Back in November 2022, Apple introduced satellite connectivity on the iPhone 14 series. Initially, it was a free service for two years. Now, Apple has made a surprise announcement that all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users can have the service free until at least November 2026.
The Emergency SOS via satellite service introduced the capability to send messages to emergency services when you’re in trouble but out of cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. The system, which is being extended to Apple Watch 3 users shortly, also meant you could share your location, and was later expanded so text messages could be sent when you’re off the grid.
All iPhones from iPhone 14 onwards automatically get free access to Emergency SOS for two years from activation. But while that should have meant early adopters could have seen the service end in 2024, Apple announced an extension for iPhone 14 users in 2023.
That means the service could stop for some users in November 2025.
However, buried in the notes in its Newsroom post about the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple had an update.
“Apple is extending free access to satellite features for an additional year for existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users. The free trial will be extended for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users who have activated their device in a country that supports Apple’s satellite features prior to 12 a.m. PT on September 9, 2025,” it said.
Which means that for all iPhone users with an iPhone 14 series, iPhone 15 series and iPhone 16 series (including iPhone 16e), plus anyone with an upcoming iPhone 17 series, will have access to the service until at least November 2026.
This is great news: it’s a feature which has unquestionably saved lives, and while other options, such as T-Mobile’s T-Satellite, offer different capabilities, Apple’s system, with clever software that lets you know where to point the iPhone to signal to a passing satellite, has become an essential service.
