Analysis: Will the iPhone 18 get full satellite connectivity?
For years, iPhones have dominated narrowband satellite communication. Speculations persist that Apple will expand the feature.
Antenna for receiving Starlink internet.
(Image: GamElon/Shutterstock.com)
There isn't really much you can do with the satellite communication built into the iPhone. Since the iPhone 14 from 2022, the devices have had a receiving and sending function, but you can't surf with it. Instead, only $(LEhttps://support.apple.com/de-de/105097:narrowband functions|_blank) like Emergency Call via Satellite and sharing location data via "Find My" work. But much more could happen in the future: Apple plans to integrate "real" satellite communication with more throughput for later iPhones – and a iMessage function even before that. The most important questions and answers.
How does satellite communication work on the iPhone currently, and which devices are supported?
Satellite functions on the iPhone are supported by all iPhone models from the 14 series onwards. This includes all variants of iPhone 14, 15, 16, and 17, the iPhone 16e, and the iPhone Air. The exception are devices sold in Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and mainland China, including Hong Kong and Macau. However, devices from Hong Kong and Macau are satellite-capable from the iPhone 16e or newer.
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To use satellite communication, you need to be outdoors with a clear view of the sky. The connection is not fast: "Under ideal conditions with a clear view of the sky and horizon, sending a message can take 30 seconds," Apple states. You should not stand under trees with foliage, as this reduces connection quality. Regions where the technology is officially supported include Australia, Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Canada, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. With the Apple Watch Ultra 3, satellite internet is also possible, but in Europe limited to the emergency call function.
Who provides the satellite technology?
Currently, Apple's partner is Globalstar. However, there could be changes in the future. According to media reports, Globalstar is considering a sale for up to 10 billion US dollars, and Apple itself is unlikely to make a bid. For this reason, there is a possibility that Apple will switch to a competitor – and that would be Musk's company SpaceX or its satellite internet sister Starlink. According to a report from the IT news service The Information from last month, there are efforts in this regard. It is said that Musk's company has acquired frequencies in the areas that Apple uses for iPhone communication.
How does iMessage via satellite work?
In only a few regions worldwide does Apple offer a free way to send iMessage messages via satellite. The service is intended to be free for at least two years. It will initially be available in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and also runs from the iPhone 14. The minimum requirement is iOS 18, and the service is intended for situations where neither cellular reception nor Wi-Fi is available.
Text messages, emojis, and tapbacks (i.e., emoji reactions) can be sent and received. Images are not supported. Apple states that sending can also occur via SMS in some cases. Here too, you need a clear view of the sky. No information has yet been provided on when Apple will expand availability to Europe and other regions. The company cites regulatory issues as the reason.
When will "real" satellite internet come to the iPhone?
Apple's current iPhone models are not yet technically capable of using satellite internet in 5G quality. This is expected at the earliest with the iPhone 18, which will likely be released in autumn 2026. According to The Information, the devices will be compatible with 5G networks for the first time that are "not tied to the Earth's surface," meaning also with 5G via satellite.
This would enable real internet via satellite instead of narrowband functions. Who the provider will be remains unclear. Talks with Starlink are reportedly underway. Meanwhile, Starlink has already shown on 4G frequencies that a lot is possible: The US subsidiary of the mobile provider T-Mobile offers support for various apps like Google Maps, X, or WhatsApp on the iPhone via satellite. The service operates outside of Apple's own offering.
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