iPhone Satellite Features Remain Free for Another Year
When Apple first introduced Emergency SOS via satellite with the iPhone 14, it promised two years of free service. Later, Apple extended the free service by another year (see “Apple Extends Free Emergency SOS via Satellite for iPhone 14 Users for Another Year,” 15 November 2023). That extension was set to expire in November, but Apple has—in a footnote on the press releases for the new iPhones—moved the free access expiration date again[…]
I’m glad to have this feature, but after recently trying it out when hiking I wouldn’t plan to rely on it. It took a long time and a fair amount of moving my feet and orienting my body and the phone in order for it to acquire a signal in an area that had some light tree cover and rock. I had to concentrate on holding the phone and making sure it remained aimed at the satellite, as it moved overhead. Then I would have to keep at it while waiting for a reply. Chances are that in a real emergency, if I were stuck or injured, I wouldn’t be able to do all of this. It’s great that maybe it would help when you need it, but if you were thinking about carrying a dedicated messenger device or locator beacon you should probably still do that.
Previously:
- Emergency SOS via Satellite Pricing
- Hurricane Helene and Messages via Satellite
- iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
