Apple rolls out emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 in U.S, Canada

Apple has announced that the iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite service will officially start rolling out today in the U.S and Canada markets.  

Emergency SOS via satellite enables users to message with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. This means that iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro users can now connect with emergency services when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage are not available. Apple said, messages might take up to 15 seconds to send in good conditions and longer in weaker conditions. 

“Providing Emergency SOS via satellite is an important breakthrough that will save lives. The critical work being done by Apple to create innovative new solutions to support 911 providers and first responders is a huge step forward in protecting Californians and the broader public during an emergency situation,” Mark Ghilarducci, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ director, said in a statement. 

Apple announced the feature during the ‌iPhone 14‌'s event in September, saying it would officially launch to customers in November. To use the feature, users must be running iOS 16.1.  

The company has invested ‘significantly’ on this initiative. According to a company statement, “a $450 million investment from Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund provides the critical infrastructure that supports Emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 models.” 

“A majority of the funding goes to Globalstar, a global satellite service headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, with facilities across the US. Apple’s investment provides critical enhancements to Globalstar’s satellite network and ground stations, ensuring iPhone 14 users are able to connect to emergency services when off the grid. At Globalstar, more than 300 employees support the new service,” Jay Monroe, Globalstar’s executive chairman, said in the statement. 

Using satellites for help is not new as other companies such as Garmin and Spot has dedicated satellite tracking and SOS devices and more recently, satellite connectivity has come into vogue for smartphone software providers and wireless carriers. 

In September, T-Mobile announced a partnership with SpaceX that would see the latter’s next-generation Starlink satellites act as orbiting cell towers, allowing stranded customers to fire off emergency texts when needed. Soon after, Google senior vice president Hiroshi Lockheimer confirmed that a future version of Android (Android 14) would support similar features.

Apple stated that its Emergency SOS will be available via an iOS 16 update and will be free for at least two years with the purchase of an iPhone 14. The service is expected to roll out in France, Germany, Ireland, and the U.K later this year.