How Apple’s New Messages via Satellite Feature Works [VIDEO]

Apple announced iOS 18, the latest update to the iPhone’s Operating System, during this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote on Monday.

One of the new features baked into iOS 18 is Messages via Satellite, which expands Apple’s satellite connectivity functionality beyond just emergency communication. With iOS 18, users will also be able to message their friends and family directly from the Messages app, even when they don’t have access to Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.

In a recently published video, CNET explained how the new feature works with help from Kurt Knight, Senior Director of Platform Product Marketing at Apple.

“This is a brand new feature that joins a set of satellite features that we already have,” said Knight. Users don’t need to be facing an emergency to use Messages via Satellite. “You can tell people anything you want. You can catch up on the weather,” he added.

When their iPhone loses both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, the user will be presented with a prompt to connect to a satellite right on the Lock Screen. A similar prompt will be displayed if the user launches the Messages app while off the grid.

Following the prompt will guide you to establishing a connection with an available satellite, after which you can send and receive messages over Apple’s satellite network. Once connected, you’ll be able to send messages and have text conversations as you normally would. The feature even supports sending and receiving Tapbacks and emoji.

According to Knight, messages sent using this feature are first beamed up to a satellite in space, which sends them back down to an Apple relay center, from where they are delivered to the recipient. As such, CNET observed that sending messages over a satellite connection could sometimes be a little slower than your average Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

Messages via Satellite retains end-to-end encryption for user privacy and supports both iMessage and SMS messages.

With a satellite connection established, users can not only send but also receive iMessages from anyone when off the grid. Over SMS, however, users can only receive messages from emergency contacts, contacts they’ve set up as part of their family, or contacts they first initiate a conversation with. This was done to prevent congestion across the satellite network, Knight explained.

While RCS is making its way to the iPhone with iOS 18, Knight noted that it won’t be supported by Messages via Satellite as the protocol isn’t optimized for transmission over satellites.

Messages via Satellite will be available for free on iPhone 14 series or newer starting this fall. The feature is already available in beta.

To learn more about Messages via Satellite, check out the full video from CNET below.