Apple extends free iPhone satellite features for another year
Apple has extended free access to its satellite features for existing iPhone 14, 15 and 16 users for another year, according to a footnote in its iPhone 18 Pro press release.
Apple introduced satellite connectivity with the iPhone 14 lineup, initially offering Emergency SOS via satellite and the ability to share a location through Find My via satellite. At launch, Apple said access would be free for two years. The company later expanded the offering with Roadside Assistance via satellite and Messages via satellite, and now refers to them collectively as satellite features.
In November 2023, Apple extended free access to Emergency SOS via satellite by another year for existing iPhone 14 users. Last year, Apple again extended free access, this time covering its satellite features for existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users. Without another extension, free access would have begun to expire for some users later this year.
Apple disclosed the new extension in a footnote to the iPhone 18 Pro press release. The footnote said: “When outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple’s groundbreaking satellite features help iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max users stay connected and get assistance when it matters most. Apple is extending free access to satellite features for an additional year for existing iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 users. The free trial will be extended for iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 users who have activated their device in a country that supports Apple’s satellite features prior to midnight PT on September 9. For satellite feature availability, visit support.apple.com/en-us/105097.”
Apple gives buyers of new iPhones one year of free access to its satellite features. That means users who buy the new iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Duo will receive their own free year, while existing iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 users covered by the extension will also receive another year of free access.
Apple has not announced how much it plans to charge for its satellite features once the free access period ends. 9to5Mac noted that because these are potentially life-saving features, many speculate that Apple might ultimately keep at least some of them free, since charging users for access to emergency services could prove controversial.
Free access has been extended for another year. Whether this is the last extension, or whether a similar announcement will come next year, remains to be seen.