iPhone 14’s emergency SOS function via satellite is extended to six new countries

Apple will expand its satellite emergency SOS feature to six new countries this month. Satellite Emergency SOS can help users connect to emergency services when no other way to reach emergency services is available. If users call or text emergency services and cannot connect because they are out of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, the supported iPhone attempts to connect the user to support he needs via satellite. Users can access Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models running iOS 16.1 or later.

The feature was first launched only in the United States and Canada. The Cupertino-based company then expanded it to the UK, France, Germany and Ireland. The company said it would expand the feature to users in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal this month, in a press release announcing the launch of iPhone 14 and of the iPhone 14 Plus in a new yellow color variant on Tuesday.

Satellite Emergency SOS allows users outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage to communicate with emergency services and it can also be used to find your own location and share it with friends and family on the go. help for the Find My app.

Because it takes a while to establish a connection with satellites, the iPhone will ask users a few pre-programmed questions while it searches for a signal. If a user is heading to a location with limited cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple suggests that they create a medical ID, add emergency contacts, and test the Emergency SOS demo beforehand.

Apple also notes that to try to connect to a satellite, users can hold their iPhone in their hand naturally – without raising their arm or holding it, but they advise against putting it in a pocket or backpack. The company adds that users may not be able to connect to a satellite if they are surrounded by dense foliage or other obstructions.

As bandwidth is limited on cellular networks, Apple has developed a compression algorithm that reduces text messages three times to improve communication speed. Satellite connectivity is also included by default with the collision detection feature.