IF you are the owner of the latest generation iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max, you could be walking around right now with a lifesaving piece of equipment should you have a motorcycle crash.
The news centres around an added feature of all iPhone 14 models called satellite SOS. The feature can contact emergency services for you, even when you are without conventional mobile phone service.
How to use iPhone 14 Satellite SOS
To use the system, you make a 999 emergency services call as normal, although when the lack of phone signal prevents you, a pop-up will appear asking you if you want to send an ‘Emergency Text via Satellite’. You are then given a few options to let the operators know what the issue is, car trouble, illness and so on. Once you do this, the phone will literally direct you to the nearest satellite, showing you a picture on the screen that have to point your iPhone in the direction of. Once connected, the system will send your medical information (something you have to fill out beforehand) via the satellite to the relevant emergency services in the region. Not only that, but the new system can also share your location with the emergency responders, giving them your longitude, latitude and altitude, pretty much anywhere in the world.
Another handy feature for those that travel off into the wilderness is a similar feature that notifies your loved ones of your whereabouts. It works in pretty much the exact same way, albeit without any contact to the emergency services. To do this, head to the ‘Me’ section in your settings, swipe up to ‘My Location via Satellite’, and tap ‘Send my Location’. The system will now notify your selected contacts, giving them your precise location without using the cell network or Wi-Fi.
What countries can use iPhone 14 Satellite SOS?
The iPhone 14 Emergency SOS via satellite service is available in the USA and Canada, with the UK, France and Germany added to the list this month. Apple is planning to add the feature to other iPhone 14 users in more countries in 2023.
Does iPhone 14 Satellite SOS cost anything to use?
Emergency SOS is free to all iPhone 14 users for two years starting from the moment the iPhone is sold to the customer. Apple hasn’t yet outlined what the service will cost after this time.
