If you are out of range of cellular service and are need of help, Apple iPhone may be able to help with a text connection to low orbit satellites. This feature applies to some iPhone 14s and all models in the 15 and 16 series. Initially it was for the US, but now has made it’s way to the UK and other European countries by the end of 2022.
If you phone shows no bars for your cellular carrier but does show the SOS icon (looks like a small satellite) where your carrier bars would be, then you should be able to connect. Since the signal is weak, move to an open area outside of buildings.
How to use it – try to ring local emergency services as usual, if there is no signal, the iPhone will prompt you to use the emergency feature. Point the phone to the sky so you can try to have a stable connection. Your phone will have prompts on the screen to follow. Messages take longer to send. You will only have a text connection. Give pertinent information as briefly as possible. Answer any questions that appear. If the local emergency service does not support texting, Apple will run through local relay centers to help.
The initial message will have a short questionnaire to alert dispatchers. Be brief and to the point.. your name, location as best as your can and the situation. Dispatchers may ask for additional information.
This services can only send small amounts of data at the time so be brief. Hopefully you can share your Medial ID with EMS.
While this service is helpful for emergencies, don’t expect it to expand such as checking emails or social media.
Reportedly it was free for two years, but Apple has not applied charges so they are holding off on that at this time.
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