upon that they did arrive, however simplest on a little-used Mac that she had upgraded to Sequoia. I think that after she installs iOS 18 on her iPhone, satellite tv for pc messages will seem there, too.
Apple doesn’t let arbitrary folks, contacts or differently, message you prior to you hook up with the satellite tv for pc except you’ve added them as an emergency touch or they’re a member of your Circle of relatives Sharing staff. Other people in the ones two classes can message you by means of SMS whilst you’re offline, and their texts are delivered once you hook up with the satellite tv for pc. (You’ll be able to get ready for being differently unreachable via including the present folks you maximum want to stay involved with in your emergency contacts.)
Messages displays those contacts a message whilst you’re off the grid and probably reachable by means of satellite tv for pc. Since they’ll most likely be iMessage customers, it’s unclear whether or not they want to disable iMessage (as defined above) to ship you an SMS as a substitute of an iMessage or if their iPhone will advised them to resend as a textual content message when the iMessage isn’t delivered. Apple explains, “You gained’t obtain iMessages till your emergency touch or circle of relatives member returns to the dialog and faucets Ship by means of Satellite tv for pc beneath their message bubble.” My takeaway is that you just shouldn’t think any incoming messages will paintings till you’ve precipitated your finish of the dialog.
Keeping up your satellite tv for pc connection might require no intervention for a number of mins, however satellites transfer temporarily, so that you will have to rotate periodically to stay one in view. Additionally, satellites often fall underneath the horizon in any course, so it’s possible you’ll want to flip round to connect with a brand new one. The gadget makes sense sufficient to inform you when the following satellite tv for pc might be in vary, with a countdown in mins. Since I used to be simply checking out the gadget and wasn’t in misery, I discovered following the satellites round more or less a laugh.
While you’re executed, simply put your iPhone away to wreck the relationship.
Despite the fact that it comes with some bizarre caveats and footnotes, Messages by means of satellite tv for pc labored sufficiently smartly in my checking out that I haven’t any qualms recommending it. I don’t be expecting to wish it often, however I spend sufficient time in spaces with vulnerable mobile carrier—in large part at the trails and rural roads round Ithaca—to make use of it each and every month or two. I don’t wish to oversell it as a life-saving characteristic—Emergency SOS by means of satellite tv for pc ticked that field two years in the past. But Messages by means of satellite tv for pc will nonetheless make existence more straightforward and not more disturbing for hundreds of thousands of folks. I’ll be capable of be in contact extra readily whilst volunteering at path races, and I will motorbike lengthy distances figuring out I will simply textual content for assist if I blow a tire. Plus, whilst upstate New York isn’t typically plagued via hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and different herbal failures that may disrupt the mobile community, it will end up useful right through excessive climate occasions.
In the long run, it’s no longer near to staying attached; it’s about being ready for no matter existence would possibly throw your manner. Messages by means of satellite tv for pc supplies very important connectivity that allows you to achieve out for assist or convenience anywhere you end up, whether or not you’re mountain climbing in faraway spaces, touring via mobile useless zones, or dealing with a herbal crisis that has knocked out native infrastructure. When you’re nonetheless at the fence about upgrading to iOS 18, imagine this a nudge.
