Apple’s emergency satellite service is free for another year — here’s how to use it

20.11.2023 - 19:51 / thepointsguy.com

If something goes wrong when you're off the grid, getting help is just a tap away on Apple's latest devices.

Apple announced last week that it would make Emergency SOS via Satellite free for another full year for iPhone 14 users.

Originally, the service was only supposed to be free for two years after activating your eligible iPhone 14, but Apple has extended that window for iPhone 14 users to three years.

Any iPhone 15 users who recently purchased one of the new devices will have two years from the time of activation to use the Emergency SOS service without a charge.

Emergency SOS via Satellite requires any iPhone 14 or 15 model that's running iOS 16.4 or later. This includes the following phone models:

Related: Why the new iPhone 14 Pro is a game changer for travelers

The service works regardless of where you purchased your device, even if satellite connectivity hasn't (yet) launched in your home country. The only exceptions are iPhones purchased in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as a few other countries listed here.

Unfortunately, older Apple smartphones won't be able to communicate with satellites. The required communications hardware was only added to the iPhone 14 (and 15) lineup.

Satellite service is available in the following countries:

While I'll run through a step-by-step guide to using the feature below, two very important use cases could come in handy for many travelers.

Traditionally, if you didn't have access to a cellphone signal or a Wi-Fi network, your smartphone would be completely disconnected from people back home.

But, with the addition of satellite connectivity, all you need is a clear view of the sky and some patience to get in touch with help. (Establishing a strong satellite connection can sometimes take a few minutes.)

Whether you're camping somewhere remote, driving through backcountry roads or hiking in a national park, your iPhone 14 or 15 will be able to communicate with first responders using satellites in the case of an emergency.

Even if you don't need emergency help, Apple's new satellite service can help reassure loved ones back home that everything is OK.

While you can't make calls or send text messages using Apple's satellite connectivity, you can upload your current location to the Find My app when you're off the grid. This feature should be especially useful for those exploring remote locations or those trekking outdoors who want to provide location updates to friends and family members.

To help power the feature, Apple is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in Globalstar, a multinational satellite service based in Covington, Louisiana. When you activate the feature, you'll connect to one of the company's 24 satellites in low-Earth orbit