Traveling is stressful Enough for most of us, but not being able to text while traveling is a real nightmare. On an Apple iPhone, you see the dreaded words “undelivered” with an exclamation point in a red circle every time a message fails to arrive. For some of us, it’s a worse feeling than losing luggage, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area and need to contact someone (a rental property manager, your family, a driver) right away.
Fortunately, Apple recently added satellite texting with iOS 18 for iPhone 14 and later models. This expansion of the iPhone’s satellite connectivity (previously Apple only provided emergency SOS service via satellite) brings regular texting service to areas without cellular coverage; It’s like sending in the cavalry if you are in a remote place.
Interestingly, although satellites are available from anywhere on the planet, you can only send text messages via satellite when traveling in the United States and Canada. This means that there are two common scenarios that can arise when you travel. One is when you go into nature. Cell phone towers do not always extend their signal to national and state parks, near rivers, or in some rural areas. In downtown areas, tall buildings and poor infrastructure can also affect cellular signals. But in these places the satellite connection is still viable.
Fortunately, the steps to connect to a satellite to send text messages are simple. Here’s how to make sure you can still send a message to anyone from anywhere in the US or Canada.
Prepare for your trip
The first step before embarking on any trip is to consult a cell service coverage map. You can contact your wireless carrier to ask about coverage areas, but this is a great resource. FCC map. You can select your carrier and view voice and data coverage.
I planned a trip to a state park in my area where I noticed that most of the cabins and an entire ravine along a river were not covered by either voice or data service. Knowing if you can connect will help you avoid surprises. If you’re traveling with multiple people, not being able to text anyone can cause a lot of confusion. You will also find areas without signal in the cities; I visited a specific area of downtown Minneapolis (right near the Target Center) where cell coverage is notoriously sketchy.
The FCC’s coverage map shows exactly where cell coverage might not work and is surprisingly detailed. You can zoom in on city blocks or specific roads in a park to see if they are covered. (Also, if your phone has a hard time finding a signal, the battery will drain more quickly. So if you’re going to a remote area, bring a battery.)
How to connect to a satellite to send messages
Once you reach your destination, you will notice that cell service will deteriorate as you enter a remote area. For me, when I visited the state park, I first noticed that my AT&T service said 5G+ in the top right corner, then 5G, and finally it said LTE. It feels like you’re going back in time, technologically. Next to the river, the LTE icon went completely blank and then showed a satellite icon. That was my first clue that I had an alternative way to text.
I went to the Messages app and a message appeared at the top of the screen: “Stay in touch while you let others know you’re available via satellite,” followed by a button that said “Use satellite messaging.” Click that button and you’ll see a screen showing the curvature of the planet and a message that says “Satellite available soon.” At this point, it feels a bit like a scavenger hunt. You will see a message to turn left or right toward the satellite. Tap on the satellite that appears and stay still, standing in the same direction for about a minute. Finally, the screen will light up with a green beacon. You are now connected! You’ll see options to connect through Messages, use the Find My app, request roadside assistance, or send an SOS.