iPhone users in this country can send messages via satellite: All you need to know

iPhone users in Japan are getting a useful new feature from Apple. The company has announced that people in the country can now send messages through satellites, even when they have no mobile signal or Wi-Fi. The feature is called Messages via satellite and it works on the iPhone 14 or newer models. It is also supported on the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

The idea is simple. If an iPhone user in Japan tries to send a message but there is no network, the phone will show a prompt asking them to connect to the nearest satellite. Once the connection is made, users can send and receive iMessages and regular SMS. They can also send emojis and use the Tapback option, just like they would in a normal chat. The best part is that these messages stay protected with end-to-end encryption, so the privacy level remains the same as regular messaging.

Apple has already offered emergency SOS via satellite in Japan. People can also share their location using satellites in the Find My app. The new messaging option adds another useful tool to the list, especially for people living in remote areas or those who travel to places with poor network coverage.

To use the feature on an iPhone, users need iOS 18 or later. For the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the watch must be running watchOS 26 or above. Apple says satellite messaging will continue to be free for all iPhone and Apple Watch users who have compatible devices.