For all iPhone 14 customers, Apple announced emergency SOS via satellite in November, 2022. This feature enables users to text emergency services when they’re offline, such as while camping in the mountains or driving at night through a remote area. The first two years of the service are cost-free.
How to use satellite-based emergency SOS:
If there is a crisis, try dialing 911. Your phone will attempt to connect to a tower belonging to another carrier if you don’t have mobile coverage. If it doesn’t work, a menu will appear with the option to send a “Emergency Text via Satellite.”
To text 911 or SOS, go to iMessage and select Emergency Services.
You can tap on an option that will appear to report an emergency.
Emergency questions will appear to assist you describe your situation as clearly as possible. “What’s the emergency?” will be the first question. Following that, you’ll have the ability to choose from alternatives like “Car or vehicle issue” or “illness or injury.” You’ll then be guided through a series of questions that are more in-depth.
You will be given the choice to inform your emergency contacts of your location and the nature of your situation, as well as the fact that you have contacted emergency services. The Find My app also lets you communicate your whereabouts with loved ones via satellite.
Your phone will ask you to point it upward in order to establish a connection with a satellite. It should be possible for you to connect to a satellite as long as your line of sight is unobstructed, but it can take up to 15 seconds for your messages to be delivered. The words might take a minute to load if there are any trees or other obstructions obstructing your view of the sky. You’ll also need to move your phone slightly to maintain connectivity throughout the call because satellites orbit the planet swiftly.
Situation services will immediately know your location and the nature of your emergency once you have established a satellite connection, but they will ask you a few additional questions to assist them find you and prepare.
Emergency agencies will be able to see crucial personal information, such as what drugs you’re taking and the names of your emergency contacts, if your medical ID is configured through your iPhone’s health settings.
