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Apple introduced the ability to send and receive text messages via satellite last year, but now it wants to expand these features with 5G support and more.
What do you do when your smartphone already feels like a Swiss Army knife of technology? If you’re Apple, you don’t look down — you look up. Way up.
After turning the iPhone into a literal lifeline with satellite-powered SOS in 2022 and expanding that reach in 2024, Apple is once again setting its sights beyond Earth’s atmosphere. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company’s next big leap for the iPhone is written in the stars — quite literally — with even more satellite-driven features on the horizon.
Apple’s first step toward the skies wasn’t just about innovation. It was about survival.
The company began its journey into the stars by adding emergency SOS functionality — accessible via satellite — to the iPhone 14 in 2022. With a bit of luck, most users would never have to use this option. However, according to Gurman’s reporting, the new feature makes it possible to send emergency SOS messages from nearly anywhere in the world… and you don’t even need cell service for it to work.
If you suddenly find yourself without a signal during an emergency situation, start by ensuring you have a clear view of the sky and horizon. Once a connection is established, you’ll be able to access a messaging interface that connects directly to emergency service providers.
Although communication is a little slower with satellite connectivity, Apple automatically compresses messages to reduce their file size and speed up the process. The service also includes a series of introductory questions that can further expedite the process.
Apple developers expanded the iPhone’s satellite functionality with the release of iOS 18 in 2024. Before this, satellite connectivity was limited to emergency SOS messages only. However, after last year’s update, these features were expanded to include personal texts and Tapbacks.
An official statement by Apple reads, in part: “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.”
While Apple hasn’t added any new satellite-driven features to the iPhone since 2024, recent industry reports suggest that the tech giant is interested in expanding this functionality to include the ability to send images alongside text messages. Developers also want to leverage 5G NTN support to use spaceborne satellites that can boost cell tower coverage back on Earth.
Apple’s development team also wants to make it easier for you to connect to its satellite network in the first place. Look for future improvements that enable satellite connectivity in places where you don’t have a clear view of the sky — like indoors or within heavily forested areas. Apple is also creating an API, allowing other developers to enable their own software to work via satellite.
While we don’t have a release date for this new functionality, upcoming features are often leaked months or even years in advance. Users have no choice but to stick with basic text messages via satellite for now, as the improved functionality is likely still a year or two away.
If you found this article interesting, you’ll definitely want to check out this one on TechRepublic about Apple exploring a $1 billion deal with Google to revamp Siri with the Gemini AI model.
J.R. Johnivan is a technology writer and computer repair professional with 20 years of experience. His work explores emerging technologies, including next-generation LLMs, their societal impact, and how they can improve professional workflows. He began writing while studying computer networking, eventually combining his passion for technology with a career in content. He also brings expertise in project management, HR, and CRM software, giving him a practical, business-focused perspective on today’s tech landscape.
