Traditional calls and texts rely on nearby cell towers or WiFi networks. If both of those are unavailable, your phone normally becomes nothing more than a flashlight and a camera.
Newer phones, however, can use built-in hardware and software to connect directly to low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Instead of reaching sideways to a tower, your phone sends a narrow signal upward to a satellite passing overhead.
In most cases, satellite connectivity is designed primarily for:
- Emergency SOS calls or messages
- Sharing your location with emergency services or trusted contacts
- Basic status updates (e.g., “I’m safe,” “I need help,” “Car broken down”)
Don’t expect full-speed internet, social media, or streaming. Satellite links on phones are optimized for short, critical messages, not everyday browsing.
How To Connect an iPhone to Satellites
NOTE: Satellite connection is only available on iPhone 14 or later. Earlier models do not have this feature, even with software updates.
Step 1: Open the Connection Assistant
There are two common ways to open the satellite Connection Assistant on supported iPhones:
- Using Control Center
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
- Tap the Cellular button (it looks like a vertical pole with signal arcs radiating from the top).
- Select “Satellite” when it appears.
- Choose what you need:
- Send a message
- Update your location
- Request roadside assistance (where available)
- Send an SOS to emergency services
- Through Emergency / SOS prompts
In some situations, if your iPhone detects you have no cell network and no WiFi, it will automatically prompt you to use satellite when you attempt to place an emergency call or send an SOS.
Step 2: Move to a Good Location
Satellite connection is very different from regular cell service. For the best chance of connecting:
- Go outside if at all possible.
- Find a spot with a clear view of the sky and horizon.
- Avoid tall obstructions like buildings, dense trees, cliffs, or tunnels.
Your iPhone may show on-screen guidance, such as arrows or instructions like “Move to the left” or “Keep pointing at satellite” to help you hold the phone in the right direction as the satellite moves.
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