Apple Extends Free iPhone Satellite Features for Another Year
▼ Summary
– iPhone 14 and 15 users will receive an additional year of free satellite connectivity, extending the trial to September 2025 activation deadline.
– Apple originally provided two years of free satellite service starting with the iPhone 14 launch in November 2022.
– In 2023, Apple extended the free trial by one year for existing iPhone 14 users, pushing the potential payment deadline to November 2025.
– The latest extension moves the deadline for the earliest adopters to November 2026, as indicated in Apple’s recent announcement.
– Apple has expanded satellite features to include texting in iOS 18 and announced satellite connectivity for the new Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Owners of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 can breathe a sigh of relief, Apple has quietly confirmed that free access to satellite connectivity features will continue for another full year. This extension applies to users who activated their devices in a supported country before September 9, 2025, at 12 a.m. Pacific Time. The news appeared in a footnote within Apple’s official announcements for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, signaling the company’s ongoing commitment to this potentially life-saving service.
When Apple first rolled out its Emergency SOS via satellite capability back in November 2022 alongside the iPhone 14, the company promised a complimentary two-year trial period. That policy remains intact for newer models, guaranteeing two years of satellite access from the date of activation. Last year, however, Apple surprised early adopters by tacking on an extra free year for iPhone 14 users, effectively pushing a possible paywall to November 2025. With this latest extension, that timeline has now shifted to November 2026, giving customers even more time to use the feature without charge.
Beyond emergency use, Apple has steadily enhanced its satellite offerings. With the release of iOS 18 last year, users gained the ability to send text messages to friends and family via satellite when beyond the reach of cellular networks. In a related development, Apple also revealed that the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 will incorporate satellite connectivity, broadening the ecosystem of devices capable of staying linked even in remote locations.
(Source: The Verge)
