iPhone 14 Users Get Free One-Year Extension for Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature

Apple introduced the Emergency SOS via satellite for all iPhone 14 users in November 2022.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by Manas Mitul | Updated: 16 November 2023 10:53 IST

iPhone 14 Users Get Free One-Year Extension for Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature

Photo Credit: Apple

iPhone 14 users in countries that support Emergency SOS via satellite will get the free trial extension

Highlights

Emergency SOS via Satellite was initially available for free for 2 years
Satellite connectivity on iPhones is not yet supported in India
iPhone 14 users can share their location via satellite via Find My app

Apple introduced the Emergency SOS via satellite for all iPhone 14 users in November 2022. When there are no other options for contacting emergency services, emergency SOS via satellite feature can help users get in touch with them. Compatible iPhone models make an effort to link customers to necessary assistance via satellite-based communication in the event they are unable to reach emergency services because they are outside the coverage area of cellular and Wi-Fi networks. The feature has been reported to be life-saving in several situations so far. Initially provided for free for two years, the emergency SOS feature will now be available for longer for iPhone 14 users at no additional cost.

The iPhone maker confirmed in a press release that it is extending the two-year free trial of the Emergency SOS via satellite feature for iPhone 14 users by another year. “We are so happy iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users can take advantage of this groundbreaking service for two more years for free,” Kaiann Drance, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, said in the release.

According to Apple, the free trial will be extended for iPhone 14 users who have activated their device in a country that supports Emergency SOS via satellite prior to 12am PT (1:30am IST) on November 15, 2023. Currently, Emergency SOS via satellite is available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US. There's no word on when the feature would make its way to India.

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Apple launched the iPhone 14 lineup with four models - iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, in September 2022. It was followed by the release of the Emergency SOS via satellite feature in November of that year, initially only in the US and Canada, and later extended to more countries.

Buidling upon the satellite connectivity capability, eligible iPhone 14 users travelling off the grid, that is a location without cellular or wireless connectivity, can also use the Find My app and communicate their location with friends and family via satellite.

Apple also introduced the Roadside Assistance via satellite feature in the US, which connects car-owners to AAA roadside assistance in case of car trouble in a region with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. According to Apple, the feature is included for free for two years, starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 15 or 14 series model, and would require iOS 17 on the device to work.

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The Emergency SOS via satellite service has also been extended to iPhone 15 users in 16 countries and regions, according to Apple. The company recently expanded the feature to Spain and Switzerland. Apple launched its latest iPhones at its ‘Wonderlust' event in September.

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iPhone 14

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Good overall performance
Great camera quality in daylight
iOS ecosystem and ease of use

Bad
Dated design and notch
Very similar to iPhone 13
Relatively slow charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 review

Display 6.06-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 14 Plus

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Good overall performance
Great camera quality in daylight
iOS ecosystem and ease of use
Excellent battery life

Bad
Dated design and notch
Same SoC as iPhone 13 series
Relatively slow charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 Plus review

Display 6.68-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1284x2778 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 14 Pro Max

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 2796x1290 pixels

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iPhone 14 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Superb display with always-on mode
Excellent overall performance
Good battery life
All cameras take high-quality stills and video
Regular iOS updates for many years

Bad
Extremely expensive
Relatively slow charging and transfer speed
Gets warm under heavy workloads
Limited customisation for Dynamic Island

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 Pro review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

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Further reading: Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, iPhone 14, Apple

Sucharita Ganguly

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Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More