Your iPhone Has Satellite Capabilities That Could Help You During a Hurricane
Image: Courtesy Apple
As Sarasota and Manatee residents prepare for the impacts of Hurricane Milton, it's important to know how to connect to emergency services even if your power and cell service go down.
Luckily, all Apple iPhone models 14 and later, as well as Google Pixel 9 series phones, have satellite functionality to allow you to connect to emergency services even when you're off the grid.
Here's how to use them.
Image: Courtesy Apple
How to Use Emergency SOS Via Satellite on Your iPhone
To connect to a satellite, you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. When you use a satellite connection, the experience is different than sending or receiving a message via cellular.
When you use Emergency SOS via satellite, you can also share your medical ID information and notify your emergency contacts. However, you need to set up this information before going somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
How to Text Emergency Services via Satellite
First, try calling the local emergency number (usually 911) to reach emergency services. Even if your normal cellular carrier network isn't available, you might be able to make the call.
If your call won't connect, you can text emergency services via satellite. Keep in mind that certain local emergency numbers require iOS 16.4 or later to connect to emergency services via satellite, so make sure your software is up to date.
- Tap "Emergency Text via Satellite."
- Tap "Report emergency."
- Answer the emergency questions (again, using taps) to best describe your situation.
- Choose if you want to notify your emergency contacts and share the location and the nature of your emergency.
- To connect to a satellite, follow the onscreen instructions.
- After you're connected, continue following the onscreen instructions to stay connected while you send your message to emergency services.
Once you’re connected, your iPhone starts a text conversation with emergency responders by sharing critical information like your Medical ID and emergency contact information (if you have set it up), the emergency questionnaire answers, your location (including elevation), and the remaining battery life for your iPhone.
You might also be asked to respond to additional messages. This service supports English, American Spanish, Canadian French, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese.
Share Information With Your Emergency Contacts
If you set up emergency contacts in Apple's Health app, you can choose to notify and share information with them when you text emergency services with Emergency SOS via satellite. When you choose to share this information, your emergency contacts get these messages automatically.
If your emergency contacts use iMessage on iOS 16.1 or later, you can share a live transcript of your conversation with emergency services. This includes your answers to the emergency questionnaire, a map with your location and the messages that you exchange with emergency services.
Source: apple.com
Get Emergency Help via Satellite With a Google Pixel Phone and eSOS
If you’re in an emergency situation without Wi-Fi or mobile network, you can try to connect with emergency services through satellite and your Google phone. This feature is currently available only in the continental United States and only on Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold phones.
You'll also need to make sure that Google Messages is your default messaging app to use this service. If you change your default messaging app, you'll get a notification that Satellite eSOS will no longer be available.
How to Access Satellite SOS
To contact emergency services when you don’t have a network coverage on your Pixel phone:
- Dial 911 immediately. If you don’t have a mobile or Wi-Fi network, you'll find an option to use Satellite SOS in the dialer.
- Tap "Satellite SOS."
- To describe your emergency, fill out the emergency questionnaire.
- To connect to the satellite, follow the on-screen prompts to correctly position your phone. (Note that connection and response times vary based on location, site conditions, and other factors.)
- Once you’re connected, the emergency service provider should reply via text within a few minutes. To receive replies, stay outside with a clear view of the sky. When you want to end the satellite text conversation, press the "End" button and follow the prompts.
Share Information With Your Emergency Contacts
To share your emergency with your emergency contacts, answer the on-screen questions. To notify your emergency contacts, tap "Notify." If you don’t want your emergency contacts to receive your location and emergency information, tap "Don’t notify."
Source: google.com
