Smartphones Add 2-Year Satellite Messaging for Off-Grid Texts
Updated
Updated · MUO - MakeUseOf · Jul 29
Smartphones Add 2-Year Satellite Messaging for Off-Grid Texts
3 articles · Updated · MUO - MakeUseOf · Jul 29
Summary
iPhone 14-and-newer models and recent Android phones can now send texts without a cell tower, giving users a fallback for remote areas and emergencies.
Apple offers the feature on iOS 18 through Globalstar, while Google uses Skylo and T-Mobile works with Starlink; messages require open sky and can take 30 to 60 seconds to send.
The service supports more than basic SMS on some devices — iPhones can send iMessages, emojis and Tapbacks — but recipients may need compatible software or hardware.
In the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Japan, phone makers typically include satellite messaging free for the first 2 years, while carriers such as Verizon and T-Mobile also offer their own plans.
The feature remains limited for everyday use, but carriers also position it as a disaster-backup link when terrestrial cellular networks fail.