This Apple iPhone feature “saved lives” during Hurricane Helene

• Hurricane Helene victims used iPhones for satellite messaging amid power and cell outages.
• Asheville residents praised Apple for the feature and usefulness.
• PSA videos on social media urged iOS 18 updates for iPhone 14 users to stay connected.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, those without power or cell service are turning their iPhones into satellite phones.

Several public service announcements on social media urged those affected by Hurricane Helene to update to iOS 18 if they can. For those who own an iPhone 14 or later, this could be a lifeline for loved ones or lifesavers.

An X thread by Asheville resident Matt Van Swol demonstrated how useful the iPhone’s satellite messaging feature was for those without WiFi or cell service. Van Swol said he’s “never been more grateful to be an iPhone user” and responded more with their praise of the iOS 18 feature.

“Due to the lack of cell service, EVERYONE in Asheville NC at this time on iOS 18 was able to send messages with the satellite messaging feature,” wrote Van Swol, head of subscription growth at Wyze.

Van Swol did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for an interview.

He wasn’t the only one who said the satellite messaging feature was a lifesaver. Another user said they could still communicate while blocked by fallen trees and power lines.

Those who didn’t know about the feature or didn’t have access to it weren’t as lucky. Jeneane Nicodemus wrote for BI that she lost contact with her daughter in Asheville for three days when the hurricane hit North Carolina.

About 370 of North Carolina’s 1,452 cell sites were out of service due to the power outage as of 9 a.m. ET Monday, according to a Federal Communications Commission report.

As the storm tore through the north, explainer videos and calls to action started circulating on TikTok to make sure people in its path knew how to enable satellite on iOS 18.

And it’s not an iPhone-only tool. Some Google Pixel models also have access to satellite messaging.

Many said they used it to let family members know they were safe, although Apple’s official website advises against it in emergency situations. Instead, Apple said iPhone owners should use it to text emergency services if they need urgent help.

Still, Van Swol said it makes a difference.