Apple’s Unexpected Free Offer To All iPhone 13 Users Is About To Go Live

The latest iPhone software update, iOS 18.5, brought with it a surprise new feature for iPhone 13 users: access to a particular kind of satellite connectivity. The service that will first connect to it, T-Satellite from T-Mobile, goes live on Wednesday, July 23. Here’s all you need to know.

Who’s It For?

First off, this service is available to most Android phones and all iPhones from the iPhone 13 onwards. It’s not the same as the satellite connectivity on the iPhone 14 and later, which uses Globalstar — that depends on hardware the iPhone 13 doesn’t have.

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This service is what’s called carrier-supported satellite connectivity, and the only carrier supporting this right now is T-Mobile (though other networks will follow). It uses Starlink satellites, though, unlike many reports earlier in the year, it emphatically does not install Starlink on your phone.

What It Does

It means that if you are outside the regular cellular network, your phone can stay connected via satellite, for text messages on iPhones. More services will be added and when the service goes live, other features will be available to Android users, including multimedia messaging, picture messaging, and short audio clips.

This kind of satellite connection has been called a “game-changer” because you don’t have to point the phone at the sky for the satellite to see the phone. It can stay in your pocket, even.

When It’s Live

The T-Satellite service is in beta testing but from July 23 will be accessible to any mobile phone user with a suitable device, including AT&T and Verizon subscribers.

“T-Mobile will also provide Starlink subscribers with 911 texting via satellite. Later in the year, that capability will expand to any mobile user with a compatible device, even customers on other carriers and those who don’t subscribe to Starlink,” as ZDNET explained.

The beta service has seen more than 1.8 million users, with “tens of thousands of customers from Verizon and AT&T,” T-Mobile said.

How Much It Costs

If you’re a T-Mobile Experience Beyond subscriber, there’s no extra cost above your regular subscription. Others, including AT&T and Verizon customers can access the service for $10 per month.

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