This New iOS 18 iPhone Feature Could Save Your Life In An Emergency

A new feature included in Apple’s latest iPhone update could be a game changer if you ever need to text someone but don’t have cell service.

There’s a host of new features in iOS 18, including new ways to customize your home screen and the ability to add extra text effects (you can bold or underline words for emphasis, for instance). But for the safety nuts among us, the most valuable new addition may be satellite messaging, a feature that allows users to text family, friends and emergency services when they’re off the grid: For instance, maybe you’re in the wifi-less forrest and want to let your mother know you’ve gotten to your campsite safely.

The new feature works similarly to Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature introduced on the iPhone 14 and 15 series. (We previously wrote of how those affected by last year’s Maui wildfires were able to connect with first responders using Emergency SOS.)

To connect to a satellite, you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. Then you’ll point your iPhone upward, said Tim Schofield, a tech YouTuber.

“Once connected, you are able to send/receive texts, tapbacks and emojis on your iPhone and message with your friends and family ― not just emergency services,” Schofield told HuffPost.

One thing to note: You’ll have to have an iPhone 14 or later for this service to work.

“Apple has stated that this feature is free for the first two years,” Schofield said. “No word yet on pricing afterwards. I could potentially see it being a subscription fee similar to current ‘international roaming’ plans U.S. carriers have.”

Miguel Alvarado, the creator of iDeviceHelp, a YouTube channel covering the latest on Apple iOS updates, luckily hasn’t had to use either Satellite messaging or Emergency SOS, but he can see many use cases.

“Maybe you’re driving down a deserted road with no cell service and your car breaks down,” he said. “Or I could see it being helpful in the event you get lost while hiking or even deep-sea fishing where there’s barely any service available.”

Though this is an absolute worst-case scenario, satellite messaging could also make a difference if you’re without cellular service and need to ask for help but can’t make an emergency SOS call because you’d compromise your safety.

And as the aforementioned Maui fire example suggests, the new feature could also be helpful during natural…