Apple’s Satellite Messaging: A Lifeline In Emergencies

Cell phones and smartphones are two of the greatest tools that allow us to stay connected to family and friends.

I learned this firsthand in 1989 when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck the Bay Area. I was at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park for the SF Giants and Oakland A’s World Series game. About 30 minutes before the game started, a 6.9 earthquake hit and jolted the stadium. It seemed that the entire stadium jerked forward and then back and rumbled for about five full minutes.

Amazingly, Candlestick sustained little visible damage, and once the shaking stopped, everybody mostly calmed down. However, for those with transistor radios, the news spread that some of the Bay Bridge had collapsed and many buildings were toppling. We quickly began to realize this was a massive earthquake.

I have always been a geek, frequently ridiculed for traveling with many gadgets. But this time, my geek toys were important. In 1989, cell phones were costly, so very few had them. But I had a Motorola brick cell phone, and I first called my wife to let her know we were okay. I also called three other family members to see if they were fine and let them know we were safe. Since I did this immediately, I could get a connection, but very shortly, cell services were cut off around the Bay Area, as power lines and cell towers were toppling, too.

I also had a 2-inch portable TV with me, so I could watch the early videos of the earthquake damage with our whole section crammed around me.

Fast forward to 2024.

As with the 1989 earthquake, once Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, Florida and Georgia, power and cell services were lost in the most devastated areas. It became impossible for many to check on loved ones or let family members know their status.

In a September 30, 2024, article by 9-to-5 Mac, they posted a timely story stating that the iPhone’s messaging app could now link to satellite connections. This article also included significant tweets from a few affected by Hurricane Helene.

Here are some examples they posted-

“Matt Van Swol: I’ve never been more thankful to be an iPhone user. Due to the lack of cell service, EVERYONE in Asheville NC right now on iOS 18 has been able to get messages out and in with the Satellite messaging feature. This is literally saving lives @Apple.

Mike, cyberowners.com: This new iOS 18 feature came in handy yesterday. I was able to contact my son. Unfortunately no one else in the family had the latest iOS installed so he was the only person who received my messages and later replied. When this is a Starlink feature, it will be incredible.

Xen: Also, with Verizon service absolutely dead after the hurricane, the @Apple Satellite Messaging service, was extremely helpful to reach out and let family know we were safe, etc. Such a helpful utility in times like this.”

In 2022, Apple launched the Satellite SOS service (for emergency services only) on the iPhone 14 and 15 Series.

On iPhone 14 and later models, with iOS 18, Apple has added satellite messaging that made it possible for those folks in North Carolina with dead cell phone service to still get information to their families and friends about their status.

In 1989, when I could let my wife know I was safe and she was as well, having that cell connection became a communication lifeline.

Now, with Apple’s Satellite messaging available in iOS 18, it gives us even more comfort to know that we can communicate with anyone regardless of our circumstances, wherever we are in the world. Samsung and Google are also expected to add various satellite connections in the near future.

Apple and others’ next step is to add satellite calling, but as most know, the number one way people communicate today is via messaging.

By the way, satellite messaging is the number one reason I have upgraded my wife’s iPhone 12 Pro to an iPhone 16 Pro. The knowledge that we can always be connected, especially in an emergency, is worth the cost to me, as is the peace of mind it brings.

Disclosure: Apple, Samsung and Google subscribe to Creative Strategies research reports along with many other high tech companies around the world.