Apple’s iPhone 14 series brings SOS functionality via satellite. This important feature, initially rolling out in the US and Canada, should arrive in France soon. So, learn how to activate and use Satellite SOS on your iPhone.
The Satellite Emergency SOS feature on iPhone 14 lets you contact emergency services even when there’s no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage available in the area. This is made possible by new chips linked to low-orbit satellites. For this tutorial, our team simulated testing in Hawaii during the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 launch keynote.
Last but not least, this feature is only available in countries where the service is readily available. Additionally, you’ll need an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max. On top of that, you have to be outside to connect directly to the satellite.
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How to Use Emergency SOS via Satellite on iPhone 14
Hope you found this tutorial before you needed it. The first thing to know is that it is not possible to test functions with virtual calls. However, Apple anticipated this problem and made a demo directly on iOS 16, so that everyone can familiarize themselves with the operation steps.
So, below we show you how to access a demo that explains satellite SOS operations so you know what to do if needed:
- Opensettings app
- Enter SOS
- scroll down to Satellite SOS
- according to try demo
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to the satellite
Once connected to the satellite, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the interface and functions, such as describing the scene and sharing your location. Pre-configuring medical IDs and emergency contacts from Settings also helps responders by streamlining the process.
Apple provides emergency SOS demos via satellite, so you can prepare ahead of time for any type of situation. / © kwgeek
How to share your location, your medical files and more
In practice, you do not need to perform these steps. Satellite Emergency SOS will prioritize cellular and Wi-Fi calls and only initiate the satellite connection if the first two are not available via the button satellite emergency text on the call screen.
For a real-world use case of this feature, the UI you will see is very similar to what we show in the image Apple shared below, and you will need to follow these steps:
- make an emergency call Even without network coverage
- Since your phone cannot be reached, Press satellite emergency text button. (Alternatively go directly to the Messaging app and text 911 or SOS)
- according to report an emergency
- You’ll then be presented with a series of questions, and you can simply press a button to choose the answer that best fits your situation.
- important: You also have the option to notify your emergency contacts that you have contacted emergency services, as well as your location and the nature of the emergency.
- Then continue to follow the on-screen instructions to stay connected while sending a message to emergency services
1. Call emergency services, press the emergency text button via satellite as your phone is out of reach © Apple
2. You will be presented with several questions and you must choose the answer that best suits your situation with a simple tap © Apple
3. To send a distress message, you need to keep pointing your device in the direction of the satellite © kwgeek
To protect your privacy, Apple advertises that Satellite Emergency SOS text messages are encrypted. But it’s also “decrypted by Apple for transmission to the relevant emergency services dispatcher or emergency relay center.”
Countries where satellite emergency services are available
Apple rolled out the feature in the US and Canada earlier this month. It is expected to launch in other countries including the UK and France in December 2022. Here is the full list of countries that will (will) provide SOS satellite signals:
nation | availability |
---|---|
U.S. | November 2022 |
Canada | November 2022 |
Germany | December 2022 |
France | December 2022 |
U.K. | December 2022 |
Ireland | December 2022 |
Also note that only Latin characters (such as English or French) are supported in these messages. Until November 29th, the feature is only available in US English, US Spanish, and Canadian French.
How much does the satellite emergency service cost?
Satellite SOS is currently free on all iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models. After activating your iPhone, you can use the service for free for two years. After the free period expires, Apple has not revealed the price.
Also, aside from messaging, we don’t yet know if Apple will add new possibilities like sending images, as Samsung plans to announce with the Galaxy S23.
What other features do you think Apple should add to continue improving the Satellite Emergency SOS functionality?