With the release of iOS 18, Apple smartphones introduced a number of new features, including the ability to send messages via satellite. For several years now, Apple has offered the Satellite SOS Emergency Call feature, which allows the user to contact emergency services via satellite. And now iPhone owners in the US can send regular text messages to friends and family using the same system.
This system will trigger if a user tries to send text messages when there is no Wi-Fi or cellular service. “Messages via Satellite will automatically prompt you to connect to a nearby satellite so you can send and receive text messages, emoji, and tapbacks via iMessage and SMS,” Apple explained, noting that texts sent via satellite using iMessage are protected by end-to-end encryption.
Image Source: Apple
Apple also noted that sending messages to groups via satellite or sharing photos or videos is not supported, and the number of characters may be limited. All of the company’s devices, starting with the iPhone 14, are compatible with this function.
According to 9to5Mac, the new feature was useful for iPhone users and residents of several US states affected by Hurricane Helen, which claimed more than 100 lives and destroyed power lines, cell towers, roads and bridges.
«This new feature in iOS 18 came in very handy. I was able to contact my son. Unfortunately, no one else in the family had the latest version of iOS installed, so he was the only one who received my messages and later responded,” 9to5Mac quoted Matt Van Swol as saying on social media X.
«Since Verizon’s communications were completely down after the hurricane, Apple’s satellite messaging service was extremely helpful in allowing us to contact family and let them know we were safe, etc.,” another iPhone user posted on social media X.