Connect to a satellite with your iPhone

With iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro, you can connect your iPhone to a satellite to text the emergency services, request roadside assistance and share your location with friends and family — all while you’re off the grid with no mobile 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 15 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, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro.

How to connect to a satellite with your iPhone

• 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 Emergency SOS via satellite demo

To find out how Emergency SOS via satellite works, 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. In Settings, scroll down and tap Emergency SOS.

2. Under Emergency SOS via satellite, tap Try Demo.

   

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

Satellite features on iPhone

With iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro, you can use a satellite connection when you have no mobile and Wi-Fi coverage to text the emergency services, request roadside assistance and share your location.

• Emergency SOS via satellite will connect you to emergency responders

• Roadside Assistance via satellite will connect you to a roadside assistance provider

• Find My 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 has arrived, your location data will no longer be available to anyone, including Apple and the roadside assistance provider.

Locations shared via satellite in Find My are sent in an end-to-end encrypted form and can't be accessed by Apple.

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