Satellite connectivity is available on both the iPhone and on Android devices. Jeffrey Hazelwood/PCMag Composite; Google/Apple/NicoElNino/Via Getty

The words "satellite phone" probably conjure up an image of a clunky mobile monstrosity straight out of a spy thriller. These bulky and utilitarian traditional satellite phones are typically required in remote locations where cellular networks are unavailable. Nowadays, however, satellite connectivity can be found in regular smartphones too, thanks to new hardware innovations and unique partnerships with satellite network providers. 

They can't fully replace traditional satellite phones, but in an emergency situation, this feature can be a real lifesaver. This kind of connectivity has already proven useful in rescuing people from Hurricanes Milton and Helene, the recent wildfires in Los Angeles and the deadly fires in Maui. There are also several reported cases of the Emergency SOS texting feature rescuing lost hikers. While satellite connectivity isn't in every phone right now, it's clear that there's a real need for it, and don't be surprised to see even more of this feature in years to come. 

What is satellite connectivity in phones?

If a phone has satellite connectivity, it can connect to a satellite when you don't have a cellular signal. This feature debuted in Apple's iPhone 14 in 2022 and has since been incorporated in subsequent iPhones as well as certain Android phones like Google's Pixel 9 and Samsung's Galaxy S25. Some phones have satellite connectivity regardless of carrier for a period of time (like recent iPhones and the Pixel 9), while others require a specific carrier due to partnerships and hardware compatibility (like Galaxy S25 phones on Verizon). 

Apple provides satellite connectivity in partnership with Globalstar, its affiliates and third-party network providers. However, Apple doesn't provide satellite connectivity in models purchased in Armenia, Belarus, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Kazakhstan or Russia. Google partnered with Skylo for its satellite service, which currently works only in the continental US and on Pixel 9 devices. 

Several US carriers have also recently started to provide satellite connectivity. Verizon, for example, has partnered with Skylo to provide its satellite messaging service to specific satellite-enabled phones like the Galaxy S25 and the Pixel 9 series. T-Mobile, on the other hand, has partnered with SpaceX's Starlink, which uses a "direct-to-cell" technology that doesn't require the phone to have a specialized satellite modem. 

Regardless of the kind of satellite connectivity your phone has, it still needs one important thing to work properly: connection with a satellite. Not only are these satellites hundreds of miles away in space, but they also orbit the Earth at a quick pace. You definitely need to be outside for the best satellite connection possible. You also want a direct view of the sky and to be away from tall trees or heavy foliage. Even then, a message might take 30 seconds or more to send depending on the rest of your surroundings, the length of the message and the status of the satellite network. 

How can I use satellite connectivity?

The most obvious benefit of satellite connectivity in phones is SOS messaging. Apple calls its service Emergency SOS, while Google calls its service Satellite SOS. Like the names suggest, these services let you contact an emergency dispatcher when you have no phone signal. Apple also added other related satellite connectivity features to its iPhones, such as Roadside Assistance via satellite and Send Location via satellite (via the Find My feature). 

In 2024, Apple added a Messages via satellite feature to iOS 18 that allows iMessages or SMS messages to be sent and received by satellite to anyone, not just emergency services. It supports emoji, tapbacks, and iMessage bubbles and screen effects, but you can't send or receive photos or videos, and it doesn't support group chats. The recipient must also have iOS 18 or newer to receive iMessages (replying to an SMS message via satellite requires iOS 17.6 or later or a non-Apple phone). This works no matter which carrier you use for your phone. 

Verizon customers who have either a Galaxy S25 or a Pixel 9 handset can send and receive text messages via satellite to any device, along with SOS emergency services. Those who use T-Mobile's Starlink service, called T-Satellite, can send and receive messages to anyone as well. Right now, picture messaging, voice calls and data aren't supported, but T-Mobile plans to add them soon. 

One especially interesting aspect of T-Satellite, is that it's open not just to T-Mobile customers but those from other carriers as well. The service is free for now during its beta trial period, which ends on July 22. Once the full service launches in July, it will remain free for T-Mobile customers on Go5G Next or Experience More plans. Otherwise, T-Satellite is $10 a month for T-Mobile customers on other plans, as well as for Verizon and AT&T customers.

As of this writing, Verizon is offering its satellite messaging service for free. Apple and Google have both said they'll provide their respective satellite services for free for the first two years. It's unclear what happens after that, but Apple has previously extended satellite service for iPhone 14 owners. 

How do I know if my phone has satellite connectivity?

Emergency SOS might be one of the most important features to come out on any phone this year. Kevin Heinz/CNET

As of this writing, only certain phones come with built-in satellite connectivity. In the US this includes the iPhone 14 and newer, the Pixel 9 series as well as the Galaxy S25. The recent iPhones and the Pixel 9 series can connect to satellites when you lose your connection to a cellular network, while the Galaxy S25 requires a carrier like Verizon. The Pixel 9 can also use Verizon's satellite service. These phones come with specialized hardware and satellite modems that enable satellite connectivity right off the bat. 

Thanks to T-Mobile's partnership with Starlink, however, more phones could have satellite connectivity even on existing hardware. T-Mobile's Starlink satellite service (also known as T-Satellite) is currently compatible with "satellite optimized" phones such as the iPhone 14 and newer, the Pixel 9 series, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024, the Galaxy S24 and newer, the Galaxy A36 series, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Galaxy Z Fold 6. In this instance, "satellite optimization" simply means being able to seamlessly connect with a satellite in the absence of a cellular network. 

