When to Expect the Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature to Launch on iPhone

[MacRumors]

All four iPhone 14 models support a new Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that will allow the devices to connect directly to a satellite, enabling users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Apple says the feature will launch in November, and while the company has yet to provide a more specific release date, we have outlined the most likely timing below.

In a support document, Apple says Emergency SOS via Satellite "will be available with an iOS 16 software update coming in November 2022." Given that iOS 16.1 was released in late October, and that iOS 16.2 is expected to be released in December, Emergency SOS via Satellite will likely be enabled with iOS 16.1.1, which is already in testing and should also address issues related to Wi-Fi connectivity and the SKAdNetwork framework.

There's a lesser chance that Emergency SOS via Satellite will be enabled with iOS 16.1.2, but there is no evidence of such an update yet and Apple would likely want to get Emergency SOS via Satellite launched before the week of U.S. Thanksgiving.

When it launches in the United States and Canada, Apple says Emergency SOS via Satellite will be free for the first two years, which suggests that Apple might be planning to charge for the service at some point in the future. Apple reportedly confirmed that the feature will be expanded to additional countries by the end of next year.

In "ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and the horizon," Apple says a text message might take 15 seconds to send via satellite, but notes it can take over a minute for a message to send "under trees with light or medium foliage." Read our in-depth guide to Emergency SOS via Satellite for additional information about the feature.

Article Link: When to Expect the Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature to Launch on iPhone

 

[Joe The Dragon]

planning to charge for the service? what happens when it fall under rules that 911 and others do.
That any phone even with no funds in account, dead beat account, roaming, no sim, even blocked imei can make an emergency call?

 

[Harmonious Zen]

This doesn't seem to be a Garmin replacement because you can't actually text people other than emergency services right? Or am I missing something?

 

[vegetassj4]

Via satellite, hmmmm....the price will eventually be $8 /month.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

When it launches in the United States and Canada, Apple says Emergency SOS via Satellite will be free for the first two years, which suggests that Apple might be planning to charge for the service at some point in the future. Apple reportedly confirmed that the feature will be expanded to additional countries by the end of next year.

This Emergency SOS service should be a FREE SERVICE FOR A LIFETIME. We are already paying premium prices for the iPhones & cellular carriers.

 

[roar08]

Globalstar is hosting an investor day on November 16. Pretty sure that's when we'll see this go live.

 

[IIGS User]

This Emergency SOS service should be a FREE SERVICE FOR A LIFETIME. We are already paying premium prices for the iPhones & cellular carriers.

I think the SOS service will be free for lifetime. Same as an old cell phone with no service can still dial 911.

The potential for negative press is just too great. I can see it 3 years from now. Someone with a used iPhone 14 is on a pre paid cellular plan that doesn't pay for the satellite service and finds themselves out in the middle of the desert in a car wreck with 2 toddlers and a puppy. Then the ONLY way they can save themselves is a satellite 911 text and it doesn't go through because they couldn't afford to pay for the service. Headline reads:

"APPLE SATELLITE SERVICE HATES PUPPIES AND LITTLE KIDS".

But I think texting a friend or no emergency service will come with a fee, either monthly or per useage.

 

[vegetassj4]

Via satellite, hmmmm....the price will eventually be $8 /month.

Or maybe perhaps an incentive based structure:

 

[alexandr]

Right after you get trapped in the wilderness and have to chew off your own foot to set yourself free.

 

[sw1tcher]

planning to charge for the service? what happens when it fall under rules that 911 and others do.
That any phone even with no funds in account, dead beat account, roaming, no sim, even blocked imei can make an emergency call?

This Emergency SOS service should be a FREE SERVICE FOR A LIFETIME. We are already paying premium prices for the iPhones & cellular carriers.

Maybe Apple can fund the service with ads after the 2 years are up.

Each SOS sent also has an ad attached for the 911 responders to see. 🤣

 

[macduke]

I imagine it won't necessarily be paid as a standalone feature, but will be included with iCloud+ like Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domain, etc. I think they really want to push iCloud+ going forward. I imagine around that point in two years they may add some additional features, maybe like ad blocking. They will probably also increase the price and maybe do a bump to the storage tiers to something like 100GB, 500GB, 4TB. I'd be fine with that.

