Updating to iOS 18 ahead of Hurricane Milton, could help iPhone users stay in touch with friends and family via satellite messaging when there is no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
Why it matters: Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Wednesday and threatens to impact highly populated areas of the Florida coast.
How it works: To connect to a satellite, you need to download the iOS 18 update on iPhone 14 models or later, and be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon.
- To install or check for an update: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- You can then send Apple Messages or SMS messages and share your location using the Find My app via satellite.
- The satellite messaging feature is also available to Google Pixel 9 owners through Settings > Safety and emergency > Satellite SOS > Try a demo
Of note: Apple encourages users to text emergency services using Emergency SOS via satellite, which is available for iPhone 14 or later on iOS 16.1 or later.
Zoom in: The iPhone satellite messaging feature has been a lifeline for some in Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. One Asheville, North Carolina resident Matt Van Swol shared the impact of the feature on X:
Threat level: Hurricane Milton is currently a powerful Category 4 storm that is expected to bring 10 feet or more of storm surge — almost double that of Hurricane Helene, which killed 12 people in Pinellas County alone, Axios’ Sommer Brugal and Andrew Freedman report.