Apple has been gradually expanding its suite of satellite connectivity features for iPhone, and iOS 18 brings an important new feature in the form of Messages via Satellite. This feature allows users to send and receive iMessages and SMS texts, including emojis and Tapbacks, even when out of range of cellular and Wi-Fi networks.
CNET This week we caught up with Kurt Knight, Apple's senior director of platform product marketing, to get an early, first look at how the feature works. iJustine also provided a similar explanation.
When your phone detects that you're out of range of a terrestrial network, you'll see a pop-up notification giving you quick access to all available satellite assistance services, including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Find My, and Messages.
Messages via satellite can be accessed directly from the Messages app even when off-air, and iOS pops up a card to help point your iPhone to available satellites. It works like a regular Messages conversation here, allowing you to send and receive messages, emojis, and Tapbacks. Chat messages sent through iMessage are end-to-end encrypted, even when transmitted via satellite.
While iMessages can be sent and received freely over satellite, there are limitations to SMS due to the amount of promotional and automated messages delivered over that protocol. Your emergency contacts and designated family members can contact you via SMS at any time, but for all other contacts, you will need to send their first SMS message via satellite, after which they will have some time to respond.
Notably, despite Rich Communication Services (RCS) support expected in iOS 18 later this year, messaging via satellite will not initially work with RCS. Knight says the RCS protocol has not yet been optimized for a size small enough to work over satellite connections, at least as far as Apple is concerned.
Like Apple's other satellite services, Messages via Satellite will initially launch only in the US with iOS 18 and expand to other countries later. Apple's satellite service works on iPhone 14 and later, and although Apple has said it will eventually charge for satellite service, it's still offering it for free for the time being.