 

[DigitalAR]

99% of iPhone users will never need to use feature and…

99.9% of MacRumors users will never need to use this feature.

 

[coolfactor]

Kind of a no-win on cost. If free, it means every Apple customer is subsidizing the service. Paying for something you're not needing. If choosing pay-by-month, it means you may pay for something you aren't using for 11 months of the year.

It should be a post-paid service. If you do end up using it, in an emergency, then there's a [small] fee.

 

[-BigMac-]

Still unreal that this is even possible😊

Your phone can locate, and beam info to a satelite in orbit. Wtf😅

 

[compwiz1202]

planning to charge for the service? what happens when it fall under rules that 911 and others do.
That any phone even with no funds in account, dead beat account, roaming, no sim, even blocked imei can make an emergency call?

I'm more curious about what will the consequences be for abusers. I can't find my car in the parking lot...etc

 

[compwiz1202]

Kind of a no-win on cost. If free, it means every Apple customer is subsidizing the service. Paying for something you're not needing. If choosing pay-by-month, it means you may pay for something you aren't using for 11 months of the year.

It should be a post-paid service. If you do end up using it, in an emergency, then there's a [small] fee.

It will suddenly go from worthless to priceless for someone who it saves

 

[t0rqx]

This is in preparation when Apple is planning to charge monthly for using the extra sensors in Apple Watch including: ECG, heart afib, bloodsugar and emergency calls when heartbeat stops. Health+. Similar features they marketed as life saving and want to make it available for free for everyone.

Squeezing every penny even if it takes lives.

 

[compwiz1202]

Maybe Apple can fund the service with ads after the 2 years are up.

Each SOS sent also has an ad attached for the 911 responders to see. 🤣

This is hilarious and not even funny at the same time. "Someone is lost somewhere, but first take a look at these new sturdy hiking boots."

 

[developer13245]

I used a Spot Messenger for years (Globalstar) and it sucked. I switched to a Garmin Inreach (Iridium) and found it works much better. The main reason is related to how the satellite constellations work, and not the devices themselves.
Inreach (Iridium) has much better location accuracy, and better satellite connectivity. My main use is backcountry tracking and messaging (hiking/backpacking/etc). Comparing years of Spot vs Inreach tracking data for the same areas/trails clearly demonstrates Inreach is better. Messages are sent / received faster on Inreach.

 

[Scoob Redux]

Still unreal that this is even possible😊

Your phone can locate, and beam info to a satelite in orbit. Wtf😅

The intelligence community thanks you for your surprise.

 

[Joe The Dragon]

It should be a post-paid service. If you do end up using it, in an emergency, then there's a [small] fee.

Ok $15 for the 1st 5 min and then $2/min voice / $1.00 per SMS each way / Data $5 per meg
out side the USA Roaming extra

 

[LogicalApex]

This Emergency SOS service should be a FREE SERVICE FOR A LIFETIME. We are already paying premium prices for the iPhones & cellular carriers.

My gut on this is still the following:

2 years free with a new iPhone purchase (and possibly watch if it extends there in the future).
Included in Apple One so it helps to increase service revenue even though it will be used extremely rarely.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Apple really researched this. Watched CBS Sunday Morning segment about people hiking and going it alone after the pandemic. The issue is especially problem in Colorado where they have to do a lot of volunteer rescues. Also, a lot out of outdoor gear companies are pushing this a lot; so its expected to be a common problem in the future.

 

[developer13245]

The intelligence community thanks you for your surprise.

A former F-18 pilot told me he could put a bomb on anyone carrying a cell phone. I'm assuming he was speaking from experience.

 

[WWPD]

"Apple says Emergency SOS via Satellite will be free for the first two years, which suggests that Apple might be planning to charge for the service at some point in the future."

You were eaten by a bear, should have paid for the service you cheapskate.