Joe Rossignol
Today marks two years since Apple made Emergency SOS satellite available on all iPhone 14 models in the US and Canada. Since then, Apple has expanded the set of satellite features, all of which remain free to use.
Here’s an update on Apple’s rollout of satellite features and what’s coming next.
- November 2022: Apple launches Emergency SOS satellite in the US and Canada, allowing you to contact emergency services using text messaging in most places without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. You can also share your location in the Find My app via a satellite connection. The feature is available on all iPhone 14 and later models. When the feature first launched, Apple said it would be free for two years after activating any iPhone 14, but the free period was later extended by one year.
- December 2022: the feature rolls out to the UK, France, Germany, and Ireland.
- March 2023: the feature rolls out to Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
- May 2023: the feature rolls out to Australia and New Zealand.
- September 2023: the feature rolls out to Spain and Switzerland.
- September 2023:Apple is launching Roadside Assistance via satellite in the U.S., allowing you to contact a AAA roadside assistance provider via text message in most places without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage if you have a flat tire, run out of gas, or other car problems. The feature is available on all iPhone 14 models and later. This feature is also free for two years after you activate your device.
- November 2023: Apple makes Emergency SOS via satellite free for another year for customers who have already activated iPhone 14, meaning the feature is free until at least November 2025.
- December 2023: Verizon becomes a satellite roadside assistance partner.
- July 2024: Emergency SOS via satellite expands to Japan.
- September 2024: Apple launches Messages via satellite in the U.S. and Canada, letting you send and receive iMessage and SMS text messages in non-emergency situations outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Like other satellite features, it has an initial two-year free trial.
- October 2024: Satellite roadside assistance expands in the UK with Green Flag.
- November 2024: Apple is giving its satellite partner Globalstar about $1.5 billion to fund the expansion of iPhone satellite services.
It's unclear if or when Apple will start charging for the iPhone's satellite features, but the free trial time limit suggests the company eventually plans to charge for at least some of the services. The current free trial for Emergency SOS via satellite ends in a year, so Apple still has time to figure out its plans.
With funding from Apple, Globalstar plans to launch a new satellite constellation and expand its ground infrastructure, which could lead to faster connection times and the expansion of the iPhone's satellite capabilities to more countries.
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