One of Apple’s key safety features is the emergency SOS messaging via satellite, which launched soon after the iPhone 14 went on sale. Apple never said it would be free forever. Here’s the latest on what’s happening.
The original service went live on Nov. 15, 2022 for all iPhone 14 series phones, that is iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. At the time. Apple said it would be free to use the service, which allows users to contact emergency services when there was no cellular connection, for two years, that is until Nov. 14, 2024. That date has just passed.
However, last year, on Nov. 15, 2023, Apple surprised everyone by announcing it would extend the service free for another year for activated iPhone 14 models, timed from the date of activation of the iPhone. This meant that for all iPhone 14 series users, the service is still available. If you buy an iPhone 14 today, it will get two years of service from the date of activation. The same applies to iPhone 15 series and iPhone 16 series models, which also have two year’ service included.
Yesterday, Nov. 15, 2024, meant it was exactly a year since the service was extended for the first users, so you might have thought Apple would extend it again. No announcement has been made yet.
If there isn’t one, it means that anyone who is still using the iPhone 14 that they had two years ago is now in the last year of the free service. So, what happens then?
Well, first of all, Apple doesn’t need to make the announcement on the exact anniversary. Many people activated their iPhone 14 after the original SOS service date. Anyone with an iPhone 15, which launched in September 2023, has at least 10 months to go, too, and iPhone 16 models have a minimum of 1 year 10 months left.
Plenty of time, then, for an announcement to be made. And Apple isn’t giving up on the feature. You can use the access for roadside assistance via satellite in both the U.S. and the U.K. And this year, in September, Apple expanded the service to non-emergency situations, also for two years. This month, Apple committed $1.5 billion to Globalstar, its satellite partner, to expand the services.
Which makes you wonder, will this become a paid service one day? While I think that’s possible, especially if the services become more comprehensive, my gut feeling is that the SOS capability will remain free.
Even if you’ve never used it, the fact that it’s there and free would make it something of a hot topic if what’s perceived as a versatile and effective emergency service suddenly comes with a price tag.
If Apple announces a further extension, I’ll update this post.
