Connecting iPhone and Android to an emergency satellite before Hurricane Milton:

As Hurricane Milton makes landfall in the Tampa region on Wednesday evening, it is anticipated that a great deal of destruction will be brought to the west coast of Florida.

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Power outages and disruptions to mobile phone service might continue for many days after the storm has passed, as was the case in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which occurred at the end of the previous month. In addition, the area may sustain physical damage.
As locals get ready for the impact, there are a number of satellite connection alternatives available for the most recent versions of the iPhone and Android. These choices make it easier for citizens to communicate with their loved ones and emergency officials in the event of power shortages.

A iPhone

According to Apple, owners of iPhone 14 and later models are able to link their smartphones to a satellite in order to send texts to emergency services, seek roadside help, contact friends and family, and share locations, even when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.

On the other hand, the business claims that the low bandwidth may have an effect on the user experience. This is due to the fact that hundreds of miles away from Earth, satellites are situated and moved at a quick pace.

It is possible that it would take thirty seconds to transmit a message if the circumstances were perfect and there was a clear view of the sunset and the sky. According to the information provided on the company’s website, “it may take more than a minute to send under trees with light or medium foliage.”

In order to get the best possible outcomes, Apple suggests using the device outdoors with a clear view of the horizon, moving away from barriers like trees, sending shorter messages, and upgrading to the most recent version of iOS.

You may connect to a satellite by first opening Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of your iPhone and then tapping the Cellular button that is located on the right side of the screen. After selecting Satellite, choose a satellite feature from the menu.

In preparation for the storm and for crises in general, Apple suggests that you add vital medical information and emergency contacts to your Medical ID inside the Health app. This is a recommendation that applies to both situations.

Android:

Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold are the models that have the potential to connect to Google’s satellite services. These models are available to Android users who are interested in connecting to Google’s satellite services.

According to Google, “This feature will be activated once all of the necessary software and APIs are updated and the service is registered with the satellite network.” The feature is referred to as Satellite SOS.

The firm claims that consumers will be alerted once the function is operational; nevertheless, the status may be verified in the settings app whenever it is available.

In the event that you are unable to connect to a mobile or Wi-Fi network and want assistance from emergency services, you may call 911 on any of the Pixel models that have been mentioned above. Within the dialer, you will discover an option to utilize Satellite SOS.

At that point, you will be able to fill out the emergency questionnaire by tapping Satellite SOS and then pressing the start button.

Android users should go to the Personal Safety app on their phones in order to set up emergency contacts who will get updates on their position and status while they are using Satellite SOS.

Link to the Stars

Through a partnership with T-Mobile, Elon Musk’s Starlink is providing direct-to-cell connectivity to locations that are anticipated to be affected by Hurricane Milton.

“We have accelerated the rollout of Starlink direct to cell phone connectivity for areas affected by the hurricanes,” Musk wrote on X early on Wednesday morning. “Helicopters have caused widespread damage in these areas.” “This is being provided free of charge by SpaceX and TMobile to help those in need,” he stated in addition.There is no cost associated with activating Starlink for new customers, and Musk has said that the service would be compatible with carriers other than T-Mobile.

If a phone is able to establish a connection with a Starlink satellite, it will display “T-Mobile SpaceX” in the network name and have one to two bars of signal, as stated by SpaceX.”Users may have to manually retry text messages if they don’t go through at first, as this is being delivered on a best-effort basis,” the organization noted on the website X.

“The service works best outdoors and occasionally works indoors near a window,” SpaceX said in their announcement.

Conclusion

As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s west coast, residents face potential power outages and communication disruptions. Fortunately, satellite connection options for both iPhone and Android devices, along with Starlink’s direct-to-cell service, provide critical lifelines for staying connected with emergency services and loved ones. Apple’s iPhone users can utilize satellite features to send emergency texts and share locations, while Google’s Satellite SOS on select Pixel models offers similar functionality for Android users. Additionally, Starlink, in collaboration with T-Mobile, offers free satellite connectivity to those in impacted areas. With these technologies, residents can maintain communication during the storm, ensuring access to crucial help and information.