iOS 18’s satellite messaging is a game changer

With iPhone 14, Apple introduced a new way to communicate: Emergency SOS via Satellite. With it, you can contact emergency services even when you have no signal. The feature guides you through how to connect your iPhone to the nearest satellite above, and once connected, allows you to contact help (albeit, much more limited and slowly than usual).

It’s a fantastic safety feature, both for those frequenting areas with low cell coverage and in emergencies when cell service is unavailable. But that last point is really the feature’s main weakness: it’s only available for emergencies. If you have no service AND you’re completely safe, you can’t just use the feature to send a message to a friend or family member to sign up. If you don’t want to involve the police in your update, you’ll just have to wait until you’re back within range of a cell signal or wifi.

Messages via satellite

That changes with iOS 18: Apple’s upcoming operating system (currently in beta testing) includes an update to its satellite communications feature. When it falls, you will be able to send, via satellite, any messages, not just emergency ones. So when you happen to be completely out of service, not only can you send an update letting people know you’re fine, but you can carry on with your conversations as you normally would.

When it comes to iMessage, almost nothing about the experience is compromised. You will be able to send AND receive messages, emojis and tapbacks (reactions such as “well done” or “Ha Ha”). Plus, all your messages are still end-to-end encrypted, so there’s no security breach using satellites to relay your messages versus cell towers or the Internet. You don’t need to do anything special to enable the feature, either: Once your iPhone loses a network connection and switches to “SOS only,” you’ll see a notification on the lock screen inviting you to send messages via the satellite. However, you don’t even need to touch this alert. Just start typing a message, and if there’s no service, your iPhone will automatically send it via satellite.

You’ll know this is happening because there will be a “Satellite” label next to the “iMessage” label in the text field in your theme. You can also be informed because some messages can take a long time to be sent and received, as they are first transmitted to a satellite before being sent to their destination. As with Emergency SOS via Satellite, iOS will guide you in pointing your iPhone to the nearest satellite above. You’ll need a clear view of the sky, with few (if any) tall obstructions, including trees and buildings. However, assuming the conditions are correct, you will be able to send messages.

iMessages will come in automatically, even via satellite, so while you may not catch up on messages as quickly as usual, they’ll all arrive eventually. However, SMS messages will only work if you initiate the conversation: If an Android friend texts you while you’re out of service, for example, you won’t receive it. But if you send a message, you will get their direct reply.

Unfortunately, the feature does not support RCS, the iOS 18 messaging protocol that is finally being adopted. While a little disappointing, the feature itself is so cool that I can completely overlook the release of RCS. Lack of service is no longer a barrier to losing communication. You won’t be driving down a remote road and getting a barrage of lost iMessages once you reconnect to the service: Those messages will still show up on your iPhone after they’ve been sent. You can take a trip somewhere without internet and still be able to give people updates about your experience.

Of course, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys these little breaks from society, there’s always the foolproof solution: turning off your iPhone altogether.