Back at WWDC, Apple unveiled a new Messages via Satellite feature that was aimed at users to communicate easier when outside of network coverage and Wi-Fi.
This feature, which has end-to-end encryption in iOS 18, lets users receive texts, emoji, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. How? Supported iPhones will connect to satellites in the sky.
Today, Apple announced that Messages via Satellite will launch in the US and Canada in iOS 18, which launches next Monday. This joins Emergency SOS via satellite, already available to Canadians.
While Canada gets to join in on the fun with Messages via Satellite, we still don’t get Roadside Assistance via satellite yet. This feature connects users with a roadside assistance company when they have car problems and are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Originally available in the US, it will now expand to the UK with partner Green Flag.
Another satellite feature, Emergency SOS Live Video, coming in iOS 18, will only be available in the USA at launch. This lets you share live video with first responders using satellites, taking safety to another level.
These satellite features are included for free for two years, starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 14 or later. Of course you’ll need a newer iPhone for the latest features.
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If you can message via satellite, you can just message CAA for assistance??
If you have a membership and they do have a text number? Yep!
I think the roadside assistance may actually provide voice too though…
Anyways, you’re right that there’s still options.
It's text-only via satellite, just like Emergency SOS. There's not enough bandwidth for anything else, considering the iPhone's relatively miniscule antenna and the several hundred miles it takes to reach the nearest satellite under even the best conditions 😏
The main advantage of Emergency SOS is that it's optimized to transmit all the necessary data as quickly as possible by asking you some key questions and automatically including your GPS location in the first transmission.
However, from what I've seen of Roadside Assistance, it just starts a standard text messaging conversation with a dispatch centre, so there's likely no reason you couldn't just use Messages via satellite to contact CAA directly.
I've seen people confusing this one with Emergency SOS via satellite, but it's an entirely separate thing. Emergency SOS Live Video is an expansion of the Emergency SOS feature that's been around since 2016 for standard terrestrial 911 calls. It requires a traditional cellular or Wi-Fi data connection.
Considering that Emergency SOS via satellite offers no voice communication and relies solely on text messages that can take anywhere from 15 seconds to two minutes to send, there's no way there's enough bandwidth to stream live video 😄