All the smartphones in the s to send a distress message without cellular connectivity, in the U.S. and Canada, on Nov. 15. Apple first announced the feature in September alongside the release of new iPhones, including the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. All of these phones — from the base model iPhone 14 to the pricey iPhone 14 Pro Max — can connect to overhead satellites due to a combination of new internal components and software integration. The announcement was considered an impressive feat in the tech industry, as typical satellite communication devices are much larger than an iPhone.
Emergency SOS via satellite is intended to be a failsafe that is only to be used when other communication methods, like cellular connectivity and WiFi connectivity, have already been exhausted. As such, s can not automatically request emergency assistance through Emergency SOS via satellite. The software that powers the feature — iOS 16 — requires s first to attempt to place a 911 call over cellular. If this attempt failed, iPhone 14 s would have the option to send an emergency text via satellite to connect with first responders, even without cellular connectivity. However, the critical safety feature wasn't available until now.
Apple announced that Emergency SOS via satellite is now available to iPhone 14 s in the U.S. and Canada as of Nov. 14 in a press release. Outside of the emergency service applications, the company says that the iPhone 14's satellite connectivity can also be used to share a 's location with friends and family. Through this application, s can share their current position while "off the grid" through satellite connectivity, which can be reassuring to friends and family. Apple says that Emergency SOS via satellite will come to , , Ireland and the United Kingdom in December this year.
Emergency SOS Works With Satellite Service Globalstar
The public availability of Emergency SOS via satellite comes less than a week after Apple announced an investment in U.S. satellite infrastructure, which the company said was key to making the feature available. Apple has invested $450 million in the nation's satellite network and ground stations, primarily through a partnership with Globalstar — a global satellite service based in Louisiana. More than 300 employees at Globalstar Emergency SOS via satellite, routing emergency requests to first responders or making emergency calls on their behalf. Anytime an iPhone 14 makes a request through Emergency SOS via satellite, their message goes through one of Globalstar's 24 low-earth orbit satellites traveling at speeds of around 16,000 miles per hour. After a Globalstar ground station receives the request, it is routed to emergency services or Apple-trained emergency specialists.
The debut of Emergency SOS via satellite on the iPhone 14 rounds out the smartphone's health and safety features, which have become an important part of an iPhone's selling points. Emergency SOS via satellite s Crash Detection and the traditional Emergency SOS as some of the best safety features available on a smartphone. Paired with the Apple Watch, there are already many s of Apple devices being used in life-saving efforts. Of course, these features are ones that s hope they will never need, but they may find peace of mind knowing they are there in an emergency. Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in the U.S. and Canada, with more countries due to receive for the safety feature next month.