Apple Partners with SpaceX and T-Mobile to Enable Starlink Satellite Connectivity on iPhones
The iOS 18.3 update introduces Starlink-powered texting for select iPhone users in the US, expanding satellite communication options.
- Apple, SpaceX, and T-Mobile have collaborated to integrate Starlink satellite connectivity into iPhones, starting with a beta program for texting.
- The feature, enabled through the iOS 18.3 update, allows iPhones to connect to Starlink satellites automatically without needing to point the device at the sky.
- Currently available only to a limited number of users in the United States, the service supports texting in areas without cellular coverage, with plans to expand to voice and data in the future.
- This marks a shift from Apple's existing satellite partnership with Globalstar, which requires manual satellite alignment and operates in multiple countries.
- T-Mobile plans to broaden the beta program to include more devices and users, aiming for a full rollout later in 2025.