How to Use Emergency SOS with Satellite on Your iPhone 14

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, you can use Emergency SOS with Satellite to send text messages to emergency room when cellular and Wi-Fi are out of range. You can also use the Find My app to share your location with people via satellite.

What is Emergency SOS with iPhone Satellite?

Emergency SOS by satellite can help you connect with emergency services in exceptional situations, when there is no other way to reach the emergency room. If you call emergency services or send a text message to emergency room but can't connect to emergency room because you're out of range of cellular and Wi-Fi, your iPhone will try to connect you to the help you need via satellite.

When you use a satellite connection, you have a different experience than sending and receiving messages over a cellular network. In ideal conditions where the sky and horizon are directly visible, it takes 15 seconds to send a message, while under trees with small or medium-sized leaves, it can take more than a minute to send a message. If the leaves on you are too tight or there are other obstacles around you, you may not be able to connect to the satellite. Obstacles around you, the length of your message, and the status and availability of the satellite network can also affect connection times.

Is there a charge for Emergency SOS feature with Apple Satellite?

Emergency SOS by satellite is free for two years after activation of iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro.

How to use the Emergency SOS feature with satellite?

When you're in a place where cellular and Wi-Fi aren't in range, you can still use your iPhone to send text messages to emergency room over a satellite connection.

If you need to contact emergency services, follow these tips to help you connect your iPhone to a satellite:

Hold your phone in its natural position. Although you don't have to raise your arm or raise your phone, don't put it in your pocket or backpack.
Make sure you are outside and that the sky and horizon are clearly visible.
Keep in mind that small-leaved trees can slow down the connection, while frequent leaves can block the connection. Hills or mountains, canyons and tall structures can also block the connection.
If you need to turn left or right or move so that the signal isn't blocked, your iPhone guides you. Just follow the on-screen instructions.
Even if your phone's screen is locked, the satellite connection can be maintained.

Method of sending messages to the emergency room via satellite

First, try calling the emergency room. You might still be able to make calls even if your regular cellular carrier network isn't available.
If your call doesn't connect, you can send a message to emergency room via satellite:
Tap Emergency Message with satellite.
You can also go to Messages and tap Emergency Services to send a message to 911 or SOS.
Tap Report an Emergency.
Answer emergency questions using simple touch gestures to best describe your situation.
Select the option to let your emergency contacts know that you've contacted emergency services and share your location and the nature of your emergency with them.
Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to a satellite.
Once connected, continue to follow the on-screen instructions to avoid losing your connection when sending your message to emergency services.

When connected, your iPhone starts a conversation with emergency responders by sharing critical information such as your Medical ID and emergency contact's contact information (if you set it up), your responses to an emergency survey, your location (including altitude), and the remaining battery life on your iPhone.

You may be asked to respond to additional messages. Only characters from the Latin alphabet (such as English or French) are supported in these messages. As of its initial availability, the service supports American English, American Spanish, and Canadian French.