iOS 16.4 Expands iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite to Six More Countries

As planned, Apple today expanded Emergency SOS via Satellite to Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal. In a press release, Apple said the feature requires the iOS 16.4 update released today to function in these countries.

Emergency SOS via Satellite iPhone YT
Emergency SOS via Satellite enables iPhone 14 models to connect to Globalstar satellites in countries where the feature is available, allowing users to send text messages to emergency service dispatchers when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The service is free to use for two years after activating an iPhone 14, and this two-year period will begin today for users in the newly supported countries.

With iOS 16.4, Apple says a user dialing a local emergency number in the newly supported countries will automatically be redirected to 112, the European emergency number, in the event that the call fails due to no cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

In a support document, Apple warns that foliage or other obstructions can result in messages taking longer to send or failing to send, and satellite connectivity might not work in places above 62° latitude, such as northern parts of Canada and Alaska.

Emergency SOS via Satellite first launched in November in the U.S. and Canada and requires an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max. The service expanded to France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK in December. iPhone users should read Apple's support document for important details about the service.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18

18 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.2

Wednesday November 13, 2024 2:09 am PST by
Apple is set to release iOS 18.2 next month, bringing the second round of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update brings several major advancements to Apple's AI integration, including completely new image generation tools and a range of Visual Intelligence-based enhancements. There are a handful of new non-AI related feature controls incoming as well....
M4 MacBook Pros Thumb

M4 MacBook Pro Uses Quantum Dot Display Technology

Thursday November 14, 2024 4:19 pm PST by
The M4 MacBook Pro models feature quantum dot display technology, according to display analyst Ross Young. Apple used a quantum dot film instead of a red KSF phosphor film, a change that provides more vibrant, accurate color results. Young says that Apple has opted for KSF for prior MacBook Pro models because it doesn't use toxic element cadmium (typical for quantum dot) and is more...
AirPods Crackling Feature

Apple Customers Sue Over Unfixed AirPods Pro Crackling Issue

Wednesday November 13, 2024 11:01 am PST by
A trio of Apple customers this month filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the Cupertino company of violating California consumer protection laws and false advertising for continuing to sell AirPods Pro models that had ongoing issues with crackling or static sounds. A few months after the AirPods Pro came out in October 2019, buyers began to complain about crackling, rattling, ...
google gemini

Google Releases Standalone Gemini AI App for iPhone

Thursday November 14, 2024 2:54 am PST by
Google has launched its dedicated Gemini artificial intelligence app for iPhone users, expanding beyond the previous limited integration within the main Google app. The standalone app offers enhanced functionality, including support for Gemini Live and iOS-specific features like Dynamic Island integration. The new app allows iPhone users to interact with Google's AI through text or voice...
maxresdefault

M4 Max MacBook Pro: Real-World Usage Tests

Wednesday November 13, 2024 11:59 am PST by
Apple last week replaced the M3 Max MacBook Pro with the new M4 Max MacBook Pro, and we picked up one of the new high-end MacBook Pro machines to see how it compares to the prior model with both benchmarks and real-world tests. We tested an M4 Max with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, and 48GB RAM against an M3 Max MacBook Pro with similar specs. The two machines look similar, but the display on...
iphone passcode green

iOS 18 Security Feature Causes iPhone to Reboot After Three Days of Inactivity

Thursday November 14, 2024 2:19 pm PST by
With iOS 18, Apple introduced a feature that causes the iPhone to reboot every three days, security researchers have confirmed (via TechCrunch). In a demo video, security researcher Jiska Classen proved that an iPhone left untouched for 72 hours will automatically restart, and Graykey manufacturer also Magnet Forensics wrote a blog post about the feature. After a reboot, an iPhone is more...

Top Rated Comments

VulchR Avatar
22 months ago

I wish this was part of the Apple Watch Ultra. Seems like it would be a no brainer for an adventure watch.
I imagine the antenna and energy required might be too large for a watch, but I am no engineer.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
22 months ago
I wish this was part of the Apple Watch Ultra. Seems like it would be a no brainer for an adventure watch.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svish Avatar
22 months ago
Great!! Hopefully it will be available in more countries soon.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
22 months ago
6 more countries to SOS from the ski slopes.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
22 months ago

I imagine the antenna and energy required might be too large for a watch, but I am no engineer.
Neither an I ? and that could be it. Although, I'd think energy required is less an issue since it would only be used in an emergency situation and not constantly looking for a connection.

Either way it would be a welcome addition since I am regularly exercising and being active with just my watch.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arnoz Avatar
22 months ago

I wish this was part of the Apple Watch Ultra. Seems like it would be a no brainer for an adventure watch.
Absolutely agreed.
No idea how complex or even if it would be possible at this point in time from an engineering standpoint. But living in Switzerland and spending most of my weekends in the Alps, more often than not 2-3-4000meters high with no coverage, it'd the be cherry on top of the cake in terms of preparation of an outing.
Rule #1 is inform your family/friends about your planned path, but if something happens...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)