It's finally here! If you have an iPhone 14 or newer and have downloaded iOS 18 or newer, you can now two-way text and send your location via SMS even if you don't have cellular coverage.
Note: Some Android phones have emergency text availability and two-way texting may be coming in the next year.
Apple previously enabled emergency texting with the release of the iPhone 14 but until now you were not able to use Apple's satellite services for casual two-way conversations to let your friends and family know where you are and what you are doing. With the release of iOS 18, you can now send an emergency distress text with your location to emergency responders or just casually text.
In order to text two-way or with emergency services via satellite, you need the following:
iPhone 14 or newer
Active cellular provider plan (i.e. TMobile, Mint, AT&T, Verizon, etc.)
iOS 18 or newer - on your device
iOS 18 or newer - on the receiving iPhone
Android phones should be on the latest software update
You need to be in a place with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage
Satellite coverage is global, but not all countries are "turned on" yet
Apple is using the Globalstar satellite constellation for its emergency and two-way texting functionality. Globalstar is a low earth orbit constellation that provides global satellite coverage. It works in a similar fashion to the Iridium network that Garmin uses in its popular satellite communication devices.
We've tested Apple's new two-way texting service in several Wilderness areas and it works! If you've used Garmin's service, the main differences are that you need to point the iPhone at a satellite and the texting works more like what you are used to with phone texting. The reason you have to point at a satellite is likely due to the internal antenna that Apple uses versus the dedicated external antenna of other devices - but don't worry, the phone guides you every step of the way.
Our testing worked well with iPhone to iPhone texting but we sometimes struggled with iPhone to Android texting. It seemed to be an issue with SMS vs. RCS on the Android phone so shutting off RCS may improve the service.
One other difference with satellite texting with the iPhone vs. a Garmin is that you are not always connected to a satellite. You need to connect to the satellite to send a message and any messages that are sent to you are queued and received when you next connect to the satellite - or reach cellular service.
Here is Apple's guide to using Emergency SOS on your iPhone.
Here is Apple's guide to using two-way texting on your iPhone.
There are a number of YouTube video tutorials on the web as well. We'll let you search for those yourself!
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