Use Roadside Assistance via satellite on your iPhone

With iPhone 14 or later (any model), you can text for roadside assistance when you're off the grid.

How Roadside Assistance via satellite works

If you're off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, you can contact a roadside service provider via satellite to request roadside assistance^1,2 — for example, if you're locked out, have a flat tire, or run out of fuel or charge.

To connect to a satellite with your iPhone, you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. When you use a satellite connection, the experience is different than sending or receiving a message via cellular.

Learn more about connecting to a satellite with your iPhone

Roadside Assistance via satellite is free for two years after the activation of an iPhone 14 or later (any model).

The roadside provider's pricing information, if any, will be provided by the roadside provider before help is dispatched.

Request Roadside Assistance via satellite

When you're off the grid and need roadside assistance, you can connect to a satellite through Connection Assistant or right in the Messages app.

Use Connection Assistant

Requires iOS 18 or later.

Open Connection Assistant:
- In Control Center: Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, tap the Cellular button on the right, then tap Satellite.
- In the Settings app: Open Settings, then tap Satellite.
- In Messages app: When you're off the grid, you get a prompt to Use Messages via Satellite. Tap the prompt, then tap the Dynamic Island again to open Connection Assistant.
Follow the onscreen instructions to connect to a satellite.
Choose Roadside Assistance to request help for your vehicle.

If you have cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, the Satellite option in Settings won't appear and the Satellite option in Control Center opens the Satellite Connection Demo.

Use the Messages app

In Messages, tap the New Message button to start a conversation.
In the address field, type "Roadside."* When you're off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, you'll see the option to request Roadside Assistance via satellite.
Tap "Roadside Assistance."
Follow the onscreen instructions to connect to a satellite and request help.

Alternatively, if you attempt to call 911 and your call won't connect, you'll have the option to text either emergency services or a roadside assistance provider via satellite.

*You can also type "roadside assistance," "help," "send help," "emergency," "emergencies," "service," or "flat tire." To make sure that you can access Roadside Assistance via satellite with these key words, update your iPhone to the latest software before going off the grid.

Roadside Assistance via satellite availability

What you need

iPhone 14 or later (any model)
An active SIM (a Verizon SIM is required to connect to Verizon roadside assistance)
The latest version of iOS:
- United States: iOS 17 or later (AAA) or iOS 17.2 or later (Verizon) for roadside assistance.
- United Kingdom: iOS 17 or later to connect to Green Flag for roadside assistance.
- Australia: iOS 18.4 or later to connect to NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT, and AANT for roadside assistance

You need to connect to a satellite with your iPhone³

Where it's available

Australia, United States (including Puerto Rico), and the United Kingdom.
Some roadside service providers might not support all states or territories.
You need to be in a place with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
Availability in other regions is subject to regulation by government agencies, necessary approvals, and other market specific requirements. Apple is working to bring these capabilities to more regions as soon as possible.
International travelers who visit Australia, the UK, or the US can use the feature while visiting, except if they bought their iPhone in certain countries or regions⁴.

AAA provides roadside assistance for motorcycles and four-wheeled, motor driven cars and pickup trucks.
Roadside assistance is offered by the roadside providers according to the terms and conditions of their membership or subscription, and may also be available to users without a membership or subscription. Terms and conditions may apply.
Satellite network for Apple features provided by Globalstar, Inc. and its affiliates or third-party network providers.
Satellite connectivity isn't offered on iPhone models purchased in Armenia, Belarus, China mainland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. For iPhone models purchased in Hong Kong and Macao, satellite connectivity is offered only on iPhone 16e or later.