SpaceX says T-Mobile customers in areas affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton can now send SMS texts via Starlink satellites. It is offered on a best-effort basis and free of charge.

“We have now enabled basic text messaging (SMS) for those using T-Mobile phones in hurricane-affected areas,” SpaceX says. “Text messages have already been sent and received. You can text your loved ones, text 911 and continue to receive emergency alerts.”

If your phone connects to a Starlink satellite instead of the usual antenna, you’ll see 1 to 2 service bars and the network name will be “T-Mobile SpaceX,” according to SpaceX. You may need to retry text messages if they don’t arrive, and SpaceX says the service works “best outdoors” and “occasionally works indoors near a window.”

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this week gave SpaceX and T-Mobile preliminary approval for direct-to-cell service for areas affected by Hurricane Helene, where their satellites were used to transmit emergency alerts to all phones and wireless carriers . Now SpaceX says the FCC “also quickly approved a temporary special authorization for emergency response in Florida in advance of Hurricane Milton.”