01/23/2026
If cell towers go down and internet is out, you can still send messages to and from an iPhone! Follow the procedure below and be prepared.
How Messages via satellite works
Starting in iOS 18, Messages via satellite can help you connect with your friends and family*, even when you’re off the grid — somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. You can send and receive texts, emojis, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS.
To connect to a satellite, you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon.
Messages via satellite is available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. It's free for two years after the activation of an iPhone 14 or later (all models).
Before you go off the grid
Here are some ways to be prepared:
-Try the Satellite Connection demo — To learn how to connect to a satellite, open the Settings app > Apps > Messages, then tap Satellite Connection Demo.
-Turn on iMessage — To use iMessage via satellite, you need to turn on iMessage before you’re off the grid.
-Set up an emergency contact and set up Family Sharing — When you’re off the grid, your emergency contacts and members of your Family Sharing group can message you via SMS without you messaging them first. When you connect to a satellite, you’ll receive their messages. Additionally, your emergency contact (along with your location and a transcript of your messages with emergency services) will be automatically shared with emergency responders if you use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services.
-Encourage your contacts to update their iPhone — To receive iMessages via satellite, your contact needs to have iOS 18 or later. To reply to SMS messages via satellite, your contact needs to have iOS 17.6 or later or a non-Apple device.
Use Messages via satellite
-When your iPhone detects that you’re off the grid, it alerts you — on the Lock Screen, you get a prompt that you can send and receive messages via satellite. Otherwise, you get a notification to Use Messages via Satellite when you open the Messages app.
-When you connect to satellite, you’ll also see the option to text emergency services using Emergency SOS via satellite, get help with car troubles using Roadside Assistance via satellite, and share your location using Find My via satellite (where these services are available).
-To send a message, just open the Messages app — you’ll be prompted to start accepting messages, if you haven't already, and your iPhone provides instructions to connect to a satellite to send a text. If you have iPhone 14 Pro or later, the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen has indicator dots that show the strength of your connection and, if your connection could be improved, arrows that direct you to turn left or right. You can tap the Dynamic Island to open Connection Assistant for more help.
-When you connect and start accepting messages via satellite, you'll receive any SMS messages that were sent from your emergency contact or members of your Family Sharing group before you started accepting messages via satellite. You won't receive iMessages until your emergency contact or family member returns to the conversation and taps Send via Satellite underneath their message bubble.
-Messages sent via satellite might take a little longer to send. In ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and horizon, a message might take 30 seconds to send. It might take over a minute to send under light or medium foliage. You might not be able to connect to a satellite under heavy foliage or if you’re surrounded by other obstructions.
-Some Messages features aren’t supported when using a satellite connection. You can’t send or receive photos or videos, audio messages, stickers, or messages in a group message.
-If you can’t send an iMessage via satellite, you can use SMS messaging via satellite*. This might happen if your contact has an older version of iOS, uses a non-Apple device, or if you haven't sent them an iMessage recently.
Other ways to access satellite features
When you're off the grid, you can also find satellite features through the Connection Assistant:
In Control Center: Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, then tap the Cellular button on the right. Tap Satellite, then choose Messages via satellite (or another satellite feature).
In the Settings app: Open Settings, then tap Satellite and choose Messages via satellite (or another satellite feature).
