iOS 18.3 Secretly Adds Starlink Support for iPhone in the US, Starting with T-Mobile Users

Upon the rollout of iOS 18.3, Apple has launched beta support for Starlink on iPhone in the US. Quietly, Apple and Starlink has been working towards getting Starlink on its iPhone devices, working in partnership with SpaceX and T-Mobile.

As first reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the support is currently rolling out in beta for T-Mobile users who apply. In 2022, T-Mobile announced its partnership with Starlink. Flashforward to 2024 and the US carrier opened its beta program to support users, allowing access to use Starlink satallites in areas without coverage.

As iOS 18.3 is now available, a small amount of T-Mobile users are being invited to test the Starlink beta. Messages are being sent to customers, inviting them into the program. “You’re in the T-Mobile Starlink beta,” the message reads. “You can now stay connected with texting via satellite from virtually anywhere. To start experiencing coverage beyond, please update to iOS 18.3.”

Once enabled, T-Mobile customers will have a new toggle to enable the satellite connectivity feature. Using Starlink, T-Mobile users will be able to pair to a satellite automatically when a T-Mobile cellular service connection isn’t available. Currently, Starlink supports the ability to send and receive texts. However, T-Mobile and SpaceX are working towards supporitng data and voice messages.

On T-Mobile’s webiste, there’s no official word on which iPhone’s are compatible. However, every iPhone from the iPhone 14 series onward supports satellite connectivity for text messages. This is in part due to Apple’s already on-going partnership with Globalstar. iPhone users who use Starlink can opt in and begin texting using Apple’s satellite service.