Expanding its use of low-flying satellites for iPhone models starting with iPhone 14, Apple added Messages to the feature set available with the release of iOS 18. But there are plenty of notes footer on how it works when you’re away from cellular and Wi-Fi networks which may require careful preparation if you want to rely on the service.
Messages via satellite are bidirectional: once connected to a satellite (using the on-device wizard in Messages or via the Network > Satellite menu in the Control Center), you can send and receive messages. Other people can also message you whenever you are online under the right circumstances.
With an iPhone 14 or later and iOS 18, swipe to display Control Center, tap the Cellular pane icon on the right, then tap Satellite > Try Demo to see all options and test connection .
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Advanced requirements
You must activate iMessage when you are still on a Wi-Fi or cellular network and must have a SIM card with an active cellular service plan. Satellite messages rely on the cellular network for its functionality.
For now, you can only use Satellite Messages in the United States and Canada, although models sold worldwide and used in those countries by residents (people with a local cellular plan) or visitors (people roaming on other plans) will work. (The only exception is that iPhones sold in Armenia, Belarus, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Kazakhstan and Russia do not have satellite functionality.)
If you plan to use iMessage with someone, you must have “recently” exchanged messages with them using iMessage. Apple doesn’t define what this means. Testing with a friend who logged out and with whom I hadn’t exchanged an iMessage in a while (we use Slack and other methods), I only saw text messages. However, when I responded, it initially seemed to send via iMessage before switching back to SMS for subsequent messages.
When iMessage is used
Apple creates an iMessage connection between an iPhone using the satellite connection and an iPhone running iOS 18.0 or later. The recipient must have an iPhone to receive messages, although iMessage should work on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. We have to assume that there is a phone network component to the connection setup that requires an iPhone to be part of the mix.
Your iPhone notifies you when satellite messages are available. Tap to connect to a satellite.
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If the receiving iPhone is not running iOS 18.0 or later, the sending phone transmits messages via standard SMS text messaging. (Colleagues told me they’ve seen iMessage working with version 17.6, but Apple’s documentation says version 18.0 or later is required.)
A limited set of iMessage features are supported: you can send and receive text, but not photos, stickers, or audio messages, and all connections are individual: no iMessage group communication.
People can reply to you by sending a message and then tapping a Send via Satellite link. Messages sent this way have a dotted blue outline until they are transmitted.
Your iPhone helps you stay connected (left). On the right, a recipient receives signals in your conversation, such as a Send via Satellite link to send their iMessage.
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When SMS is used
If a recipient has a non-Apple device or an iPhone that’s not yet running version 18.0 or later, Messages reverts to SMS messaging. People can text back if they’re using a non-Apple device or if they have iOS 17.6 or later installed. For some reason, people with an iPhone with iOS 17.5 or earlier cannot respond.
Messages via SMS are queued if the person using a satellite is temporarily unavailable. They are then delivered later, via satellite or cellular network.
Let others message you
Apple allows a limited number of people to message you when you have satellite connectivity before contacting them. They must be in your Family Sharing group or listed in your emergency contacts. Make sure you have added the appropriate people before leaving a usual coverage area.
People in these categories can text you whenever you are connected by satellite. If they are eligible to use iMessage, the conversation should be “upgraded” to iMessage after your response.
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