Kerry Wan

As Florida faces Hurricane Milton right on the heels of Hurricane Helene, communications is one critical area likely to be affected. People in the state may not be able to rely on cellular or Wi-Fi service to call emergency personnel for help or loved ones for comfort. 

Also: How to use Android's emergency satellite texting if you lose cell signal

To deal with disruptions to cellular connectivity, iPhone owners can instead turn to satellite connections. Apple offers three features that can help help.

1. Emergency SOS via Satellite

With Emergency SOS via Satellite, iPhone users can send text messages to emergency responders. But rather than travel through a cellular or Wi-Fi network, the messages use satellites to go back and forth. Introduced late last year with iOS 16.1, this feature is available on all iPhone 14, 15, and 16 models. There's no need for a separate app or software update; Emergency SOS via Satellite works automatically when needed.

Also: 5 hurricane-tracking apps I'm using to keep an eye on Hurricane Milton from South Florida

Once your phone has access to the satellite service, you'll see a notification badge in the Settings app and an item labeled "Get Help During an Emergency." You can also check the feature by opening the Settings app and selecting "Emergency SOS." Swipe to the bottom of the page where you'll see "Emergency SOS via Satellite" and an option to try the demo (more on that in a minute).

Apple

How to use Emergency SOS via Satellite

If you're ever in an emergency situation and in an area with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, dial 911 as you normally would. The call screen on your iPhone will alert you that you don't have coverage to place the call, and a green message button with a red SOS sign will show up. Tap the button that says "Emergency Text via Satellite."

Also: I'm a tech pro - but when a hurricane hit my mountain home, the disconnection shocked me

Alternatively, open the Messages app, start a text message thread to 911, and select "Emergency Services."

Next, you'll be asked five questions about your situation. Your answers are then shared with first responders. The first question asks what type of emergency you're experiencing. Next, you'll be asked who needs help and if anyone is injured. You're then given a list of emergency descriptions to pick from (stranded, trapped, lost, other). Finally, you're asked if you're on steep terrain, in water, in a cave, or if none of those applies.

Apple

After answering the emergency questions, you'll be asked if you want to alert your emergency contacts. If you select yes, anyone you've added as an emergency contact in the Health app will receive an alert disclosing your location, your answers to the questionnaire, and live updates of any messages exchanged between you and emergency responders.

The entire process is simple and streamlined, mirroring a typical text message conversation. The biggest and most important difference, however, is that you're connected to a satellite hundreds of miles above Earth.

Also: Storm coming? Take these steps to prep your tech before weather emergencies strike

With that in mind, be sure to follow the directions on your iPhone to ensure that your phone is connected to the satellite. To help you keep the line of communication open, a radar-like circle appears with the top section showing an area that turns green when your phone is pointed at and connected to the satellite.

When you're sending and receiving messages, keep your phone pointed in the right direction, otherwise the messages won't go through. Sending a message could take upward of 30 to 45 seconds or longer, depending on the strength of your connection with the satellite.

Screenshots by Jason Cipriani

Try it before you need it with demo mode

Remember that demo mode mentioned previously? This gives you a chance to see what it's like to send and receive messages while connected to a satellite. Go through the demo process at least once to get acquainted with how it works. Then you'll know the steps if you ever do need to use it in a real emergency.

Also: The best satellite phones of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

To access the demo, open the Settings app, select Emergency SOS from the list of options, and then swipe to the bottom of the screen to the section for "Emergency SOS via satellite." Tap "Try Demo." Make sure you're outside or otherwise have a clear view of the sky. The demo will then take you through each step.

You'll be shown how and when the feature is used and how to properly line up your phone with a satellite. You'll then be presented with a fake conversation with an emergency responder. However, messages sent and received while in demo mode actually travel between your phone and the satellite. You can even send and receive messages until you feel like you understand the process, after which you can end the demo.

2. Use a satellite to update your Find My location

Here's another feature that makes use of the satellite connectivity inside the iPhone 14, 15, and 16. You can update your location in the Find My app when you're in an area with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.

Apple

To use a satellite to update your location for people with whom you share your location, open the Find My app, select the Me tab, and then swipe up to view all the options. The section called "My Location via Satellite" will become active once your phone lacks any cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

You can use this method to update your location once every 15 minutes. The people who have access to your location will see a satellite icon alongside your Find My avatar to let them know you're in an area without any signal.

3. Messages via Satellite

The other satellite-based feature that could come to your aid is Messages via Satellite. With this one, you can exchange iMessages and SMS messages with loved ones via satellite when you have no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Like Emergency SOS via Satellite, this one works only with an iPhone 14, 15, or 16 model but also requires iOS 18 or higher. At this point, the feature is available only in the US and Canada.

Also: Above the storms: How satellite tech can be a lifesaver during natural disasters

To use Messages via Satellite, open the Messages app on your iPhone. Assuming cellular and Wi-Fi coverage are down, you'll be prompted to use Messages via Satellite instead. After following the steps to connect to a satellite, you can then start exchanging messages with other people. Messages exchanged with fellow iPhone owners will be in iMessage format. Messages exchanged with Android users will use traditional SMS.

To receive iMessages via satellite, your contacts need to be running iOS 18 or higher. To reply to SMS messages via satellite, your contacts need to have iOS 17.6 or higher.

Try the demo

You can also take Messages via Satellite for a test drive to see how it works, though the demo just shows you how to connect to a satellite. For this, go to Settings, select Apps, and then select Messages. Swipe down the screen and tap the entry for "Satellite Connection Demo." Follow the steps to find a satellite connection.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney

If you're facing Hurricane Milton or have family or friends in its path, using the iPhone's satellite features can keep you connected if cellular or Wi-Fi networks go down. But these features can come in handy in any type of emergency that impacts vital forms of communications.

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