iPhone satellite messaging thread, iOS 18

[BBob]

Backpackinglight.com did some pretty extensive testing of various emergency messaging devices and the difference was pretty obvious on devices using Iridium vs Globastar. Iridium is simply a better platform—especially in dense forest and deep draws; it just makes it easier to acquire satellites.

Yes they did.

Gear Guide: Satellite Messaging Devices ("Messengers") - Backpacking Light

This gear guide summarizes the category of satellite messaging-centric devices, i.e., devices that focus on satellite messaging as its primary, rather than secondary, function. This is in contrast to navigation-centric devices (which usually offer integrated mapping on the device), such as the...

backpackinglight.com

 

[Arizona_archer73]

Not illegal, you may think or want it to be but it's not. The commission has rumored to take it up a few times but it never happened. See if you can find any reference to it in either the regs or ARS code.

https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/22135501/2024-25-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations_241122.pdf

Title 17. Game and Fish, Arizona Revised Statutes

The Arizona Revised Statutes contains Public Health and Safety Law, Criminal Law, Accountancy, Agriculture, Alcoholic Beverages, Banks, Children, Trusts and Estates, Education, Elections, Weapons and Explosives, Property, Tax.

az.elaws.us

You're right. Thank you for the correction- which I always welcome! I just read through the AZGFD regs, and also did a search on any possible keyword I could.

Apparently this is one of those things I was told and forgot the source, then cataloged it as truth. Probably a more experienced friend told me. And, I should know better than to trust any person on regs/laws- always verify by going to the source.

 

[Arizona_archer73]

I got to try my iPhone 16 in the backcountry last week. First learned that you have to get your phone out of airplane mode for the satellite texting to work. A little fiddling w/ moving to find the satellite and my messages did go through.

What didn't happen was the return text making it back to me. That is often a critical piece if you're changing plans and want to know that the person (my wife usually) got the message and knows where to pick me up. With my inReach I can carry on a pretty normal text conversation, often just a minute between sending and receiving a text.

Bakcpackinglight.com did some pretty extensive testing of various emergency messaging devices and the difference was pretty obvious on devices using Iridium vs Globastar. Iridium is simply a better platform—especially in dense forest and deep draws; it just makes it easier to acquire satellites.

So I'm glad the cell phone now has satellite capability, but no way I'm ditching the inReach—based purely on performance and not even taking into effect of the durability between the devices, the battery life etc.

Yeah, I was going to ask someone how is RECEIVING messages. Looks like this post answers that. I had already surmised it takes the same connecting and following a satellite used to send to be able to receive.

So, one would have to sit still, and connect to satellites occasionally to "sync" and receive.

I'll keep using my InReach which doesn't have that limitation. I've sent InReach messages under tree cover- albeit slower. I have Starlink which needs clear line of sight to work. I bet a clear line of sight is needed for SATCOM with phones like Starlink dishes.

My google Pixel 9 Pro apparently added satellite texting functionality. We were camping outside of Prescott, AZ in April 2025 and I tried to send a text during poor cell service, and a pop-up asked if I wanted to use satellite messenger. I tried it for a moment, but aborted. I was on edge of cellular and able to complete a text using cell service.

I'm sure Apple will try to make Google users' satellite texts to iPhone satellite texts still feel like peasants. LOL Marketing.

 

[IdahoBeav]

FYI, with the new Starlink-T-Mobile system, you do not have to follow the satellite, and you can receive texts while the phone is in your pocket.

 

[BBob]

FYI, with the new Starlink-T-Mobile system, you do not have to follow the satellite, and you can receive texts while the phone is in your pocket.

That’s great but until it becomes universal I’ll keep the inReach

 

[JTL28]

I am sticking with the InReach till the first generation of phones gets figured out.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[huntnful]

I used the satellite messaging for the first time last weekend. It was easy and worked exceptionally. MUCH better than in-reach messaging.

I won’t get rid of the in-reach though because of the SOS feature with your exact location included. A backup emergency device isn’t a bad thing. But definitely won’t be using it for messaging anymore.

 

[jgross424]

I used the satellite messaging for the first time last weekend. It was easy and worked exceptionally. MUCH better than in-reach messaging.

I won’t get rid of the in-reach though because of the SOS feature with your exact location included. A backup emergency device isn’t a bad thing. But definitely won’t be using it for messaging anymore.

Wait till you try Starlink. It’s even better

 

[wapitibob]

Used it again last weekend, until it said "next satellite in 6 minutes". It'll never replace a zoleo or inreach.

 

[Buglebrush]

The T-Mobile Starlink service is amazing! Used it in Central Idaho Wilderness the last week of June and I was super impressed. We could text back and forth so quickly and easily. Game changer

 

[Bobrobheimer]

I used the satellite messaging for the first time last weekend. It was easy and worked exceptionally. MUCH better than in-reach messaging.

I won’t get rid of the in-reach though because of the SOS feature with your exact location included. A backup emergency device isn’t a bad thing. But definitely won’t be using it for messaging anymore.

I had great results with the IPhone satellite messaging last fall but this year it has been really bad. Even when connected to a satellite it struggles. Used to have a SPOT and canceled it through the winter. Started out with just the phone this spring but quickly realized it wasn’t going to cut it. Got an inreach and have had good results with that so far.