Here is how you can still send messages on your phone if cell service goes out

(Gray News) - If you find yourself in an emergency without power or cell service, you might still be able to text loved ones via satellite.

If you have an iPhone or Google phone, you are in luck.

In the new iOS18 update, iPhone 14 and newer users can send messages via satellite.

The feature is an expansion of the Emergency SOS via satellite feature introduced with the iPhone 14 allowing users to contact emergency services if they were off the grid without cell service or WiFi.

Now, iPhone users can also send texts through iMessage to their emergency contacts as long as everyone has iOS 18 installed. You will need to add your emergency contacts to your Medical ID before you go off the grid.

To use the feature, your iPhone will have a Connection Assistant that will give instructions on connecting. To connect to a satellite, you must be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon.

Apple said if you are in an emergency without cell service, you should use Emergency SOS, which also relies on satellite technology.

If you have a Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, you can also send messages via satellite.

You will need to set Google Messages as your default messaging app.

To contact emergency services without cell service, you can dial 911 immediately and be connected.

To contact your emergency contacts, you can tap Satellite SOS, then Use Satellite SOS and then Start. You will then describe your emergency, and then to notify your emergency contact, you can tap Notify. If you do not want your emergency contacts to receive the information, you can tap Don’t Notify.

To connect to the satellite, you can follow the on-screen instructions on how to position your phone.

Full instructions for sending satellite messages can be found on Apple’s website and Google’s website.

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