This Hidden iPhone Feature Could Seriously Save Your Life In An Emergency

A new feature included in Apple’s latest iPhone update could be a game changer if you ever need to text someone but don’t have cell service.

There’s a host of new features in iOS 18, including new ways to customize your home screen and the ability to add extra text effects (you can bold or underline words for emphasis, for instance). But for the safety nuts among us, the most valuable new addition may be satellite messaging, a feature that allows users to text family, friends and emergency services when they’re off the grid: For instance, maybe you’re in the wifi-less forrest and want to let your mother know you’ve gotten to your campsite safely.

The new feature works similarly to Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature introduced on the iPhone 14 and 15 series. (We previously wrote of how those affected by last year’s Maui wildfires were able to connect with first responders using Emergency SOS.)

To connect to a satellite, you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. Then you’ll point your iPhone upward, said Tim Schofield, a tech YouTuber.

“Once connected, you are able to send/receive texts, tapbacks and emojis on your iPhone and message with your friends and family ― not just emergency services,” Schofield told HuffPost.

One thing to note: You’ll have to have an iPhone 14 or later for this service to work.

“Apple has stated that this feature is free for the first two years,” Schofield said. “No word yet on pricing afterwards. I could potentially see it being a subscription fee similar to current ‘international roaming’ plans U.S. carriers have.”

Miguel Alvarado, the creator of iDeviceHelp, a YouTube channel covering the latest on Apple iOS updates, luckily hasn’t had to use either Satellite messaging or Emergency SOS, but he can see many use cases.

“Maybe you’re driving down a deserted road with no cell service and your car breaks down,” he said. “Or I could see it being helpful in the event you get lost while hiking or even deep-sea fishing where there’s barely any service available.”

Though this is an absolute worst-case scenario, satellite messaging could also make a difference if you’re without cellular service and need to ask for help but can’t make an emergency SOS call because you’d compromise your safety.

And as the aforementioned Maui fire example suggests, the new feature could also be helpful during natural disasters or weather events like tornadoes or hurricanes when cell services and Wi-Fi are typically spotty or not available at all.

There’s some less intense use cases, too: Maybe you got separated from a friend while on a trail and need to communicate with them so neither of you get lost. With satellite messaging you’re able to simply send them a text and find a meetup point, Schofield said.

“It could even be helpful for something as simple as, you’re driving out to a family’s house for a holiday and you want to let them know you’re going to be late or want to ask if they need you to pick something up on your way but you don’t have service,” Schofield said. “It fills in those gaps in communication.”

What about Android users? Do they have a similar service available? Schofield said the new Google Pixel 9 line up is the first Android phone to get satellite SOS messaging.

“Unlike the iPhone, you are only able to message emergency services,” he said. “Also, on the Pixel 9, it’s only available in the U.S., minus Hawaii and Alaska, whereas Apple satellite connectivity works in 17 countries.”

You don’t need to buy the new iPhone 16 to use this feature (again, you need an iPhone 14 model or later) ― you just need to update your phone. If you’ve already enabled automatic updates, your phone will clue you in when it’s ready to install.

If you’re ready for the update now and don’t want to wait, open the Settings app and then tap General > Software Update. Not seeing anything? You may need to swipe down a few times to refresh. From there, look and see if you’ve enabled automatic updates by tapping Automatic Updates at the top of the screen.

As for trying out satellite messaging, Alvarado said iPhone users can go through a demo on how to use emergency SOS or satellite messaging on iPhone by heading to Settings > Apps > Messages, then tapping Satellite Connection Demo.

From there, Apple will walk you through how to turn on iMessage (which you’ll need to do before you’re outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage and need to use the satellite feature) and how to add an emergency contact and set up Family Sharing.

Once it’s all set up, you can rest a little easier knowing your phone has got your back, Alvarado said.

“I think setting this up will give people real peace of mind, knowing that their iPhone can help them communicate in the event of an emergency, no matter what happens,” he said.