Apple has announced that it is extending the free trial of Emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 users for an additional year. The feature allows users to contact emergency services even when they are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. This can be a lifesaver for people who are in remote areas or who have been involved in an accident.
The Emergency SOS via satellite feature was first introduced with the iPhone 14 lineup. It is currently available in 17 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia. The free trial was originally set to expire on November 15, 2024, but Apple has now extended it to November 15, 2025.
In order to use Emergency SOS via satellite, users must have an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro that is running iOS 16.1 or later. They must also be in an area with a clear view of the sky. The feature works by connecting to a network of satellites that are operated by Globalstar.
When a user activates Emergency SOS via satellite, their iPhone will connect to the nearest satellite and send a message to emergency services. The message will include the user’s location, as well as a brief description of their situation. Emergency services will then be able to contact the user and provide assistance.
Apple has said that it is extending the free trial of Emergency SOS via satellite in order to give more people the opportunity to experience the feature and to see how it can help save lives. The company is also working to expand the availability of the feature to more countries.
How to Use Emergency SOS via Satellite
To use Emergency SOS via satellite, follow these steps:
- Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 16.1 or later.
- Go to a location with a clear view of the sky.
- Hold down the side button and either volume button until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
- Swipe the Emergency SOS slider to the right.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to a satellite and send a message to emergency services.
