Apple just had its biggest hardware event in years, with the iPhone 18 Pro and its first foldable stealing the spotlight. But buried in the press release was something older iPhone owners actually care about: free satellite access is sticking around for another year.
As reported by Android Headlines, Apple has extended free satellite connectivity for iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 users. The catch is your device needs to have been activated in a supported country before midnight on September 9. If you hit that window, you’re good for another 12 months.
This is the third extension for iPhone 14 users specifically. The original free trial was meant to wrap up two years after the phone launched in November 2022. Apple pushed it once in 2025, and now again. iPhone 15 users were facing their own expiry this year and got pulled back too. iPhone 16 owners are getting their first extension.
The satellite features covered include:
- Emergency SOS via satellite
- Messages via satellite
- Find My via satellite
- Roadside Assistance via satellite
All of it runs through Apple’s partner Globalstar, and it only kicks in when there’s no cellular or Wi-Fi signal available. So it’s a safety net, not an everyday tool.
Still, the big unanswered question is whether Apple will eventually charge for this. Three extensions in and there’s still no pricing announcement. That’s either generous or a sign Apple hasn’t figured out the business model yet. Either way, enjoy it while it’s free.