Apple Gives Iphone 14 And 15 Owners An Extra Free Year Of Satellite Connectivity

Tucked distant successful Apple's iPhone 17 property releases was a prize for off-grid owners of older models. The institution gave iPhone 14 and 15 owners free entree to outer features for different year. This is Apple's third extension since Emergency SOS via outer launched pinch nan iPhone 14.

"The free proceedings will beryllium extended for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users who person activated their instrumentality successful a state that supports Apple's outer features anterior to 12AM PT connected September 9, 2025," nan company's transcript reads. An Apple support page lists Armenia, Belarus, China mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia arsenic unsupported countries.

Apple's off-grid characteristic group began successful 2022 pinch Emergency SOS via satellite. In iOS 18, it expanded to see Messages via satellite, Find My entree and roadside assistance. The features activity done a business pinch Globalstar.

As for why Apple keeps extending nan free access, a Redditor floated a logical-sounding mentation aft past year's announcement. "I can't spot Apple ever charging for [Emergency SOS via satellite]," u/rotates-potatoes posted. "The affirmative PR of 'saved by Apple' is excessively good, and nan antagonistic PR of 'died because they didn't salary $3' is excessively bad." (It's worthy noting that nan pricing was speculative. Apple hasn't said really overmuch it plans to charge.)

You tin demo nan features connected your iPhone correct now. To trial Emergency SOS, caput to Settings > Emergency SOS, and scroll down to "Try Demo" (at nan bottom). For nan texting feature, spell to Settings > Apps > Messages, and scroll down to "Satellite Connection Demo."