Apple extends free iPhone satellite service for another year
Owners of older iPhones will keep free access to satellite features for another year as Apple again delays charging for the service
Apple has extended its free satellite service on iPhones for another year, meaning users will not need to pay to keep using the feature.
Apple has done this every year. When the iPhone 17 launched last year, the company extended the free period then too, and it did the same the year before that. This is the third time the free service has been extended.
The satellite feature was first introduced in September 2023 on the iPhone 14 Pro. At the time, Apple said it would offer one year free before charging for it. Three years on, the company still has not started charging. Over these three years, Apple has not only kept the service free but has also improved it. Initially meant only for emergency SOS, several apps now work over satellite, including sending messages and sharing location. The feature is especially useful in areas without network coverage.
Notably, Apple did not mention this on stage at its "Surprise and Shine" event on September 9, where it was focused on showcasing the iPhone 18 Pro and a foldable phone. The extension of the free service was mentioned later, in a footnote at the bottom of the iPhone 18 Pro press note, and many people did not notice it.
Apple has said that users of the iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 will benefit from the extension. However, the phone must have been activated before midnight on September 9, US time, and in a country where the satellite feature is available. The feature has not been fully rolled out in India yet, but is available in the US and Europe. Anyone who bought a new iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 Pro after September 9 will still get a year free, as every new iPhone comes with a year of free satellite service.
There had been rumours that the iPhone 18 Pro would get a new satellite feature offering higher speeds or video calling, but this did not happen. The 18 Pro carries the same feature as before, though the one-year extension has eased some of the disappointment. The biggest question now is how long the free service will continue, and whether Apple will keep it free indefinitely or eventually start charging.
Apple's actions suggest it is not ready to start charging yet, but it has also not committed to keeping the service free forever, meaning it could become a paid feature in future. For now, iPhone 14, 15 and 16 users can continue using SOS and satellite messaging without a network for another year.
