Android satellite link for texting

[Rotnguns]

While grouse hunting yesterday, I found that my new Samsung S25 phone, on the Verizon unlimited data plan, supported satellite texting. Seemed to work ok; took awhile to orient the phone for a satellite connection. The app appears in the form of an option if you try to text a comment in a region without cell coverage, and it prompts you to find the optimal orientation. It took a few minutes to connect and to send and receive. From what I understand, the Android satellite feature is limited to S25 and Pixel 9 or later phones, on T Mobile or Verizon plans.

 

[Firestone]

Dang. I know a signed up for the starlink texting on an older android and it works awesome

 

[SteveCNJ]

This is great. I switched back to Verizon yesterday and got a free S25+.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

 

[camping1601]

Yeah sounds like it uses low orbit fixed position satellites so once you get it oriented your good for as long as you don't move your phone.

 

[grfox92]

Has anyone been texting using your s25? I got none last week specifically for Sat texting as my zoleo shit the bed.

It flat out doesn't work. I had to leave the back country and drive to service to let my wife know I was still alive. Pretty frustrating.

 

[cqh1111]

I bought an s25+ in August because of the satellite texting and it didn't work for me either.

 

[Rotnguns]

Has anyone been texting using your s25? I got none last week specifically for Sat texting as my zoleo shit the bed.

It flat out doesn't work. I had to leave the back country and drive to service to let my wife know I was still alive. Pretty frustrating.

My understanding is that sat texting for the S25 is limited to T Mobile and Verizon plans. I'm on an unlimited data plan with Verizon. That being said, the functionality does require patience to implement. You can't be moving (even a slow walk) and the android takes awhile to find a satellite and establish a link.

 

[Jdeck09]

I used it for my pixel in NM. Honestly, it was complete dogshit. It would connect and I managed to get a few texts to my wife out (iPhone). I could not see any responses from her even when connected and everything seemed extremely spotty. Compared to the iPhones in camp that basically held conversations via satellite text it was disappointing.

 

[mcr-85]

I have an S25 and Verizon and have used the satellite messaging with it. Sometimes it gives me the option to connect to satellite and sometimes it doesn't. I don't think I'd rely on it for a life or death situation. Slow glassing mornings I've been able to connect and text back and forth

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

 

[taskswap]

My understanding is that sat texting for the S25 is limited to T Mobile and Verizon plans. I'm on an unlimited data plan with Verizon. That being said, the functionality does require patience to implement. You can't be moving (even a slow walk) and the android takes awhile to find a satellite and establish a link.

Correct although if you have a dual-SIM phone (which many Androids are) and don't mind paying extra you can get the T-Satellite option as an add-on. I was given this answer when I asked support about it because I'm on Google Fi, which is a T-Mobile MVNO but not considered an official "T-Mobile plan." I haven't pulled the trigger yet myself, but others online seem to confirm it.

 

[grfox92]

My understanding is that sat texting for the S25 is limited to T Mobile and Verizon plans. I'm on an unlimited data plan with Verizon. That being said, the functionality does require patience to implement. You can't be moving (even a slow walk) and the android takes awhile to find a satellite and establish a link.

I have Verizon. Spent 2 days and 1 night ******* with it while glassing for mule deer and it would never prompt me to connect to satellite. My buddy has Verizon and I phone and was texting like he was sitting on his couch with no issues. I didn't need a new phone and got it specifically for the sat texting. I'm hot.

Going to Verizon today to demand no restocking fee and an I Phone.

Sent from my SM-S731U using Tapatalk

 

[mcr-85]

I have Verizon. Spent 2 days and 1 night ******* with it while glassing for mule deer and it would never prompt me to connect to satellite. My buddy has Verizon and I phone and was texting like he was sitting on his couch with no issues. I didn't need a new phone and got it specifically for the sat texting. I'm hot.

Going to Verizon today to demand no restocking fee and an I Phone.

Sent from my SM-S731U using Tapatalk

That's the biggest issue I find is I can't manually decide when I want to use satellite. I have to wait for the prompt. I'm sure someday it will be always on like an Inreach. Right now it is just ok

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[grfox92]

That's the biggest issue I find is I can't manually decide when I want to use satellite. I have to wait for the prompt. I'm sure someday it will be always on like an Inreach. Right now it is just ok

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

Just to update the thread and the issue I was having. Verizon was claiming the S25 Galaxys were satellite texting equipped. My previous phone was an S21 FE. The girl at Verizon set me up with an S25 FE "to be with the same phone I had."

When I got to Verizon I spoke with the manager and he did some digging. Turns out the FE is the only S25 that CAN NOT satellite text.

They put me in the premium S25 and the satellite texting works great.

PSA though. This is NOT a replacement for Zoleo or Inreach. We had some extremely overcast and snowy days and I could not get text out. Zoleo has always worked no matter the conditions as has InReach.

In good weather it works as good or better than my Zoleo. So my plan is to get another Zoleo or InReach and just leave it charged but off in my pack incase satellite messaging on my phone doesn't work due to weather or anything else.

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[Scott SK]

How much does it cost? Is it included in your existing plan?

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Yeah sounds like it uses low orbit fixed position satellites so once you get it oriented your good for as long as you don't move your phone.

There's no such thing as a low orbit fixed position satellite. The only fixed position satellites are geosynchronous.