Apple reportedly plans to expand the iPhone‘s satellite connectivity capabilities beyond emergency calling and texting. It is working on a framework to enable third-party apps to use satellite connectivity.
Additionally, the company plans to bring satellite connectivity to Apple Maps to enable navigation in areas without cellular coverage.
More apps could use your iPhone’s satellite connectivity feature
Satellite-powered Emergency SOS connectivity debuted on the iPhone 14 in 2022. Initially, Apple limited the feature to emergency calling in areas with no Wi-Fi or cellular coverage. But since then, the company has added satellite connectivity to the Messages app and a Roadside Assistance feature. And this year, it expanded satellite connectivity to the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reported Sunday that Apple has more satellite-related features under development.
In his latest Power On newsletter, he said Apple will allow certain types of third-party apps to use satellite connectivity. The company is reportedly developing the necessary APIs to make this possible.
In addition to adding satellite connectivity to Apple Maps, the company reportedly plans to expand options in other apps as well.
Right now, Apple’s Messages app only allows sending basic text messages via satellite. However, the company wants to change this and allow users to send photos as well.
Another planned major usability upgrade: the ability to use satellite connectivity without a clear view of the sky. Currently, iPhones need open skies to establish a strong satellite link. Apple wants to remove this limitation and make satellite connectivity work reliably even in challenging conditions.
“The company aims to let users stay connected while their iPhone is in a pocket, car or even indoors — eliminating the need to physically point the device toward the sky,” Gurman wrote. He said the industry calls this approach “natural usage.”
To further improve the satellite experience, Apple reportedly will add 5G NTN support to 2026 iPhones. This would enable network towers to use satellites to bolster connectivity.
Apple’s current satellite partner is a big bottleneck in these upgrade plans
Apple has big plans to improve satellite connectivity on iPhones. But this will require a major upgrade from Globalstar, the company Apple partnered with to offer satellite connectivity on its devices.
Apple will supposedly finance some of these infrastructure upgrades.
However, as Gurman wrote, Globalstar is looking to put itself up for sale. Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which owns satellite provider Starlink, could be a potentially interested party. A sale could accelerate the rollout of new features.