How to use satellite messaging during Hurricane Milton with iPhones

• Hurricane Milton may disrupt power and cell service in Florida.
• iPhone 14 and later models with iOS 18 offer satellite messaging when cellular service is unavailable.
• Satellite messaging helped users communicate during Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Milton threatens to knock out power lines and cell service in Florida, but you may have a handy emergency feature right in your pocket — your iPhone.

Those who own iPhone 14 models or later with iOS 18 installed can use satellite messaging on their devices if cellular service becomes unavailable. After Hurricane Helene, iPhone owners praised the feature for allowing them to communicate without WiFi or cellular coverage.

“Due to the lack of cell service, EVERYONE in Asheville NC right now on iOS 18 has been able to send messages with the satellite messaging feature,” Matt Van Swol, Asheville, NC resident, he wrote on X. “This literally saves lives.”

Here’s how to make sure your iPhone is set up to send messages via satellite if Hurricane Milton knocks out connectivity in your area.

There are a few things you want to make sure are ready before cellular and WiFi loss.

• Turn on iMessage.
• Make sure your iPhone and the iPhones of anyone you might want to contact are updated to iOS 18.
• Make sure you’ve recently communicated via iMessage (within the last month, according to Apple) with any iPhone you want to satellite.

You can also send satellite SMS messages to non-iPhone mobile numbers, but you have to send them messages first before their messages can reach you, according to Apple’s website.

If cellular sites are down and you need to find a way to send text messages, here’s how to use Apple’s satellite messaging on your iPhone.

1. Go to the Messages app.
2. A prompt should automatically appear if you don’t have cellular and WiFi coverage. Tap Use satellite messages.
3. Follow the instructions to connect your iPhone to a satellite. You will need to be outside with an unobstructed view of the sky and may need to move to higher ground for a stronger connection.
4. Enter your message and send it.

Satellite messaging is not an iPhone-exclusive tool. Some Google Pixel and Android models also have access to this feature.

If you’re in an emergency, Apple’s website says iPhone owners should use the Emergency SOS feature to contact emergency services.

However, satellite messaging can allow families to connect and let each other know they are safe during Hurricane Milton.