Apple rolls out iPhone 14 emergency satellite messaging service


Apple today activated its groundbreaking satellite service for all iPhone 14 models. The service brings widespread emergency satellite messages to a smartphone. The service is going live for U.S. and Canada, with more countries to follow.

With the service, users have the ability to communicate with emergency responders if a cellular or WiFi signal is unavailable. The sattelite service requires a clear view of the sky, and the user may need to tune the antenna by pointing the iPhone at the sky. Additionally, the satellite service can augment cellular and WiFi signals used in Apple's Find My app for tracking by those granted access to location info.

The service is integrated into Apple's Emergency SOS feature. The satellite service will appear if other communication options are unavailable while requesting assistance. iOS offers a demo mode to try the system; otherwise, users will only see the satellite service if cellular is unavailable while requesting help. The demo provides a simulation of using the service.

Once connected to responders, communication occurs via text messaging because of bandwidth limitations. The app gives directions on tuning the antenna with a visual indicator of a satellite position and guides to where to point the phone.

The video below dramatizes a demo of the new Emergency SOS via Satellite feature.