If you own a recent iPhone or Pixel phone, you have an emergency backup communication option in case of a crisis: satellite messaging. Introduced by Apple with iPhone 14 and iOS 16 in 2022 (and available on all iPhones since), it’s now also available on the latest Pixel 9 series phones with Android 14.

The idea is that when you’re in trouble and out of cell signal range—for example, if you get lost or injured while hiking in the wilderness—you can use satellite networks to contact emergency services and direct them to your location Your bandwidth is limited, but enough to send some texts.

Your phone needs a special combination of hardware and software to connect to a satellite output in space, so it’s not yet available on all phones. (Samsung is likely to add support next year.) However, it’s already saving lives everywhere in the worldand if you have a compatible phone, you can use it for free.

How to use Emergency Satellite SOS on Pixel phones

Only Pixel phones released in 2024 — Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold — support this right now: Before you have to use the feature for real, you can try a demo of it.

• Open Settings.
• Choose Safety and emergency then SOS by satellite.
• Tap Try a demo and follow the instructions.

The phone will ask you to hold the device steady and line up the direction the Pixel is pointing with a satellite: This is done via a very simple on-screen graphic so you don’t have to squint into space.

When the satellite lock is confirmed, you’ll be brought into an instant messaging interface where you can communicate with the emergency service provider that Google is connected to, although this won’t work as it’s a demo.

You cannot manually launch the function in real mode. You must be in the Phone app on your Pixel and have called 911. Wi-Fi and cellular networks will be tried first, and if they’re not available, you’ll see a SOS by satellite option.

• Tap Satellite SOS > Use Satellite SOS > Start.
• You will be asked to complete a short questionnaire about what happened and where you are. This information is sent to emergency personnel and saves a lot of back and forth time.
• Next, you will be asked if you want to share this information with emergency contacts on the phone, as well as emergency personnel.
• Once you’re done, you’ll enter the satellite lock screen that matches the demo.

Google says you can expect a response from emergency services within minutes, but make sure your phone stays in a place where it has a clear view of the sky.

A few more notes. For this to work, you need Google Messages set as your default messaging service (via Applications > Default applications in Settings). Also, if you want emergency contacts to be notified as well, you need to set them through Settings: Choose Safety and emergency then Emergency contacts.

How to Use Emergency Satellite SOS on iPhone

Any model from the iPhone 14 and up has satellite support included – that’s every iPhone released since the end of 2022. As with the Pixels, there’s a demo mode you can access before you have to use it in full mode. real.

• Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to launch the Control Center.
• Tap the cellular icon (antenna) then Satellite.
• Choose Try the Demo and follow the instructions.

Your phone will use on-screen graphics to help you try to align your phone with a passing satellite and keep it locked as it moves. Once a connection is established, you’ll see a chat box where you can provide details about the support you need.

To use the feature for real on an iPhone, try making a 911 call from the Phone app—even if you don’t have cellular or Wi-Fi, your iPhone might route it through another carrier.

If there is definitely no way by using conventional methods, you will see a message to that effect and a Satellite emergency text button will appear in the lower right corner: Tap this to continue.

• Tap Report the emergencythen choose an emergency type (such as Lost or trapped).
• Continue to answer the questions on the screen, the answers to which will be sent to the emergency services.
• During the process, you will have the option to share the details of your situation with your emergency contacts if you have anything saved on your phone.
• You’ll then be taken to the same satellite lock screen as in the demo – as soon as a connection is established, emergency details are sent.

If you need to change your position to maintain a satellite link while communicating with authorities, you will see a message on the screen.
Details like your current location and iPhone battery level are automatically transmitted while you’re signed in, as are any details in your medical identifiers. To set your medical ID, including emergency contacts, open the Health app on iOS, then tap your profile photo (top right) and Medical ID.