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

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Top Rated Comments

VulchR Avatar
30 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
30 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
30 months ago
Great!! Hopefully it will be available in more countries soon.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
30 months ago
6 more countries to SOS from the ski slopes.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
30 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
30 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)