Apple Announces Emergency SOS via Satellite Now Available in Japan

Apple has announced that starting today, Emergency SOS via satellite is available to iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users in Japan. The service will be free for two years, following the activation of a new iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 model.

This innovative technology, available on all models of iPhone 14 and iPhone 15, allows users to share information with emergency services even when cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity is unavailable. Additionally, when traveling in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi signals, users can inform friends and family of their location by opening the "Find My" app and sharing their location via satellite. This service is free for two years from the activation of a new iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 model. Since its announcement in 2022, Emergency SOS via satellite has already proven helpful in saving lives in 16 countries where it is available.

How Emergency SOS via Satellite Works

If users need help, they can quickly and easily call emergency services by holding down the side button and one of the volume buttons until the emergency SOS slider appears, even if they can't dial 110, 118, or 119. If cellular or Wi-Fi signals are unavailable, the user-friendly interface of the Emergency SOS via satellite will guide users through connecting to a satellite to seek help. Simple questions will be displayed, and users can answer important questions with just a few taps. These responses, along with the user's situation and location information, are transmitted to dispatch centers to quickly assess the user's situation.

Apple worked closely with experts to standardize questions and procedures, identifying the most common reasons for contacting emergency services. After answering the questions, an intuitive interface guides users to point their iPhone towards the sky to send the initial message to the satellite. This message includes the user's answers, location (including altitude), iPhone battery level, and Medical ID (if enabled). Users can also share the transcript of their interaction with satellite relay center specialists with their emergency contacts to keep them informed.

Due to the high speed, small bandwidth, and distant location (over 1,000 kilometers from Earth) of satellites, even short messages can take several minutes to arrive. Apple has developed unique components and software to allow iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 to connect to satellite-specific frequencies without large antennas. A text compression algorithm was also developed to reduce the average size of messages by one-third, speeding up the experience as much as possible. Under clear sky conditions, users can send and receive messages in as little as 15 seconds using Emergency SOS via satellite. Users can test satellite connectivity with a built-in Emergency SOS via satellite demo, which connects to real satellites within range without contacting emergency services, allowing them to experience the process and become familiar with the service.

Users out of cellular and Wi-Fi range can also share their location via satellite using "Find My" even when not in an emergency. In the "Find My" app, users can open the "Me" tab, swipe up to view "My Location via Satellite," and tap "Send My Current Location." The satellite connection on iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 also works with other safety features available on iPhone and Apple Watch, such as crash detection and fall detection.

Pricing and Availability

Emergency SOS via satellite and "Find My" via satellite are now available in Japan and Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These services require iOS 17.6 or later. They are free for two years starting today or from the activation of a new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max.

With iOS 16.4 or later and iMessage, users can send their location, the type of emergency, and a real-time transcription of interactions with emergency services to up to 10 emergency contacts. For emergency contacts who don't use an iPhone or have iOS 16.4 or later, or don't have iMessage, only the user's location and type of emergency will be displayed. Users can stop sharing information with emergency contacts at any time. Location information is also shared with Apple for connecting and contacting the nearest dispatch center.