Which iPhones Have Satellite SOS for Emergency Situations

If you're planning a trip to a remote area or engaging in outdoor activities, it's essential to have a reliable way to call for help in case of an emergency. The iPhone 14 series is the first to offer satellite SOS capabilities.

The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max all come equipped with satellite SOS, which allows you to send emergency messages to authorities using satellite connectivity. This feature is a game-changer for those who venture off the grid.

This feature is made possible through a partnership with Globalstar, a satellite network provider. The iPhone 14 series can connect to Globalstar's network, enabling you to send emergency messages even when you have no cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

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To use Satellite SOS, dial 911 and if your phone can't connect, an option to text emergency services via satellite appears. You can also go to Messages to text 911 or SOS, and then tap Emergency Services.

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The interface will walk you through the process step by step. You'll tap the Emergency Text via Satellite button, and then Report Emergency.

A form will appear that gathers essential information for emergency dispatchers. This information is compressed into a message that's a third the size of a regular text so it can be sent to a satellite in low Earth orbit.

You'll get different follow-up prompts and questions depending on your emergency. You can also notify your emergency contacts.

To connect to a satellite, onscreen directions will guide you through the process. You might need to shift left or right to maintain the connection, and it could take a minute or more to connect, especially if there is light foliage.

Your iPhone will start a text conversation with emergency responders and share the emergency questionnaire answers, your location, medical ID, emergency contact information, and battery life.

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Emergency SOS via satellite is a lifesaving feature that connects you to emergency services when traditional cellular and Wi-Fi service isn't available.

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To use Emergency SOS via satellite, you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. This is because the feature uses a satellite connection to send messages to emergency services.

The feature works by connecting your iPhone to the nearest Globalstar satellite via an internal antenna. This allows you to text 911 or 112 (depending on your country) and report your location when you're in need of urgent or emergency aid.

Under ideal conditions, a satellite message will be sent in under 15 seconds. However, if you're in an area with tall structures or dense foliage, the sending time can increase up to 1 minute.

Emergency SOS via satellite is free for two years after the activation of an iPhone 14 or later (all models). This is a generous offer from Apple, and it's a great incentive to get the feature.

If you're in a severe car crash or a hard fall and you're unresponsive, your iPhone or Apple Watch may automatically detect the situation and send a notification to emergency services using Emergency SOS via satellite.

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The Emergency SOS via satellite feature on iPhone 14 is a game-changer for safety. It connects you to emergency personnel when traditional cellular and Wi-Fi service isn't available.

This feature uses Globalstar's network of satellites to send text messages from the Messages app to emergency services or contacts. Messages will be displayed in gray bubbles, unlike iMessages.

Messages will be limited in length and will automatically go to the emergency contact's phone, even if they have Do Not Disturb enabled. This ensures that help can reach you quickly, even in areas with destroyed cell towers.

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The iPhone 14 and 15 models support Emergency SOS via Satellite, a feature that lets you send a text message to emergency services when a call can't be placed.

If you're wondering whether your older iPhone will get this feature, the answer is no. iPhones older than the iPhone 14 series lack the required hardware to support Emergency SOS via Satellite.

To use the Emergency SOS via Satellite service, your iPhone needs to be on the Globalstar satellite network, which is the network used by the iPhone 14. Most satellite phone brands, however, use the Iridium Network, which has more global coverage than Globalstar.

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The iPhone 14 and 15 models have satellite connectivity, supporting Emergency SOS via Satellite.

All iPhone 14 and 15 models can connect to satellites to send a text message to emergency services when a call can't be placed.

You can try out Emergency SOS via Satellite on your iPhone by going to Settings, tapping Emergency SOS, and scrolling to the bottom to try the demo. The demo mode turns off your cellular connection and gives you a preview of the emergency questionnaire.

The Emergency SOS via Satellite demo is a good way to familiarize yourself with the feature should you ever need it. It even lets you connect to a satellite and find one.

The service is free for two years, and Apple has extended it for free another year to iPhone 14 owners.

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Before going off the grid, it's essential to be prepared for areas with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. If you're going somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, here are some ways to be prepared.

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You'll want to make sure your devices are fully charged before heading out. Consider packing extra batteries or power banks to keep your devices running.

In areas with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, it's crucial to have a plan for communicating with others. This might include a two-way radio or a satellite phone.

Don't forget to bring a map and compass, as GPS won't be an option in areas without cellular coverage. I've learned this the hard way on a camping trip where my GPS device died on me.

Having a first aid kit and knowing basic first aid skills can be a lifesaver in an off-grid situation.

