By Apple’s latest iPhone update, iOS 18.3, brings a surprise feature: compatibility with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network. This new capability allows users to send texts via satellite when they’re out of cellular range. According to reports, Apple has been secretly working with SpaceX and T-Mobile to enable this feature.
The Starlink integration is being rolled out as a beta test for a limited number of iPhone users on the T-Mobile network. Once the feature is fully launched, it will enable users to automatically connect to SpaceX satellites when they’re outside cellular range. The service will initially support texting only, but SpaceX and T-Mobile plan to add voice calls and data connections in the future.
Industry insiders are hailing this development as a “game-changer” because it eliminates the need to point your phone at the sky to connect to a satellite. Instead, users can access the Starlink network directly from their pocket. While the feature is currently limited to iPhone users on T-Mobile, it’s expected to expand to other devices and carriers in the future.
