{"id":49268,"date":"2025-09-12T16:25:36","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T20:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=49268"},"modified":"2025-09-12T16:25:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T20:25:36","slug":"iphone-satellite-features-remain-free-for-another-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/12\/iphone-satellite-features-remain-free-for-another-year\/","title":{"rendered":"iPhone Satellite Features Remain Free for Another Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adam Engst<\/a>:<\/p>\n

When Apple first introduced Emergency SOS via satellite with the iPhone 14, it promised two years of free service<\/a>. Later, Apple extended the free service by another year (see “Apple Extends Free Emergency SOS via Satellite for iPhone 14 Users for Another Year<\/a>,” 15 November 2023). That extension was set to expire in November, but Apple has—in a footnote<\/a> on the press releases for the new iPhones—moved the free access expiration date again[…]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n