The iPhone 14 is technically a satellite phone when using the Emergency SOS via satellite service, but it's not a fully-fledged satellite phone or communicator.

It's worth noting that satellite phones like the Garmin inReach offer more services than the iPhone 14's limited location-sharing and emergency SOS uses.

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True satellite phones have significantly more robust construction than the glass-faced iPhone to ensure they can withstand rough conditions in the wilderness.

The iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via satellite service runs on the Globalstar satellite network, which has a more limited global coverage compared to the Iridium Network used by top satellite phone brands.

The iPhone X won't get Emergency SOS via Satellite because it lacks the required hardware to support this feature.

iPhones older than the iPhone 14 series won't get Emergency SOS via Satellite.

Using Satellite SOS is a straightforward process. You don't need to know anything about it, as the interface will walk you through the process step by step.

To get started, dial 911 and if your phone can't connect, an option to text emergency services via satellite appears. Tap the Emergency Text via Satellite button to begin.

The feature is designed to work on its own, and the interface will guide you through finding a satellite and staying connected. You'll be prompted to shift left or right to maintain the connection, and it could take a minute or more to connect, especially if there is light foliage.

Once you're connected, your iPhone starts a text conversation with emergency responders and shares the emergency questionnaire answers, your location (including elevation), critical information like your medical ID and emergency contact information (if you have set them up) and the remaining battery life for your iPhone.

You can try out the Emergency SOS via Satellite demo on your iPhone.

To start, go outside and open Settings. Then, tap Emergency SOS and scroll to the bottom to try the demo.

The demo turns off your cellular connection and gives you a preview of the emergency questionnaire.

It's a good way to familiarize yourself with the feature should you ever need it.

Connecting your iPhone to a satellite is just cool, and the demo lets you experience it firsthand.

The service is free for two years, and Apple extended the free period by another year to iPhone 14 owners in November 2023.

This demo is a great way to learn how Emergency SOS via satellite works, and it's a feature you might find useful one day.

You can send your location to anyone using a satellite service when you're outside of cellular and Wi-Fi access.

This feature is similar to the Emergency SOS via satellite service, but it's not the same.

With Send Location, you can share your location with someone, but it's not a way to call for emergency services.

If you're planning to explore remote areas, it's a good idea to know what your cellular coverage will look like.

You might be able to send your location via satellite, but you should also consider the limitations of this feature.

You can text emergency services via satellite on your iPhone, which is a lifesaver in remote areas with no cellular network.

First, try calling the local emergency number to reach emergency services, even if your normal cellular carrier network isn't available.

If your call won't connect, you can text emergency services via satellite by tapping Report Emergency.

To connect to a satellite, follow the onscreen instructions, and after you're connected, your iPhone will start a text conversation with emergency responders, sharing critical information like your Medical ID and emergency contact information.

You might be asked to respond to additional messages, and this service supports various languages, including English, American Spanish, Canadian French, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese.

You can also type specific keywords like "emergency", "emergencies", "SOS", "help", or "send help" in the address field of the new message to text emergency services via satellite.

To ensure you can access Emergency SOS via satellite with these key words, update your iPhone to the latest software before going off the grid.

Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite service is free for the first two years when you purchase an iPhone 14 or later models.

The two years of free service start from the date you activate your device, so make sure to note that down.

Unfortunately, Apple hasn't revealed the cost of Emergency SOS via satellite service after the first two years.

If you're wondering what to expect, top satellite phone providers offer monthly subscriptions between $11.95 and $52.95.

The average monthly subscription cost is around $23.96, with the more expensive options skewing the results higher.

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Text services can be a lifesaver in emergency situations. You can text emergency services via satellite on your iPhone, but you need to have iOS 16.4 or later.

First, try calling the local emergency number to reach emergency services. If your call won't connect, you can text emergency services via satellite. Certain local emergency numbers require iOS 16.4 or later to connect to emergency services via satellite.

To text emergency services via satellite, tap Report Emergency. Using simple taps, answer the emergency questions to best describe your situation. Choose to notify your emergency contacts that you contacted emergency services, along with your location and the nature of your emergency.

Once you're connected, your iPhone starts a text conversation with emergency responders by sharing critical information like your Medical ID and emergency contact information (if you have set them up), the emergency questionnaire answers, your location (including elevation), and remaining battery life for your iPhone.

You might be asked to respond to additional messages. This service supports English, American Spanish, Canadian French, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese.

You can also type "emergency", "emergencies", "SOS", "help", or "send help" in the address field of the new message to text emergency services via satellite.

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