Apple today launched its exciting new Emergency SOS via satellite feature for the iPhone 14 lineup in the United States and Canada. Alongside the launch, the tech giant announced that the feature will be expanded to additional countries next month.
Apple launches Emergency SOS via satellite in the United States and Canada
Apple’s latest iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro feature satellite connectivity which allows users to access Emergency SOS via satellite without cellular or Wi-Fi. This means that Emergency SOS via satellite allows users to send messages and make phone calls without any signals present, allowing them to contact emergency responders as soon as possible.
In a press release announcing the launch of the feature in the United States and Canada, Apple revealed that Emergency SOS via satellite will be expanded to four additional countries next month: France, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
When using the feature, your iPhone will front-load a few important questions to assess your situation. It will then show you when to point your device in order to connect to a satellite. If your situation is time-sensitive and you need to reach emergency-service providers as soon as possible, Apple says the “initial questionnaire and follow-up messages are then relayed to centers staffed by Apple‑trained specialists who can call for help on the user’s behalf.”
In addition to this, the connectivity also allows users to manually share their location with Apple’s Find My network without the requirement of cellular or Wi-Fi. This will especially prove useful for users who are hiking or camping in areas where cellular coverage is spotty due to a lack of cellular towers, allowing them to feel more secure.
As of right now, the feature has been rolled out in the US and Canada and iPhone 14 users can access it if their device is running iOS 16.1. Apple has previously revealed that Emergency SOS via satellite will be free for two years. It is unclear how much it will cost after the two years are up.
Read more:
- Apple invested $450 million to make Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone 14 series possible
- Globalstar commits 85% of its network to Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite safety feature
- Elon Musk says Starlink had “promising conversations” with Apple about iPhone 14 Emergency SOS via satellite partnership
