Apple is quietly building the next generation of satellite connectivity for iPhones, moving far beyond the current emergency texting features. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company has multiple satellite-powered features in development that could transform how users communicate and navigate when cell towers aren't available. The developments signal Apple's push to make satellite connectivity a mainstream iPhone feature rather than just an emergency backup.
Apple is preparing to turn satellite connectivity from an emergency feature into a core iPhone capability. The company's ambitious roadmap goes well beyond the current emergency SOS and roadside assistance tools that launched with the iPhone 14.
The most significant development is a satellite API that would let third-party app developers integrate space-based connectivity directly into their apps, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This opens the door for messaging apps, navigation tools, and potentially even social media platforms to work in remote locations where cell towers don't reach.
Apple Maps is getting a major offline upgrade as part of this push. Users will be able to navigate and search for locations without any cellular or Wi-Fi connection, relying entirely on satellite data. This positions Apple to compete directly with offline mapping solutions while leveraging its space-based infrastructure.
The company is also working on photo sharing through satellite messaging - a feature that could prove popular with outdoor enthusiasts and travelers in remote areas. Current satellite texting on iPhones is limited to basic text messages, making photo support a significant upgrade.
Perhaps most importantly for user experience, Apple is developing 'natural usage' satellite connectivity. Instead of requiring users to point their phone directly at the sky - a sometimes awkward requirement with current emergency features - the enhanced system will work with more flexible positioning.
These improvements depend heavily on Globalstar, Apple's satellite partner since launching emergency SOS features in 2022. The Louisiana-based company needs substantial infrastructure upgrades to handle the increased data demands, and Apple is helping finance these improvements according to industry reports.
