Apple has announced it is extending free access to its emergency satellite features for owners of iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models. This is the second time the company has pushed back the date when users would have to start paying for the potentially life-saving service.
The feature, first introduced with the iPhone 14 lineup in September 2022, was originally set to be free for only two years. That free period was then extended by one year in November 2023. Now, with the launch of the new iPhone 17 series, Apple has added yet another free year for existing users.
According to a footnote on Apple’s newsroom post, the free trial will continue for iPhone 14 and 15 users who activated their devices in a supported country before September 9, 2025, at 12 a.m. Pacific Time. This means those early adopters can now use the satellite services for free until approximately mid-September 2026.
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This technology allows iPhone users to text emergency services, request roadside assistance, message contacts, and share their location when they are far away from any cellular or Wi-Fi signal. The phone connects directly to satellites in orbit to send these crucial messages.
The satellite network powering this feature is provided by Globalstar. However, it is important to note that the service is not available in every country where iPhones are sold. It is not offered on devices purchased in mainland China, Russia, Macao, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.