How to Use the iPhone’s Satellite SOS Feature When Traveling

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto: "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

E-mail her at cteel@smartertravel.com.

See recent posts by Caroline Morse Teel

What happens if you have an emergency while traveling and need help, but you don’t have cell service? If you have an iPhone, there’s a feature that you need to know about that could save your life.

Newer iPhones (the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15) have an Emergency SOS via Satellite feature built-in, which allows you to contact emergency services via satellite, even if no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is available. If your attempts to call or text emergency services fail due to a lack of traditional connectivity, your device will automatically try to connect you through a satellite.

How to Use the iPhone Satellite SOS

The satellite SOS feature is only to be used in an emergency. Use it in scenarios where you would call 911, like a car crash or getting injured while hiking.

To utilize the Satellite SOS service, you must be outside and have a clear view of the sky and horizon. Trees, mountains, and buildings can all block the connection.

First, try calling the local emergency number to reach emergency services. Even if your normal cellular carrier network isn’t available, you might be able to make the call.

After an emergency call fails, an option will pop up where you can tap “emergency text via satellite.” Then follow these steps:

Screenshot of iOS emergency texting function. — Apple.com

Tap “report emergency.”
Choose from the following prompts to describe your situation: Car or vehicle issue, sickness or injury, crime, lost or trapped, fire.
The iPhone will then ask you a series of questions based on your response, that can be answered using simple taps. You will be given the option to share your location and nature of your emergency with your emergency contacts.
Follow onscreen directions to connect to a satellite. You’ll need to manually position your phone to help it lock on to a satellite.
Stay connected as emergency services asks you further questions over text.

Once you’re connected, your iPhone will start a text with emergency responders that shares any information you have provided (such as your medical ID), your location (including elevation), and how much battery life you have left.

Screenshot of iOS emergency texting function and manually positioning your phone to help it lock on to a satellite. — Apple.com

How to Use the iPhone’s My Location via Satellite Feature

For non-emergency situations, where you simply want to share your location with your contacts, you can use the My Location via Satellite feature on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. This feature is available in the Find My App. Tap the “me” tab and navigate to My Location via Satellite. Tap “send my location” and follow the steps to connect to a satellite and send your location.

Before You Travel

Apple recommends watching the Emergency SOS Satellite demo at home in order to familiarize yourself with the process in case you ever need it.

Make sure you have the most recent version of iOS installed on your phone. iOS 16.4 or later may be required to use the feature.

Set up your iPhone’s Medical ID and emergency contacts, which the satellite feature can transmit to emergency services. You need to set up this information before going somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

How Much Does the iPhone Satellite Connection Cost?

The iPhone Satellite Connection is currently free. Apple has indicated that this will be a feature it may charge for in the future, but has not disclosed when that will start or how much it will cost.

Where Can You Use the iPhone Satellite SOS?

The iPhone satellite feature is currently available in: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

You Might Also Like:

• How to Check if You’re Flying on a Boeing Plane
• Discover New York City: The Best Tours to Explore the Big Apple
• The Most Offensive Things You Can Do on a Plane
• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport While Traveling
• The Ultimate Cranmore Mountain Resort Travel Guide

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.