What you need to know about the satellite connection in the phones

When you hear the phrase “Satlette”, your mind may evoke a mobile brutal image directly from the spy movie. Usually, traditional space phones are huge and utilitarian, usually required in remote sites where cellular networks are not available. Nowadays, satellite connectivity can be found in regular smartphones as well, thanks to the innovations of new devices and unique partnerships with satellite network providers.

They cannot completely replace traditional satellite phones, but in the event of an emergency, this feature can be the real savior. This type of communication has already proven useful to save people from Hurricane Milton and Helenthe Latest forest fires in Los Angeles and Fifted fires in Maui. There are also many cases reported to save the text messages feature in emergency situations Missing wanders. Although satellite connectivity is not in every phone at the present time, it is clear that there is a real need for that, and do not be surprised to see more of this feature in the coming years.

What is the satellite connection in phones?

If the phone has satellite connection, it can contact the satellite when you do not have a cellular signal. This feature appeared for the first time in iPhone from Apple In 2022 and since then it was combined into subsequent iPhone devices as well as some Android phones such as Google’s Pixel 9 and Samsung’s Galaxy S25. Some phones have a satellite connection regardless of the carrier for a period of time (such as modern iPhone and pixels 9), while others need a specific transportation company due to partnerships and devices compatibility (such as Galaxy S25 phones in Verizon).

Apple provides satellite connection in partnership with Globalstar, its subsidiaries and third -party network providers. However, Apple does not provide satellite connection in the models purchased in Armenia, Belarus, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Kazakhstan or Russia. Google has made a partnership with Skylo satellite service, which is currently currently working in Continental Us and Pixel 9 devices.

Many American transport companies recently started providing satellite communication. Verizon, for example, has Share with skylo To provide a satellite messaging service for specific phones that support satellites such as Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9. T-Mobile, on the other hand, he has Share with Spaces’s StarlinkAnd that uses “direct to the cell” technology that does not require the phone to have a specialized satellite modem.

Regardless of the type of satellite connection your phone owns, you still need an important thing to work properly: communicate with the satellite. It is not only these satellites hundreds of miles away in space, but they also rotate on Earth at a rapid pace. You definitely need to be outside to get the best satellite connection. You also want a direct view of the sky and be away from long trees or heavy foliage. Even so, the message may take 30 seconds or more to send depending on the rest of your surroundings, the length of the message and the state of the satellite network.

How can I use the satellite connection?

The most obvious benefit for satellite communication in phones is SOS messages. Apple is called SOS in emergency situations, while Google SOS SOS SOS is called. As the names indicate, these services allow you to contact the emergency sending when you don’t have a phone signal. Apple has also added other satellite connections related to its iPhone, such as the satellite side satellite assistance and sending the site via the satellite (via Find My Meate).

In 2024, Apple added messages via the satellite feature to iOS 18 that allows sending Imssages or SMS messages and receiving them by the satellite to anyone, not just emergency services. It supports the expression of symbols expression, sympathetic cooperation for educational symbols, Tapbacks, IMessage and screen effects, but you cannot send or receive photos or videos, and do not support group chats. The recipient must also have iOS 18 or the latest to receive IMESSAGAS (respond to the SMS via satellite message requires iOS 17.6 or later or a non -Apple phone). This works regardless of the carrier you use for your phone.

Verizon customers who have either Galaxy S25 or Pixel 9 can send and receive text messages via satellite to any device, along with SOS emergency services. Those who use the Starlink service for T-Mobile, called T-Satellite, can send and receive messages to anyone as well. Currently, video messages, voice calls and data are not supported, but T-Mobile is not supported to add them soon.

One of the interesting aspects in particular in T-Satellite is that it is open not only to T-Mobile customers but also other transport companies as well. The service is free at the present time during the experimental trial period, but once the full service is launched in July, it will remain free for T-Mobile customers on Next Go5G or try more plans. Otherwise, T-Satellite is $ 10 per month for T-Mobile customers on other plans, as well as for Verizon and AT & T customers.

From writing these lines, Verizon offers free satellite messaging service. Apple and Google said they will provide their satellite services for free during the first two years. It is unclear what is happening after that, but Apple has already been Satellite service extended to iPhone 14 owners.

How do I know if my phone has a satellite connection?

Until this lines are written, phones come only a little bit with compact satinate connection. In the United States, this includes iPhone 14 and GULEER, Pixel 9 series in addition to the Galaxy S25. Modern iPhone and Pixel 9 series can connect to satellites when you lose your connection to the cellular network, while Galaxy S25 requires a transport company like Verizon. Pixel 9 can also use satellite service in Verizon. These phones come with specialized devices and satellite models that enable satellite connectivity directly from bats.

Thanks to the T-Mobile Partnership with Starlink, more satellite phones can have even on the existing devices. Starlink Satellite Satellite Satellite is compatible with T-Mobile (also known as T-Satellite) with “Satellite Optimized” phones such as iPhone 14 and Series Pixel 9, Motorola Razer Zaid 2024the Galaxy S24 And the most recent, and Galaxy A36 Series, and Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6. In this case, “satellite improvement” means simply the ability to communicate smoothly with the satellite in the absence of a cellular network.

You will know that your phone has a satellite connection if you can find the “satellite” option in the settings or control center, usually when you are out of Wi-Fi or cover the cellular network. There is often a satellite symbol or “SAT” symbol where the cell symbol will be.

Can I use the satellite connection while there is a cellular signal?

No, you can generally get a connection via satellite and cellular at the same time. The satellite connection is designed to use as a reserve when the Wi-Fi network or cellular networks is not available.

What are the limits of satellite connection?

Currently, the satellite connects to text messages, with no support for multimedia, voice calls or data. As we mentioned earlier, there are also possible physical restrictions to confront them. If you are inside or under heavy foliage or do not have a clear line of the sky, the satellite connection may be a problem. There is also a lack of coverage in the water off the coast.

Update, May 7: T-Satellite is free for T-Mobile customers on the next Go5G or try more plans and $ 10 per month for other users on other T-Mobile plans, Verizon and AT & T.