You No Longer Need a Satellite Phone If You Have An iPhone 14 or Later

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LDHunter

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I just found about this feature on new iPhones version 14 or later and mine is a 15.

You can use satellites for texting if you update to iOS 18 which was released last week. It's an update you have to look for. Here's how....

Go to updates and look below the current update and it might say "other updates available" and click on 18. You might have to look for it like I did.

Here's a bulletin from Apple on how to use it.

Connect to a satellite with your iPhone - Apple Support

With iPhone 14 or later (all models), you can connect your iPhone to a satellite to text emergency services, request roadside assistance, message friends and family, and share your location — all while you're off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
Its a nice feature to have but doesn't replace a satellite communicator for many purposes. Mostly because your cell phone isn't nearly as durable as a proper communicator, plenty of things can damage or disable it. It can't be worn in an accessible location on the exterior of your pack like you'd want for an emergency beacon and the battery will be used much more quickly. I'd rather save the phone for primary mapping (with a physical backup), as a backup ballistics calculator, and for leisure/fun without worrying about it being my only emergency communication device. Particularly on multi-day hunts where battery may be an issue. I carry a 5000mAh battery pack but that still only gets me through a week using my phone occasionally
 
Supposedly Elon Musk's Starlink has teamed up with T-Mobile to offer satellite phone service by the end of the year. Your regular phone will be able to be used anywhere in the world. Until now satellite phones weren't able to be used indoors, Word is they have cracked that nut. All those Starlink satellites will work like cellphone towers.
 

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