Technology
iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 Users Get an Extra Year of Free Satellite Connectivity for Emergencies
Satellite Connectivity for Emergencies
The iPhone 14 series introduced support for communication over satellite connectivity, though the feature is reserved for emergencies. Available in select markets, Emergency SOS via satellite lets you connect to first responders even when you lack Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity access. The feature can save lives and has been put to good use soon after Apple brought it to market.
Reports of Success
We saw several reports detailing cases where satellite connectivity turned out to be the key feature that helped people connect with emergency responders. Like iPhone 14 owners stranded in the wild or people trying to escape a wildfire.
Extra Year of Support
Apple made Emergency SOS via satellite free for two years with iPhone 14 purchases. The same goes for the iPhone 15 models, by the way. It turns out that Apple is ready to offer users an extra free year of support for satellite communications. While I hope I’ll never have to use the feature, that’s still amazing news.
Availability and Impact
Apple said in a press release that Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in 16 countries and regions. The iPhone maker adds that the tech has made a "significant impact, contributing to many lives being saved."
Testimonials from Apple
Furthermore, Apple shared this comment from Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, Kaiann Drance, which mentions some instances where people used Emergency SOS via satellite:
Emergency SOS via satellite has helped save lives around the world. From a man who was rescued after his car plummeted over a 400-foot cliff in Los Angeles, to lost hikers found in the Apennine Mountains in Italy, we continue to hear stories of our customers being able to connect with emergency responders when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to We are so happy iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users can take advantage of this groundbreaking service for two more years for free.
How to Use Emergency SOS via Satellite
To use Emergency SOS via Satellite, you need an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 running iOS 16.1 or later. The service is available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.
Try the Demo
It’s a good idea to try the Emergency SOS via satellite demo available in the iPhone’s setting app to see what using the feature will feel like. Hopefully, you’ll never have to need the feature. But if you do, you’d better know how the feature works and what to expect from it. To start, look for the Emergency SOS menu in the settings app and then scroll to find the satellite demo.
What About Android Users?
As for Android users, Qualcomm recently terminated the contract with Iridium, the satellite company that would have provided similar services on Android. It’s unclear what Android device vendors will want to replicate Emergency SOS via satellite on their devices. Or when it’s supposed to happen.
Hey there! I’m William Cooper, your go-to guy for all things travel at iMagazineDaily. I’m 39, living the dream in Oshkosh, WI, and I can’t get enough of exploring every corner of this amazing world. I’ve got this awesome gig where I blog about my travel escapades, and let me tell you, it’s never a dull moment! When I’m not busy typing away or editing some cool content, I’m out there in the city, living it up and tasting every crazy delicious thing I can find. Join me on this wild ride of adventures and stories, right here at iMagazineDaily. Trust me, it’s going to be a blast! 🌍✈️🍴