Apple extends the lifeline for its Emergency SOS via satellite service, granting an additional two years of free access for existing iPhone 14 users. Last year, when the iPhone 14 series was released, the most exciting feature of the device was the support for emergency SOS via satellite, which was only valid for one year. Now, the brand is giving the new iPhone 14 owners two free years after device activation, which would have expired in November 2024.
The Emergency SOS via satellite service has proven to be a global lifesaver, connecting users with emergency responders in critical situations where conventional means fail. From rescuing a man whose car plunged over a 400-foot cliff in Los Angeles to locating lost hikers in the Apennine Mountains of Italy, the impact of this service has been profound.
Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, expressed the company’s delight in contributing to life-saving efforts. According to her, the emergency SOS via satellite has helped save lives around the world.
How Emergency SOS via Satellite helps
“Emergency SOS via satellite has helped save lives around the world. From a man who was rescued after his car plummeted over a 400-foot cliff in Los Angeles to lost hikers found in the Apennine Mountains in Italy, we continue to hear stories of our customers being able to connect with emergency responders when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to,” said Kaiann Drance. “We are so happy iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users can take advantage of this groundbreaking service for two more years for free.”
The extension applies to users who activate their iPhone 14 in any country supporting Emergency SOS via satellite before midnight. Pacific Time on November 15, 2023. This means that users across the globe can take advantage of this service for an extended period, fostering a sense of security for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users alike.
Available on all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature enables users to send text messages to emergency services even when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable. Additionally, users can share their location via satellite through the Find My app.
Users can send and receive messages in as little as 15 seconds when everything is working perfectly. Users are walked through a quick questionnaire via the interface, which asks for basic details like location, altitude, iPhone battery level, and if enabled, medical ID information. Apple notes that the service is intended to be used outside with an unobstructed view of the sky, but it also warns that in high-latitude regions, obstacles or satellite constraints may reduce the service’s effectiveness.
