Since the iPhone 14 (Pro) it is possible to report an emergency (SOS emergency notification) via a satellite connection. This function is intended for emergencies at locations where no mobile and wifin network is available.
The service has already contributed to Saving many human lives. Apple announced today that the SOS emergency notification is being extended via satellite with an extra free year for current users of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 who have activated their device before September 9, 2025 at 9:00 am.
Free Extra Year for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15
Since the introduction of SOS emergency reports via satellite, it became clear that you have to pay for this position in the long term. What the price will be for the subscription is not yet clear; Users can use the service for free for the first two years. This was also the case for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users, but Apple now has this weather Extended by a year.
The free trial period will be renewed for users of iPhone 14 (Pro) and iPhone 15 (Pro) who have activated their device before September 9, 2025 at 9:00 am in a country that supports SOS emergency notification via satellite.
The free period remains the same for iPhone 16 users. This means that iPhone 14- and iPhone 15 customers will see their free periods about the same time, from September 2026. It may give Apple more time to decide on price plans for these functions.
Operation SOS emergency reports via satellite
SOS emergency notification via satellite can help you make contact with emergency services in exceptional circumstances when there is no other way to reach emergency services. For example, if you cannot make a ‘normal’ connection with emergency services because you are outside the reach of a mobile or wifin network. In that situation, the iPhone tries to connect to emergency services via a satellite. The communication will be done on the basis of text messages.
Satellites are moving objects with a limited bandwidth, which can take a few minutes before a message has been sent. Because every second counts, when using SOS emergency notification via satellite, the iPhone asks important questions in advance to determine the situation of the user. These questions and subsequent messages are then forwarded to centers with specialists trained by Apple, who can ask for help on behalf of the user.
Sending a message will take approximately 15 seconds under most ideal conditions (direct view of the air and the horizon). In a wooded area you have to take into account more than a minute.
At locations with dense afforestation, or if you are surrounded by other obstacles, you may not be able to connect to a satellite. The connection times can also be influenced by other environmental factors, the length of the message and the status and availability of the satellite network.
Instructions are given on the iPhone on how to focus the phone to connect to a satellite. This allows the antennas in the iPhone to connect directly to a satellite.