iPhone Emergency SOS Feature: How does it work through a Satellite?

With the release of the iPhone 14, Apple entered the world of satellite communication, introducing something called Emergency SOS via satellite.

But what exactly is it, how does it work, and where can you find it?

What exactly is Satellite Emergency SOS?

Emergency SOS via satellite is a new safety feature introduced by Apple on iPhone 14 models. It is intended to allow you to contact emergency services in areas where reception is unavailable.

That means that if you’re out of range of Wi-Fi or cellular signals, you’ll be able to relay a message via satellites to get the assistance you require. This is a messaging system; you cannot use it to make phone calls or do anything else; it is only for emergencies and will be routed to the appropriate emergency services.

How to Use Satellite Emergency SOS on Your iPhone?

First and foremost, an iPhone 14 is required for this to work due to hardware in the phone and support in iOS 16.

Second, you’ll need to be in an area with no coverage. Apple recommends calling emergency services first, but if you don’t have a connection, you’ll be given the option to send text via satellite.

Next, you will be guided by these steps:

• Select Satellite Emergency Text.
• Tap Report Emergency.
• Answer the questions to provide important information.
• You have the option of notifying your emergency contacts.
• To connect to your satellite, follow the instructions on the screen.
• Maintain your connection so that the message can be sent.

You will then be able to text apple emergency SOS to ensure that they have all of the necessary information. The information will include the nature of the emergency, the remaining battery life, and your location. 

However, everything is encrypted, and if the emergency service does not accept text messages, they will be relayed through an Apple service provider.

Connecting your iPhone to a Satellite

While you cannot simply open your phone and choose to connect to a satellite, there are some things you should be aware of when using your phone while connected to the satellite.

Once you’ve answered the emergency SOS iPhone questions and are ready to send the compressed, encrypted message, you’ll be guided into the satellite connection phase.

To begin, you must have a clear view of the sky and horizon – mountains, buildings, and even trees can all block the signal, so it must be as open as possible. Also, instead of putting your phone in your pocket or bag, keep it in your hand.

The on-screen images will let you know when you’re connected and whether you need to turn left or right to maximize your connection. There may be gaps in satellite coverage, but you will be informed of how long it will be before you can reconnect.

Once connected, the connection is kept even if the screen is locked.

What is the process of satellite communication?

Satellite communication in standard smartphones is a relatively new technology. Apple is amongst the first to set up a service. Still, others, such as Huawei in China, have announced similar plans, and there is considerable research into using satellites to enable connectivity beyond the reach of terrestrial cell towers.

The phone communicates via radio waves, most likely in bands that are already supported by terrestrial networks. However, because you’re connecting via satellite, the bandwidth is significantly reduced, limiting what you can do with it.

Essentially, you’ll send that information to the iPhone satellite, which will relay it back to a ground station and then forward it to the intended recipient – in this case, emergency services.

According to Apple, sending the data can take anywhere from 15 seconds to a minute. Because of bandwidth constraints, you can’t send it in a quick burst. Apple, on the other hand, is allowing you to update your location via the Find My network via satellite so that friends and family can track you down when you’re out in the wilderness.

While sat phones with large antennae can make calls via satellites, Apple does not currently offer this service.

Where can I get Emergency SOS via satellite?

At the moment, the service is only accessible in the United States and Canada. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are included, but not Guam or American Samoa. The region is most likely determined by the agreement with Globalstar, the satellite provider. 

This is also most likely why it is only available in the United States and Canada. There is no word on when coverage will be available in other regions; this will most likely be determined by Apple reaching commercial agreements with other satellite service providers.

Why is my iPhone stuck on the emergency SOS screen?

Before seeking a solution to the Emergency SOS screen, it is good to know the reasons why your iPhone may be stuck on this screen. Some of the potential reasons for this issue are described below:

• This problem often occurs when you want to perform some actions on your device by pressing the Power, Volume Up, and Volume Down buttons. However, you may inadvertently press the wrong buttons. 

Your phone may become stuck on the emergency SOS screen as a result of pressing the incorrect keys.

• If you flash or jailbreak your iPhone, it may become locked in an emergency SOS mode. This could be the result of a system failure or an error during the jailbreak process.

• If you have a youngster that has access to your iPhone, he/she may switch on the Emergency SOS option inside the Settings app of your smartphone.

Wrapping up

Apple is utilizing its satellite link to power another function that may be useful even if you are not in an emergency. With the Find My app on an iPhone 14, you can now share your position via satellite, so your friends and family can find you even while you’re disconnected from the internet.

Unlike when you use your iPhone on cellular or Wi-Fi when your position is automatically updated in the background, you must explicitly disclose your location when utilizing satellite communications. 

It’s unclear how this will work or when it’ll be available; presumably, there will be a button somewhere in the iOS 16 Find My app, but Apple hasn’t said whether this feature will be available right away or if we’ll have to wait until the rest of the Emergency SOS via satellite capabilities arrive in the November iOS 16 updates.