You'll know your phone has satellite connectivity if you can find the "Satellite" option in Settings or Control Center, usually when you're out of Wi-Fi or cellular network coverage. There'll often be a satellite icon or "SAT" symbol where the cellular symbol would be. 

Can I use satellite connectivity while having a cellular signal?

No, you generally can't have satellite and cellular connectivity at the same time. Satellite connectivity is designed to be used as a fallback when Wi-Fi or cellular networks are not available. 

What are the limitations of satellite connectivity?

At the moment, satellite connectivity is limited to text messaging, with no support for multimedia, voice calls or data. As mentioned earlier, there are also potential physical restrictions to contend with. If you're indoors or under heavy foliage or you don't have a clear line of sight of the sky, satellite connectivity could be an issue. There is also a lack of coverage in the water off the coasts. 

Update, May 7: T-Satellite is free for T-Mobile customers on Go5G Next or Experience More plans and is $10 per month for other users on other T-Mobile plans and for Verizon and AT&T subscribers.

Update, July 11: The free period for the T-Satellite program is nearly over. The beta program will end on July 22nd. 

Steps You Can Take Right Now to Avoid an Overheated Phone

We're barely into summer and already the US has seen a devastating heat dome pushing temperatures to uncomfortable heights. And if you're hot, know that your phone is even hotter, which can make it turn off abruptly or potentially damage the battery.But there's no need to get hot and bothered, especially when you know these easy ways to keep your iPhone or Android phone from overheating.See also: What else can you do to keep cool? Here are more practical tips for your phone, plus ways to stay cool indoors.

Manufacturers like to boast about how bright their phone screens can get, allowing you to see your display clearly even in direct sunlight. Pushing the intensity of those pixels to 1,000 or 2,000 nits of peak brightness is great for reading what's on the screen, but sustaining that level uses more power and generates more heat than when you're inside or in the shade.Plus, direct sunlight delivers radiant heat to items like metal and glass, increasing the temperature of your device. If you need to use your phone for an extended period of time during sunny, hot days, find some shade to protect both it and you.

If you don't want to expose the phone to the sun, what about keeping it in a car while you're frolicking on the beach? Setting aside the risk of having it nabbed in a break-in, cars turn into hotboxes on sunny days, which can easily push past the recommended operating temperatures. It's better to take the phone with you.Which reminds me: I know you'd never leave a pet in a hot car, but they can get overheated elsewhere. Here's how to take care of your vulnerable furry friends.

It's normal for a phone to heat up while it's charging -- the phone's surface dissipates that heat away from the inside by design. But if you're using a bulky case, the heat could get trapped. If the phone seems to be heating up too much when plugged in, remove the case before charging.

Heat doesn't just come from the outside environment.Your phone's processor has to work a lot harder when you do something like play graphics-intensive games, which can generate more heat than usual from within your device.And playing these games can also drain your battery quickly, so it's natural to want to plug into power.However, this combination of high processing and charging increases the heat generation even more, leading to overheating.

Video recording is resource-intensive, capturing and storing multiple megabytes of data per second and usually processing that footage at the same time. Even expensive mirrorless cameras capable of shooting high-quality video hit thermal ceilings (or have add-on fans to dissipate the heat). If you're recording lengthy clips, you may need to pause for a few minutes between them to allow the phone to cool down.

It's just a power charger, so why not get the cheapest one? Be wary of amazingly low prices, because they're often attached to knock-off products that don't include safety electronics for regulating power throughput and preventing overheating. It's better to pay slightly more and get a recommended USB-C charger or power bank that you know you can trust.

It sounds like the worst sort of overly general advice: Make sure your device's software is up to date. And yet it's usually good advice, especially in this case. For example, a bug in iOS 17, plus a problem with some apps, including Instagram and Uber, caused many iPhone 15 Pro phones to overheating. Apple soon released an update to fix the problem.Note that it's normal for a phone to warm up during and after a system update as the software optimizes data in the background. However, this is a temporary temperature elevation.Also, if you're running prerelease software such as the iOS 26 beta or the latest Android 16 beta, it's not uncommon for phones to run a little hot because the software usually doesn't get optimized for battery life until just before launch.

If you can't avoid the heat and often find yourself waiting for the phone to cool, consider buying an inexpensive thermal phone pouch to store it in. Using materials designed to protect astronauts from temperature extremes, a pouch will reflect direct sunlight and heat away from the phone. Thermal pouches also work at the other end of the spectrum, protecting your phone from cold weather, such as when you're skiing.

If overheating becomes a frequent problem -- and the phone isn't exposed to the other situations mentioned in this gallery -- a faulty or failing battery might be the cause.First, see what the phone is telling you: on the iPhone, go to Settings > Battery and check Battery Health. On Android, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Diagnostics (Pixel) or Settings > Battery information (Samsung). If the functionality is degraded, it might be time to schedule a battery replacement.And if the phone is bulging, cracked or shows other signs of a swollen battery, turn it off and contact the company's support programs immediately. That's a less likely circumstance, but with lithium-ion batteries, you don't want to mess around with safety.