One of the most significant features found on the iPhone 14 and 15 series is the ability to contact emergency services in remote regions without cellular service. Emergency SOS via Satellite, which Apple announced in 2022, has been critical for helping people stranded reach emergency services without a phone signal. This past summer it helped a couple trapped in their car during the wildfires in Maui.
Beyond the clouds and sky, hundreds of miles above the Earth, flying by at 16,000 mph, are communications satellites. They’re too high to be seen by the human eye, but could be vital for getting you help when you (or someone you love) is stranded, injured and out of cell service range. The iPhone 14 and 15 can connect to these satellites to contact an emergency dispatcher even when you can’t make a phone call. You can also share your location with loved ones via a satellite without sending a message.
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Like Car Crash Detection, Emergency SOS via Satellite is something you hope you won’t ever have to use. If you want to try the service out for yourself, Apple added in a built-in demo mode that lets you connect to a satellite without calling 911.
How to use Emergency SOS via Satellite on the iPhone 14 and 15
The first thing you need to know about Emergency SOS via Satellite is that you don’t need to know anything. The service is designed to work on its own, and the interface will walk you through the process step by step.
The second thing you should know is that using Emergency SOS is equivalent to calling 911. In fact, that’s actually how you use it. Dial 911, and if your phone can’t connect, an option to text emergency services via satellite appears. To get started, tap the Emergency Text via Satellite button. (You can also go to Messages to text 911 or SOS, and then tap Emergency Services.)
Watch this: I Tried Emergency SOS via Satellite on the iPhone 14
When I tried the feature out, there was a satellite icon on the top…
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