Network and connectivity
Satellite features
Most people call this getting help with no signal at all.
On supported iPhones, and in supported countries, you can reach emergency services, roadside assistance or messaging over satellite when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
Whether you see this depends on your country and carrier.
- Which satellite services are offered depends on your country
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 16 and later
- Settings
- Apps
- Messages
- Satellite
Emergency SOS via satellite starts from the emergency call screen rather than from Settings.
What it does
The phone guides you to point at a satellite and sends a compressed message. What is offered varies by country: emergency SOS, roadside assistance, Messages and Find My location sharing are all separate services.
What changes
When it is on
Not applicable. It activates when you need it and no other connection exists.
When it is off
Not applicable.
Should you turn it on?
Battery
No real change
Privacy
No real change
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Available automatically on supported hardware in supported countries.
What your iPhone needs
- Needs an iPhone 14 or later
- Which satellite services are offered depends on your country
Questions people actually ask
- Does my iPhone have satellite SOS?
- It arrived with the iPhone 14 generation, in supported countries. Choose your model above and this page will tell you.
If it is not working
- Use the built in demo to practise pointing at a satellite before you need it.
- It needs a clear view of the sky, away from trees and buildings.
- Which services are offered depends entirely on your country.