Apple this week provided more details about its upcoming Messages via satellite feature which will arrive with iOS 18
Apple introduced a variety of new features to its Messages app at WWDC this week. With iOS 18 – slated to arrive this coming September – iPhone users will finally be able to schedule texts and enjoy more expansive tapback options. On top of that, one of the more intriguing and exciting new Messages features is that iPhone users can leverage satellite coverage and send texts even without a cellular and Wi-Fi connection.
Now that WWDC is wrapping up, we’ve gleaned a few more details about how the feature works. Of course, the underlying technology is no different from Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite, which enables iPhone 14 users and above to contact emergency services when outside of range. For those unfamiliar, Emergency SOS via satellite is a free service Apple provides to new iPhone users for 2 years post-activation.
Earlier this week, CNET got a hands-on look at the new iOS 18 feature with Kurt Knight, Apple’s Senior Director of World Wide Product Marketing. Knight relayed that all messages sent via satellite are end-to-end encrypted.
“It is just like using iMessage that you’re used to, super easy,” Knight said.
