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Communications · Regional and long-distance: amateur radio and satellite · comms-23Check what your phone can already do by satellite
Some recent phones can send an emergency message by satellite with no mobile signal. Check yours before buying extra gear, and know its limits.
How
- Apple example: Emergency SOS via satellite works on iPhone 14 or later, in about 20 listed countries.
- Apple's list includes the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, much of Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Many regions are not on it, so check the current list for where you live and travel.
- It works only outdoors with a clear view of the sky and horizon, and only where there is no mobile or Wi-Fi coverage.
- For other phones, check the maker's and network's own pages. This platform has checked only Apple's list.
- Treat it as one Emergency level in the PACE plan (comms-2), not a replacement for radio. Keep the phone charged (comms-17).
Safety: Use satellite SOS only in a real emergency, never in a drill.
Do these first
Sources
- Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone. Apple Support (manufacturer), accessed 2026-11