With Hurricane Milton set to be the second major hurricane to hit the U.S. in less than a month, the country’s infrastructure is under pressure. After a natural disaster, when power and cell service are out, connecting to 911 and friends and family via satellite from your smartphone can be a real lifeline.

Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite (on iPhone 14, 15, and 16) and Google’s Satellite SOS (on Pixel 9 phones) can connect you to emergency services when you don’t have cell service or Wi-Fi. These services require no setup – simply dial 911 from a supported phone to reach emergency services via text and satellite communications.

A new satellite messaging feature on newer iPhones debuted with iOS 18 this month. (There is no equivalent feature for Google Pixel.) This feature is not designed for emergencies like the SOS service, but it can connect you with friends and family when needed. It is currently available on iPhone 14 models and newer models running iOS 18. People affected by Hurricane Helene posted on social media how this service helped them spread the word that they were OK after the disaster.

There are a few things you need to do before you can use iPhone’s satellite messaging (see below), but it works with iMessage or SMS provided you’re in the US or Canada, your SIM card is active, and your carrier supports it. The edge confirmed it works with Verizon and AT&T, and we’ve contacted T-Mobile.

Apple and Android’s Satellite SOS features work on iPhone 14 and later and Pixel 9 models, respectively, and do not require carrier support.

All of these satellite services are available to anyone with the supported hardware and are currently free. To function, a clear view of the open sky is required. You must therefore stay outdoors, away from trees or large buildings, and avoid cloud cover.

Below we’ll cover emergency satellite messaging and then explain how to set up the new messaging service available in iOS 18. We’ll also show you how to share your location via satellite from your iPhone.

You can contact 911 with an iPhone 14 or later without cellular coverage or Wi-Fi. No prior setup is required, but as with all satellite services, you will need a clear view of the sky.

1. First, dial 911. If the call fails, tap Emergency text via satellite to text emergency services.
2. Alternatively, you can go to the Messages app and text 911 or SOS, then tap Emergency services.
3. Knock Report an emergency and follow the on-screen instructions.

The text conversation includes information such as your medical ID and emergency contact information, your location, questionnaire answers, and remaining battery life. If you have emergency contacts set up in the Health app, you can also choose to automatically share information with them.

If your contacts don’t have iMessage on an iPhone with iOS 16.1 or later, they’ll receive an SMS notification. In this case, they will receive a transcript of your messages to emergency services and a map of your location.

When you call 911 on Google Pixel 9 devices (Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold), you can use satellite connectivity when cellular service or Wi-Fi is not available. Here’s how to do it.

1. Make sure Google Messages is your default messaging app.
2. Dial 911 – if you have no cell service and are not connected to Wi-Fi, you will see the Satellite SOS option. Knock Satellite SOS > Use Satellite SOS > Start.
3. You will then be asked to fill out an emergency questionnaire.
4. Once finished, you will be given the option to notify your emergency contacts.
5. Next, a series of on-screen prompts will help you point your phone to the satellite. (Google adds that connection and response times vary depending on “location, site conditions and other factors.”)
6. Stay outside and have a clear view of the sky while waiting for an emergency response via text message.

The new satellite messaging feature works on iPhones 14 or newer with iOS 18. It must be activated before you are out of service. So set it up now to ensure it’s available when you need it. You can also demo the service before you are no longer connected to the network.

1. Upgrade to iOS 18.
2. Make sure iMessage is turned on. go to Settings > Apps > Messages > iMessage.
3. Have your friends and family update to iOS 18. The person you are messaging must be using iOS 18 to send you an iMessage. Otherwise SMS will be used by default.
4. Update your Family Sharing group and emergency contact. Once you send a message via satellite, that person can respond. However, you can only receive a message from someone in your family group or an emergency contact before sending a message.
5. If your recipient doesn’t have iOS 18, your message will be sent as an SMS. To make sure this works, go to Settings > Apps > Messages and switch on Send as a text message.

1. Go to the Messages app.
2. If cell service or Wi-Fi is not available, a satellite alert will automatically appear.
3. Knock Use satellite news.
4. Follow the instructions to connect to a satellite. A green dot and satellite icon will appear at the top of your phone.
5. If your connection is weak, it will turn orange and an arrow will point in the direction you need to move to find a signal.
6. Enter your message and click Send. The transfer may take a few minutes. Anyone you message will see a status informing them that you are messaging via satellite.

You can share your location via satellite with the Find My app, but you’ll need to set it up in advance and use an iPhone 14 or later with iOS 16.1 or later.

1. Go to the Find My app on your iPhone and turn it on Share my location.
2. If you’re outside of cellular and Wi-Fi service, open the Find My app.
3. Knock Me at the bottom of the screen.
4. Knock Send my location and follow the on-screen instructions; You can send your location every 15 minutes.