Highlights
- iPhone 14 and 15 users activated before Sept 9, 2025 will get free satellite features until at least mid-2026.
- Services rely on Globalstar’s network and are unavailable in select regions like China, Russia, and Belarus despite device availability.
- Apple hasn’t announced a paid plan, fueling speculation that life-saving features may remain free.
Apple has officially announced that iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users will get an additional year of free access to its satellite communication services. The company revealed this extension in press materials for the newly launched iPhone 17 and iPhone Air models.
According to Apple, “The free trial will be extended for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users who have activated their device in a country that supports Apple’s satellite features prior to 12AM PT on September 9, 2025.”
This means that all eligible iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 devices activated before the deadline will continue to enjoy free access to satellite features until at least mid-September 2026.
Originally, free satellite access for iPhone 15 models was set to expire this month, while iPhone 14 users were supposed to lose access in September 2024. Apple has now extended the trial period twice for iPhone 14 owners, fueling speculation about whether the company plans to eventually charge for these services. Apple has not confirmed any pricing structure so far.
Some industry watchers believe Apple may never put these safety features behind a paywall. As one Redditor argued after last year’s announcement, “I can’t see Apple ever charging for [Emergency SOS via satellite]. The positive PR of ‘saved by Apple’ is too good, and the negative PR of ‘died because they didn’t pay $3’ is too bad.”
For now, the features remain free and include Emergency SOS via satellite, roadside assistance requests, messaging friends and family, and location sharing when users are outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
Apple relies on Globalstar’s satellite network to power these services. However, availability varies by region. The features are not supported on iPhones sold in Armenia, Belarus, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, even though Apple sells devices in these markets.
With the extension, Apple is ensuring that more iPhone users continue to benefit from these life-saving satellite features, at least through late 2026.
FAQs
Q1. Which iPhones are eligible for the extended free satellite services?
Answer. iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models activated before 12AM PT on September 9, 2025, in supported countries will receive free satellite access until mid-September 2026.
Q2. What iPhone satellite features are included in the free trial?
Answer. Users get Emergency SOS via satellite, roadside assistance requests, location sharing, and messaging when outside cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
Q3. Are these satellite services available worldwide?
Answer. No, Apple’s satellite features are unavailable in regions like China, Russia, Belarus, and others, even though iPhones are sold in those markets.