The capacity to call emergency services in areas without cellular coverage is one of the most important features of the iPhone 14 and 15 series. Apple’s 2022 announcement of Emergency SOS via Satellite has been essential in assisting trapped individuals in reaching emergency services in the absence of a phone connection. It assisted a couple who were stuck in their vehicle during the Maui wildfires this past summer.
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Communications satellites are traveling hundreds of miles above the earth at 16,000 mph, beyond the clouds and sky. Although they are too high for the human eye to see, they may be essential for receiving assistance if you or a loved one becomes lost, hurt, and beyond of phone service range. Even when you are unable to make a phone call, the iPhone 14 and 15 can connect to these satellites to get in touch with an emergency dispatcher. Without sending a message, you may also use a satellite to let loved ones know where you are.
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Similar to car crash detection, satellite-based emergency SOS is something you hope you never need. Apple has a built-in demo mode that allows you to connect to a satellite without dialing 911 if you wish to test the service out for yourself.
How to utilize the iPhone 14 and 15’s Emergency SOS via satellite
You don’t need to know anything about Emergency SOS via Satellite, which is the first thing you should know. The UI will guide you through the procedure step-by-step, and the service is built to function independently.
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The second thing you should be aware of is that phoning 911 is the same as utilizing Emergency SOS. In fact, you utilize it just like that. If your phone is unable to connect, you may text emergency services via satellite after dialing 911. Press the Emergency Text via Satellite button to begin. (You may also choose Emergency Services after selecting Messages and texting 911 or SOS.)
Take a look: I tried using the iPhone’s Emergency SOS feature via satellite at 06:04.
Upon testing the function, I saw a satellite symbol in the upper right corner of the phone, which is typically where my mobile service is.
Then choose Report Emergency. Apple collaborated with emergency dispatchers to develop a form that collects the critical data they need to react, since a satellite connection does not allow for a back-and-forth dialogue like a traditional phone. For transmission to a satellite in low Earth orbit, those information are condensed into a message that is one-third the size of a standard text message.
You respond to the emergency questions by tapping according to your circumstances. You may choose from the following categories of emergencies:
Automobile or Vehicle Problem
Illness or Damage Injury Crime Lost or Captured Fire
You will get various follow-up questions and prompts depending on your emergency. Notifying your emergency contacts is another option.
A text exchange between emergency dispatchers and an iPhone 14
CNET/Kevin Heinz
After that, you may connect to a satellite by following the on-screen instructions. The user-friendly UI helps you locate a satellite and maintain connectivity. I was asked to move left or right to keep the connection when the satellite moved. Additionally, the link functioned in 20 to 30 seconds even on a wet and overcast day. However, if there is light vegetation, it may take a minute or more to connect.
When you connect, your iPhone initiates a text exchange with emergency personnel, sharing your location (including elevation), the answers to the emergency questionnaire, important details like your medical ID and emergency contact information (if you have them set up), and the amount of battery life left in your device.
Additional messages may ask you things such as where you are or whether you are taking any medications.
A window at the top of the screen displays the status of your messages and your satellite connection. Your communications are received by emergency dispatchers, who reply via SMS. Apple has established relay centers with operators that act as a go-between for you and emergency dispatch in the event that your local emergency services do not accept text messages.
Which iPhone models are compatible with satellite-based emergency SOS?
The service will start to be accessible on:
The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus
Pro and Max versions of the iPhone 15
iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 14
A guy on a secluded slope with an iPhone 14 Pro
One of the most significant features to be released on any phone this year may be Emergency SOS.
CNET/Kevin Heinz
Can I use satellite to test Emergency SOS?
Sort of, yes. Apple developed a demo mode that enables you to connect your iPhone to a satellite without making a call or dialing 911. With the exception of not calling emergency services, the experience is almost exactly the same as what I had.
Go outdoors and choose Settings to launch the demo. The demo may then be tried by tapping Emergency SOS and scrolling to the bottom.
You may preview the emergency inquiry and switch off your cellular connection during the Emergency SOS via Satellite demo. Once again, however, it’s not really calling emergency services.
An iPhone 14 displaying the option for demo mode
Apple created a demo mode that enables a real satellite connection.
CNET/Kevin Heinz
The demonstration then shows you how to locate a satellite. If you ever need the function, it’s a nice way to become acquainted with it. (In addition, it’s cool to link your iPhone to a satellite.)
How can I use a satellite to communicate my location?
Sharing your position with friends and family without sending them a message is another method to utilize satellite connection on your iPhone.
Tap the Me tab in the Find My app. My Location via Satellite is a new section that appears when you expand the tab. Press “Send My Location.” A popup to locate and connect to a satellite will appear. This specific step took minutes to transmit my position during my satellite Emergency SOS attempt at Apple Park.
An iPhone 14 displaying the Find My app’s Share Location feature
Using a satellite in the Find My app is a convenient method to communicate your position when you’re not within cell signal range.
Where can I utilize satellite-based emergency SOS?
It is now accessible in 16 nations, including Canada and the United States (including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands). Visitors to the US and Canada may also use emergency SOS service, unless they purchased their iPhone 14 or 15 in China, Hong Kong, or Macao.
Can I use satellite for emergency SOS indoors?
No. Your iPhone and the satellite must be in direct line of sight when you are outdoors. In addition to large buildings, mountains, thick vegetation, and other items that might obstruct satellite communication, the service is inoperable inside. You may locate and connect to a satellite with the aid of the Emergency SOS interface.
How much does satellite-based emergency SOS cost?
For two years, the service is free. Beyond that, Apple has not disclosed the price or if using the function would ever be paid for. Apple offered iPhone 14 customers a free one-year extension of the service in November 2023.
Is satellite connection available on the iPhone 14 and 15?
Indeed. Like all iPhone 15 devices, all iPhone 14 models feature Emergency SOS via satellite.
An employee of Globalstar operating a ground base unit from a ladder
An employee of Globalstar operates a ground station that relays satellite communications to emergency dispatchers.
Apple
Which satellites are used for satellite-based emergency SOS?
Apple collaborated with Globalstar, a satellite telecommunications firm with offices around the United States and its headquarters located in Covington, Louisiana. The function makes advantage of the low-orbit satellite network operated by Globalstar.
In order to make vital improvements to Globalstar’s satellite network and ground stations, Apple invested $450 million. The new service is supported by around 300 people at Globalstar.
Is it possible to utilize an iPhone as a satellite phone?
Both yes and no. When a call cannot be made, the iPhone 14 and 15 models may connect to satellites and text emergency services. The Find My app also allows you to share your position via satellite. But unlike a specialized satellite phone, you can’t use any iPhone to make calls.
Is it possible to utilize the iPhone 13 as a satellite phone?
No, only the iPhone 14 and 15 models have emergency satellite communication.
Is a certain iPhone a satellite phone?
In theory, none of them are satellite phones, however as a last option, the iPhone 14 and 15 series allow texting emergency services via satellites.