Apple’s free iPhone satellite access has been extended for another year, according to a footnote in the company’s iPhone 18 Pro press release. The extension now covers existing iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 users, ensuring they retain complimentary use of the tools designed to keep them connected outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
The company first brought satellite connectivity to iPhone with the iPhone 14 lineup, initially offering Emergency SOS via satellite alongside the ability to share a location through Find My via satellite. At launch, Apple stated that access would be free for two years.
How the satellite features have grown
Since that debut, Apple has broadened its satellite offering to include Roadside Assistance via satellite and Messages via satellite. These tools are now collectively described as the company’s satellite features.
Apple has repeatedly extended free access over the years. In November 2023, it added a further year of Emergency SOS via satellite for existing iPhone 14 users. A subsequent extension covered the full range of satellite features for existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users. Without a fresh extension, free access would have begun to lapse for some users later this year.
Who qualifies for the new extension
The latest extension applies to existing iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 users. The free trial will be extended for those who activated their device in a country that supports Apple’s satellite features prior to midnight PT on 9 September.
Because Apple grants buyers of new iPhones one year of free access, purchasers of the new iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo will receive their own free year. Meanwhile, existing iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 users covered by the extension will also gain another year of complimentary access.
When outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, the satellite features help iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max users stay connected and obtain assistance in critical moments. Details on feature availability by country are published on Apple’s support pages.
Apple has not announced how much it intends to charge for its satellite features once the free access period concludes. As these are potentially life-saving tools tied to emergency services, the eventual pricing remains unconfirmed. For now, free access has been extended for a further year for existing iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 users.
Source
Image: 9to5mac.com
