Millions of iPhone owners in UK getting 'free' upgrade but some are 'exempt'

James Rodger

16 June 2024 at 2:49 am·2-min read

Apple will let millions text for free even if you don’t have signal. The service from Apple, the iPhone maker and US tech giant, is called Messages via Satellite, and lets you text for free – even if you don't have phone signal.

The new Messages via Satellite feature lets you send texts even without cell signal. You'll connect to a satellite passing overhead, so the experience will be laggier compared to regular texting, Apple - based in Silicon Valley - has revealed.

Apple has already been offering Emergency SOS via Satellite for a few years now, allowing you to contact emergency services without phone signal. Now Apple is extending this to your Messages app for sending regular texts, all as part of the upcoming iOS 18 update.

"There's a new way to stay connected whenever you don't have Wi-Fi or cellular service," said Apple's Ronak Shah at this week's WWDC event in California. "We're using the same groundbreaking technology that gave us Emergency SOS via satellite to bring you Messages via satellite."

Ronak went on, telling the event in the US this week: "Now you can use the satellite capabilities on iPhone 14 and later to connect to satellites hundreds of miles above the Earth to text your friends and family when you're off the grid all right from the Messages app."

Not all models are getting it, though. The ones included include iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone SE (3rd generation) and iPhone XR as well as iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 12.

iPhone 12 minim, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 are also eligible, as are iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. Devices listed also include iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, as well as iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

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