How to send an emergency message on iPhone with no signal

People affected by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene in the southern US have seemingly turned to a new satellite messaging feature on iPhone to stay in touch with loved ones.

The new Messages via Satellite feature allows users to send messages via satellite when Wi-Fi and mobile connections are not available. The new feature is integrated into Apple’s normal iMessage app, and has proved a lifeline for people in areas where Hurricane Helene has brought down normal communications.

One Twitter user wrote: "I’ve never been more thankful to be an iPhone user. Due to the lack of cell service, EVERYONE in Asheville NC right now on iOS 18 has been able to get messages out and in with the Satellite messaging feature. This is literally saving lives."

On social media, people in affected areas were urging others to update to iOS 18 in order to be able to use the feature.

But even on older versions of the OS – and in the UK – there are emergency satellite features you can use.

How can you access satellite messaging?

The new messaging feature is currently only available in Canada and the US so far.

It launched as part of iOS 18 on 16 September this year: Apple hasn’t yet offered a date when it will launch in the UK.

It works automatically in areas where there is no wifi or mobile signal: users automatically receive a notification allowing them to connect via satellite, and tapping on this connects to the service.

Users can also access satellite messaging by opening the iMessage app, which will show an option saying ‘Connect to Satellite’. To send messages, simply use iMessage as you normally would.

How do you send emergency messages in the UK?

In the UK, Emergency SOS via Satellite works on devices from iPhone 14 onwards, allowing users to send messages to emergency services even when there is no phone connection.

Apple advises you should hold the phone naturally in your hand and ensure you have a clean line of sight to the sky where possible, as obstructions can hinder the signal.

Apple advises users to try calling 999 first, as this can sometimes work even if your normal network isn’t available.

If that fails, an option for ‘Emergency Text via Satellite’ appears.

Tap Report Emergency, then answer the emergency questions to describe what has happened. You can choose to alert emergency contacts that you’ve contacted the emergency services, sending them your location and the nature of the emergency.

If you’re in a non-emergency situation, you can access Roadside Assistance, by typing ‘Roadside’ in the text field in Messages.

How does it work?

The satellite connection is free (for now at least) and requires no extra hardware.

It works by sending messages via a satellite hundreds of miles from Earth, rather than via the normal mobile network.

The experience is different: due to the speed that satellites move at, Apple says that messages may take 30 seconds to send in ideal conditions, up to a minute under trees.

Do other phones have this function?

Google’s Pixel 9 phone offers Satellite SOS function, but it’s not yet available in the UK.

Very few Android phones have satellite functions thus far, although more are expected to launch with it in the coming months, including Samsung Galaxy devices.