iPhone satellite messaging thread, iOS 18

[LookinforDirt]

For those that have access and have used it, what’s been your experience?

I used mine for the first time yesterday and it was meh. I had to follow the satellite around with my phone to get one message to send. Took awhile to send it, approximately 5 minutes. If I didn’t regularly adjust my phone to point at the satellite it would disconnect. This was while I was 20 feet up in a tree. I gave up on the second message I tried to send while in the tree because I got tired of doing circles following the satellite. On the ground with very little tree cover overhead I tried for a number of minutes and gave up. It was connecting to the satellite but the message never sent. By comparison, my InReach Mini sent messages on the ground, in the tree, and no aiming it all over the sky. Just pressed Send and got back to hiking or hunting. It may have taken just as long to send but I didn’t have to do circles. It was an overcast day but it was overcast for both devices.

I’m glad iPhone/iOS 18 have this feature and it might come in handy at times. But in my limited experience with it, the satellite connection is weak and needing to follow the satellite around with your phone to stay connected is a real pain. Maybe if I just let the phone sit it would have eventually sent as the satellite passed by. Apple will likely improve it over time too. I think many people are hoping to ditch their standalone satellite messaging/emergency device with this feature now available on an iPhone. In its current state though I don’t see the iPhone ready for that responsibility.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

IOS 18 is available

free satellite texting

rokslide.com

read this if you haven't, @jrb CO has personal experience

 

[180ls1]

 

[LookinforDirt]

IOS 18 is available

free satellite texting

rokslide.com

read this if you haven't, @jrb CO has personal experience

Thanks!

 

[northernalpine]

The satellite providers are on opposite ends of the spectrum for Apple (Globalstar) and inReach/Zoleo (Iridium). Historically, Iridium has been light years ahead of Globalstar in terms of constellation density, message integrity, and throughput. Globalstar initiated an updated LEO program a while back, I imagine the new contract with Apple is going to push a significant amount of resources to making it better over time.

 

[wapitibob]

I thought about trying iOS 18 but my zoleo is flawless and quick.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I used it last weekend. Impressive. Much quicker than in reach. “If” you maintain a sat lock, it is nearly as instant as normal LTE messaging. Seconds not minutes.

 

[northernalpine]

I used it last weekend. Impressive. Much quicker than in reach. “If” you maintain a sat lock, it is nearly as instant as normal LTE messaging. Seconds not minutes.

Great to hear feedback of it not only working, but working well.

 

[mineral4x]

I was going to wait to hear others experience in general, but didn't know satellite messaging was a feature so now I'm downloading 18 tonight. Thanks.

 

[wesleyelee88]

I just came back from an elk hunt and used the satellite messaging. It is cool but won't be replacing my InReach. You have to be locked into the satellite before you send or receive a text, on the InReach, you hit send and it searches for the satellite until it can send the message. Same for receiving texts, the InReach is set to automatically check for messages at preset intervals and searches on its own for the satellite without being prompted. The iPhone took more of my time trying to send and receive. Me and a buddy use satellite communication for hunting the same area to communicate where to meet for lunch, what time to meet back at the truck etc.

 

[csrichardson97]

I was up in Alaska in Denali National Park, 0 service. Used the feature several times. Had to wait 2-3 min for a satellite to become available, then I just had to point my phone where it asked me to, and was able to send and receive several texts within 2-3 min. Used it several times throughout my trip to put it through the paces.

Overall its a huge win, it is functional as they advertise. I don't understand those who complain about the feature, it works. I consider this and Garmin as a way to get in contact during emergencies, not just for convenience.

It works as intended.