Satellite-based messaging on an iPhone – Image Credit: Apple
Apple is expanding its carrier-provided satellite features to more iPhone models, with it set to be used on all iPhone 13 models as part of iOS 18.5.
Apple issued its release candidate for iOS 18.5 on Tuesday, ahead of an imminent full public release of the update. As part of a relatively small number of updates to the operating system for this generation, the RC build includes a change that affects the iPhone 13 models.
According to the release notes, Apple writes “Support for carrier-provided satellite features is available on iPhone 13 (all models).”
The carrier-provided satellite features run alongside Apple’s satellite-specific functions, such as Emergency SOS via Satellite, which communicate with satellites in cases where there is no carrier signal available.
Some carriers have followed in offering their own version, augmenting their cellular network with satellites. For example, T-Mobile works with Starlink to offer the functionality.
This functionality has been available since iOS 18.3, and worked with the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 generations. However, the iOS 18.5 update expands the feature to work on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro models.
Apple has not disclosed exactly when the iOS 18.5 update will be made available to the public, but the RC release indicates it will be arriving soon.
Very late to the party
While the expansion of the feature brings iPhone 13 up to speed when it comes to satellite communications, it could’ve been added a lot earlier.
In August 2022, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple had previously worked on developing satellite communications for the iPhone 13. This matched up with earlier claims elsewhere that satellite communications would be on the way for that model.
However, Kuo believes the iPhone 13 didn’t gain the feature since Apple hadn’t managed to sign up with a service partner to offer it to consumers.
For its current efforts, Apple works with Globalstar, but Elon Musk’s SpaceX has allegedly stepped in to try and slow down Apple’s satellite expansion to try and give Starlink an improved position.
