If you were among those who purchased a new iPhone in 2022, your device might now feel a little less helpful, at least in emergency situations.
That’s because the two-year free trial of Apple’s Emergency SOS Satellite feature, a groundbreaking technology introduced with the iPhone 14 series, has officially expired.
While Apple has granted users an additional year of free access, the clock is ticking, and the long-term cost of the service remains a mystery.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Apple’s Emergency SOS Satellite feature debuted in November 2022, positioning the company as a leader in integrating satellite telecommunications into flagship phones.
Powered by a partnership with Globalstar, the technology enables users to connect with emergency services or share their location via the Find My app in areas without cellular or WiFi coverage.
When the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max launched, Apple promised a free two-year trial of the Emergency SOS Satellite feature. That period has now come to an end.
However, Apple has extended the free use until at least November 2025, giving users a temporary reprieve before fees are introduced.
As of now, Apple has not disclosed how much the service will cost after the extension ends.
Foundry
For now, iPhone 14 series owners can continue to rely on the Emergency SOS Satellite feature without any immediate cost.
Keep in mind though that the expiration of the initial free period serves as a reminder that this critical service may not remain free forever.
Eventually, users might need to decide whether to pay for ongoing access if Apple introduces pricing after 2025.
But before that happens, we also expect to finally see the iPhone SE 4 in early 2025, as well as the iPhone 17 series in September next year.