Emergency Satellite Services on Smartphones Crucial as Hurricane Milton Approaches

With Hurricane Milton threatening Florida, satellite connectivity on iPhones and Pixels offers a vital communication lifeline when traditional networks fail.

Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, is expected to cause widespread devastation in Florida with winds over 110 mph and significant storm surges.
Emergency satellite services are available on iPhone 14 and newer models, as well as on Google's Pixel 9 series, allowing users to contact emergency services without cell service or Wi-Fi.
Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite and Google's Satellite SOS feature require a clear view of the sky to function effectively, making them a last resort during severe weather.
New iOS 18 features allow iPhone users to send messages via satellite to friends and family, though this is not intended for emergency use.
Users are encouraged to set up emergency contacts and medical IDs on their devices to facilitate quicker assistance and communication in emergencies.