Connect to a satellite with your iPhone

With iPhone 14 or later (all models), you can connect your iPhone to a satellite to text emergency services, request roadside assistance, message friends and family, and share your location — all while you're off the grid with no mobile network and Wi-Fi coverage.

How satellite connection works on iPhone

Satellites move rapidly, have low bandwidth and are located hundreds of miles away from Earth. So, when you use a satellite connection, the experience is different to sending or receiving a message via mobile:

• In ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and the horizon, a message may take 30 seconds to send. It may take over a minute to send under trees with light or medium foliage.

• If you’re under heavy foliage or surrounded by other obstructions, you may not be able to connect to a satellite.

• Connection times can also be impacted by your surroundings, the length of your message, and the status and availability of the satellite network.

To use satellite connectivity, your iPhone must have compatible software. Before you go somewhere with no mobile and Wi-Fi coverage, you should update to the latest version of iOS.

Satellite features are included for free for two years with the activation of an iPhone 14 or later (all models).

Connect to a satellite with your iPhone

Starting in iOS 18, the Connection Assistant helps you access satellite features and connect to a satellite when you are somewhere with no mobile network and Wi-Fi coverage. When you open Connection Assistant, your iPhone provides on-screen instructions to connect.

Open Connection Assistant

You can open the Connection Assistant in Control Centre or in the Settings app:

• In Control Centre: Swipe down from the top right-hand corner of your iPhone to open Control Centre, then tap the Mobile Data button on the right. Tap Satellite, then choose a satellite feature.

• In the Settings app: Open Settings, then tap Satellite and choose a satellite feature.

How to connect to a satellite

• Be outside with a clear view of the sky and the horizon.

• Be aware that trees with light foliage may slow down the connection. Dense foliage, hills or mountains, canyons and tall structures may block the connection.

• Hold your iPhone naturally in your hand. You don’t need to raise your arm or hold your phone up, but don’t put it in a pocket or backpack.

• If you need to turn left or right or move to avoid a blocked signal, your iPhone will provide onscreen instructions.

• The satellite connection can be maintained even if your phone screen is locked.

• Satellite connectivity may not work in places above 62° latitude, such as northern parts of Alaska.

Try the Satellite Connection Demo

To find out how to connect to a satellite, try the demo. You'll need to be outside on relatively open terrain and with a clear view of the sky. Trees with light foliage may slow down the connection and dense foliage may block it. Hills or mountains, canyons and tall structures can also block the connection.

If you don’t have Location Services turned on for Satellite Connection, you’ll be prompted to turn it on before you start the demo.

1. To open Control Centre, swipe down from the top right-hand corner of your iPhone.

2. Tap the Mobile Data button in the right of Control Centre.

   

3. Tap Satellite, then tap Try Demo:

   1. To find out how to connect to satellite, tap Try Connecting to Satellite.

   2. To find out how Emergency SOS via satellite works, tap Try Emergency SOS.

   3. You can also tap a satellite feature to find out more about it.

4. Follow the onscreen instructions to practise connecting your iPhone to a satellite.

You can also open directly to a demo of Emergency SOS via satellite or Messages via satellite:

• Emergency SOS via satellite: Settings app > Emergency SOS

• Settings app > Apps > Messages, then scroll down and tap Satellite Connection Demo.

Satellite features on iPhone

With iPhone 14 or later (all models), you can use a satellite connection when you have no mobile data and Wi-Fi coverage to text emergency services, request roadside assistance, message friends and family, and share your location.

• Emergency SOS via satellite connects you to emergency responders

• Roadside Assistance via satellite connects you to a roadside assistance provider

• Messages via satellite lets you message friends and family right from the Messages app

• Send Location via satellite lets you update your location

Satellite features and privacy

When you text with Emergency SOS via satellite, your messages will be sent in encrypted form. They will then be decrypted by Apple to be passed along to the relevant emergency services dispatcher or the emergency relay centre. Your messages may be retained by emergency service centres and the relay provider to improve their services, and in compliance with applicable laws.

In order to route your text messages to a local emergency services organisation, and to assist responders in reaching you, your location will be shared with Apple and the relay providers when you use Emergency SOS via satellite.

When you use Roadside Assistance via satellite, your current location will be shared with Apple and the roadside assistance provider temporarily until help arrives, in order to route your message to the roadside assistance provider and assist them in reaching you. After help arrives, location data is no longer shared with Apple and the roadside assistance provider.

When you share your location via satellite in the Find My app, your location is sent in an end-to-end encrypted form and can't be accessed by Apple.

When you use Messages via satellite, your iMessages are end-to-end encrypted, so that nobody other than you and the person that you're messaging with can read them while they're in transit between devices.

At all times, information collected by Apple will be treated in accordance with Apple’s Privacy Policy.