Apple Shows Off iPhone’s Upcoming Satellite Messages Feature in First Look

Google is currently working on adding satellite messaging support to Android phones, but it’s not the only company focusing on this technology. Apple is also working on its own solution called Messages via Satellite. The Cupertino-based company is far enough along in its progress to start holding previews.

Satellite Messaging is one of the many features that will arrive with iOS 18. This won’t be the first satellite messaging feature for the iPhone, as it already has Emergency SOS. However, Emergency SOS only allows you to contact emergency services. Satellite Messages, on the other hand, further extends this technology to allow the user to send and receive texts, including emoji and Tapbacks, via satellite to friends and family via Messages.

Apple guest CNET be one of the first to try the new feature. In a discussion with Kurt Knight, Apple’s senior director of platform product marketing, Knight explains that users will receive a notification when their iPhone detects that it is in a dead zone. Tapping on the notification brings up all the different satellite services available, such as Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Find My and now Messages.

Users will also be able to access messages via satellite in the Messages app. If you’re out of range of terrestrial networks, you’ll be greeted by a map that appears at the top of the screen when you open the app. All you have to do is tap “Connect to Satellite” and the messages will work as usual. It is important to note that conversations remain end-to-end encrypted when using the satellite service.

Knight says the feature supports SMS, but not RCS at this time. According to Knight, this is because RCS is not optimized to be small enough to work with the service.

Although the feature allows you to text freely in dead zones, it is not without limitations. The service is designed in a way that allows you to message anyone, your friends and emergency contacts can also message you freely. However, with other contacts, you will need to send an SMS message first, which will allow those other contacts to respond for a while.

Message via Satellite will be available for iPhone 14 and later and will arrive first in the United States. Currently the feature is free, but it has been indicated that Apple may start charging for the service in the future.