RIP Garmin Inreach … iPhones to allow satellite messages in ios18

[Redman2216]

The subject says it. iPhone users will be able to send iMessages via satellite when out of service starting with IOS 18. This is a great addition to the current SOS by satellite functionality of the newer iPhones. I will more than likely be retiring my inreach.

Technology can be an awesome money saver sometimes.

 

[ForkieShooter]

What the coverage map looks like?

Satellite should be good anyplace on planet earth.

 

[Nathan]

Looking at the update on Apple website my 15 plus won’t be included. Looks like I have to get a “Pro” to use this feature.

 

[SAJ-99]

Looking at the update on Apple website my 15 plus won’t be included. Looks like I have to get a “Pro” to use this feature.

It is intended to be available on iPhone 14 and newer phones once you download and install iOS 18.

 

[Labman]

IOS 18 now available.

 

[NYyotekiller]

Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone - Apple Support

With iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15, or iPhone 15 Pro, you can use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services when you're off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

support.apple.com

 

[NYyotekiller]

IOS 18 now available.

I think he means IOS 16.

 

[Labman]

I think he means IOS 16.

 

[EastTNHunter]

My update is supposed to happen tonight. I’ll test it tomorrow

 

[jpcoll01]

Works well for situations like hunting where you are walking and can point at a satellite. Not for driving applications.

 

[brymoore]

Wife bought a Iphone16. The satellite messaging description says it will be free for two years and then a fee. Two years is enough time to drive Zoleo and InReach into the ground. One of my sons said Verizon is going to provide satellite messaging soon.

We’ll have to see what Apple charges in two years but I’ll have saved over $800 on Zoleo charges by then.

I deleted my Zoleo account this week and sold my Zoleo last night.

Last usage update. Second son and I texted satellite messenges to each other yesterday getting bird hunting updates 200 miles apart. Very easy to use. We would have never chatted about how our bird hunts were going with Zoleo.

 

[maconbacon]

Any guesses on how much increase in battery drainage (and need for more charges) using this feature this would cause? Any more/less/equal total power need than having a separate device?

 

[brocksw]

Used for the first time this weekend. My thoughts…

A little more sensitive than my inreach. I had trouble getting satellite connection in places I can use my inreach.

Needs to be on SOS to connect to satellite. If my phone said I had 1 bar or even no bars but doesn’t show SOS, I couldn’t get a message out. Quite a few places my phone thinks it has service, shows 1 bar, but I am unable to do anything. I would actually have to drop down behind a ridge so it could go to SOS mode and connect to satellite. This was kind of annoying, but relatively minor.

Super easy to use. It shows you where the satellite is and you need to point your phone at it. Green light shows good connection. Messages go out fairly quickly. No noticeable difference in battery usage, but your phone does have to be off airplane mode and you have to actively keep pointing it at the satellite.

I probably won’t ditch my inreach yet. I can use it anywhere, anytime. Sometimes it takes a bit, but even in some timber I can generally get a message out without much effort. Even when camped in the trees I can just throw my inreach ontop of my tent and then message with my phone from a few feet away. Slow, but it works as long as the canopy is too thick. Messaging through iPhone satellites requires a bit more sky and a little more active effort to use. But if I have a wide open sky it’s faster and more convenient.