Apple to add Starlink support to iPhone: How it will work

The companies are testing the iPhone with the Starlink service from Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies Corp. The latest software update for the smartphone, released on Monday, includes support for this technology.

This move was unexpected: previously, T-Mobile listed Starlink as an option only for Samsung Electronics Co. smartphones, such as the Z Fold and S24. At the same time, Apple already provides a service from Globalstar Inc. that allows users to send messages and contact emergency services outside of cellular coverage.

T-Mobile has started offering customers an early version of the Starlink service, and this week the operator activated support for a small number of iPhones as part of a beta test. In response to the news, Elon Musk wrote in X that the current Starlink technology already supports images, music, and podcasts, and future updates will add video streaming.

The first users received a message from T-Mobile: "You are participating in the T-Mobile Starlink beta test. Now you can stay connected and send messages via satellite from almost anywhere. To use the new coverage area, update to iOS 18.3". Participants in the program have a new switch in the iPhone's mobile network settings to control satellite communications.

T-Mobile said that testing will start "with some optimized smartphones" and that the service will support "the vast majority of modern smartphones" when it is fully launched.

Beta access is also open to some users of Android 15, the latest version of Google's operating system.

Since Apple partnered with Globalstar in 2022 to provide satellite features, there have been rumors of the possibility of supporting other networks. The day after Apple's 2022 announcement, Elon Musk wrote in X that his company "had promising talks with Apple about connecting to Starlink."

How will it work

When a T-Mobile iPhone is in an area without cellular service, devices participating in the Starlink program will first try to connect to SpaceX satellites. Users will also be able to activate sending messages via the satellite menu for the Globalstar service or call emergency services using Apple.

The first version of Starlink only supports text messages. However, SpaceX and T-Mobile have said they plan to expand the service by adding support for data and voice calls.

So far, the program is available only in the US, unlike Apple's satellite service through Globalstar, which operates in several countries. SpaceX is also considering expanding Starlink to other operators around the world.

There is another important difference between these services. Apple's current satellite feature requires users to point their iPhone at the sky to find a satellite. Starlink, on the other hand, works automatically - even when the phone is in the user's pocket.

Both technologies are designed to work in places without cellular coverage, such as tourist routes. They won't work in places where mobile service is available.

Support for Apple's satellite features is already available on most current iPhone models and, as reported by Bloomberg, will also appear on Apple's Ultra watch this year.

Apple's official announcement of the iOS 18.3 update mentioned AI features and bug fixes, but Starlink support was not disclosed.