Hurricane Milton currently appears to be an extremely dangerous threat to the state of Florida. If you are in the path of Hurricane Milton or know someone who is, I highly recommend you do the following: Install iOS 18 to start using Messages via Satellite.
Messages via Satellite lets you contact family and friends when your iPhone loses connection
As I write this, Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida on Wednesday night. I'm a Florida resident, so my family and I are currently evacuating to a safe area.
If you're a Florida local or know someone who is, I have one hurricane prep item to add to your to-do list: Install iOS 18.
iOS 18 introduces a key new iPhone feature that's perfect for emergencies. It's called Messages via Satellite.
Basically, Messages via Satellite allows you to contact friends and family using your iPhone's satellite connection.
So if cell towers go down or you lose power and Wi-Fi, there’s a backup solution for important communications.
Messages via Satellite was a lifeline for survivors of the recent Hurricane Ellen, but it also came at a time when many iPhone users were still using iOS 17.
If you or someone you know could potentially be without connectivity in the coming days, I highly recommend updating to iOS 18 so that Messages via Satellite can be an option for you.
How to Use Messages via Satellite in iOS 18
Once you have iOS 18 installed, you can demo Messages via Satellite by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Go to Apps ⇾ Messages
- Scroll down and tap “Show me satellite connection”
This will walk you through the process of getting a satellite connection to send important updates to your loved ones. It's great preparation in case you need to use this feature later.
Top comment from BCGeiger
While I'm still holding on to my old iPhone, this is one feature that really tempts me. We don't have hurricanes here, but we do have wildfires and earthquakes. In a pinch, this can be VERY useful.
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Note: Satellite Messages requires an iPhone 14 or later, as only these models support satellite connectivity.
Previous versions of iOS also had a related feature called Emergency SOS via Satellite. This allows you to contact emergency services to get help. iOS 18’s Satellite Messages feature allows you to contact any friend or family member to let them know how you’re doing.
Have you used Satellite Messages? How did it work for you? Let us know in the comments.
For further reading:
- How to Use Emergency SOS on iPhone via Satellite
- Not Connected? iOS 18 Lets You Send Messages from Your iPhone via Satellite
