Apple is making its Emergency SOS via Satellite feature available in 30 more countries. That means people in more places can now contact help even if there's no signal or Wi-Fi.

This feature first came with the iPhone 14, and it’s already helped save lives in the wild, on the road, and at sea. With this update, even more users will be able to use it in real emergencies.

What It Does

If you can’t get cell signal, your iPhone helps you connect to a satellite. You just follow the directions on-screen to point your phone the right way. Then you can:

  • Send an emergency message
  • Share your exact location
  • Answer quick questions about what happened
  • Get help from local emergency teams

It’s meant for real emergencies only—not regular texting.

Where It’s Available Now

Apple hasn’t listed every country yet, but sources say the update covers areas in:

  • Asia – like Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines
  • South America – such as Peru, Chile, and Ecuador
  • Africa – including Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa
  • Europe – like Greece, Iceland, and Croatia

With this, Apple’s emergency service now reaches over 60 countries.

Real Examples of It Saving Lives

This isn’t just a cool feature—it’s already made a difference. Here are a few times it helped:

  • A hiker stuck in the Canadian mountains was found after using the SOS
  • A boater in Florida sent a message after their boat flipped
  • A car crash in rural Australia triggered an alert when there was no signal

Thanks to this update, people in far-off places—like rainforests, deserts, and islands—will now have a better chance of reaching help.

What You Need to Use It

Here are the basics:

  • Works on iPhone 14 and newer
  • You need iOS 15.2 or above
  • Won’t work well under heavy trees or in storms
  • Messages are short and only for emergencies

How to Use It

You don’t have to set it up. It turns on by itself when:

  • Your phone tries to call emergency services but there’s no signal
  • You see a screen that says “Emergency SOS via Satellite”
  • Your phone shows you how to aim at the sky

New iPhones come with two years of free access to this service. After that, Apple may charge a small fee.