Starting in iOS 18, Messages via satellite can help you connect with your friends and family*, even when you’re off the grid — somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. You can send and receive texts, emojis, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS.
To connect to a satellite, you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon.
Learn how to connect to a satellite with your iPhone
Messages via satellite is available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. It's free for two years after the activation of an iPhone 14 or later (all models).
*Messages via satellite shouldn't be used in emergencies. If you're somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage and in an emergency situation, you should instead text emergency services using Emergency SOS via satellite.
When you use Messages via satellite, iMessages are end-to-end encrypted, so that only you and the person that you’re messaging with can read them while they’re in transit between devices.
Here are some ways to be prepared:
Try the Satellite Connection demo — To learn how to connect to a satellite, open the Settings app > Apps > Messages, then tap Satellite Connection Demo.
Turn on iMessage — To use iMessage via satellite, you need to turn on iMessage before you’re off the grid.
Set up an emergency contact and set up Family Sharing — When you’re off the grid, your emergency contacts and members of your Family Sharing group can message you via SMS without you messaging them first. When you connect to a satellite, you’ll receive their messages. Additionally, your emergency contact (along with your location and a transcript of your messages with emergency services) will be automatically shared with emergency responders if you use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services.
Encourage your contacts to update their iPhone — To receive iMessages via satellite, your contact needs to have iOS 18 or later. To reply to SMS messages via satellite, your contact needs to have iOS 17.6 or later or a non-Apple device.
When your iPhone detects that you’re off the grid, it alerts you — on the Lock Screen, you get a prompt that you can send and receive messages via satellite. Otherwise, you get a notification to Use Messages via Satellite when you open the Messages app.
When you connect to satellite, you’ll also see the option to text emergency services using Emergency SOS via satellite, get help with car troubles using Roadside Assistance via satellite, and share your location using Find My via satellite (where these services are available).
To send a message, just open the Messages app — you’ll be prompted to start accepting messages, if you haven't already, and your iPhone provides instructions to connect to a satellite to send a text. If you have iPhone 14 Pro or later, the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen has indicator dots that show the strength of your connection and, if your connection could be improved, arrows that direct you to turn left or right. You can tap the Dynamic Island to open Connection Assistant for more help.
When you connect and start accepting messages via satellite, you'll receive any SMS messages that were sent from your emergency contact or members of your Family Sharing group before you started accepting messages via satellite. You won't receive iMessages until your emergency contact or family member returns to the conversation and taps Send via Satellite underneath their message bubble.
Messages sent via satellite might take a little longer to send. In ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and horizon, a message might take 30 seconds to send. It might take over a minute to send under light or medium foliage. You might not be able to connect to a satellite under heavy foliage or if you’re surrounded by other obstructions.
Some Messages features aren’t supported when using a satellite connection. You can’t send or receive photos or videos, audio messages, stickers, or messages in a group message.
If you can’t send an iMessage via satellite, you can use SMS messaging via satellite*. This might happen if your contact has an older version of iOS, uses a non-Apple device, or if you haven't sent them an iMessage recently.
Learn more about using Messages via satellite
*SMS messaging via satellite availability depends on carrier. Carrier fees may apply. Check with your carrier for details.
When you're off the grid, you can also find satellite features through the Connection Assistant:
In Control Center: Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, then tap the Cellular button on the right. Tap Satellite, then choose Messages via satellite (or another satellite feature).
In the Settings app: Open Settings, then tap Satellite and choose Messages via satellite (or another satellite feature).
If you have cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, the Satellite option in Settings won't appear and the Satellite option in Control Center opens the Satellite Connection Demo.
If you have cellular or Wi-Fi coverage and you’re messaging with someone who is using Messages via satellite:
In iMessage conversations, you see an alert that your contact is accepting messages via satellite.
After you tap send, you need to also tap Send via Satellite underneath the message bubble.
If you’re an emergency contact or a member of a Family Sharing group, you can send an SMS message before your contact sends you a message via satellite. They'll receive the message once they start accepting messages via satellite.
An iPhone 14 or later (all models)1
The minimum required version of iOS:
U.S., Canada, Japan: iOS 18 or later
Mexico: iOS 18.4 or later
An active SIM
To use iMessage via satellite, you need to turn on iMessage before you're outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. To use SMS messaging via satellite, your carrier must support it.
The United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan.
Availability in other regions is subject to regulation by government agencies, necessary approvals, and other market specific requirements. Apple is working to bring these capabilities to more regions as soon as possible.
Satellite connectivity isn’t offered on iPhone models purchased in Armenia, Belarus, China mainland, Kazakhstan, and Russia. For iPhone models purchased in Hong Kong and Macao, satellite connectivity is offered only on iPhone 16e and later.
Satellite network for Apple features provided by Globalstar, Inc. and its affiliates or third-party network providers.
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