(Credit: Eric Zeman)
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Apple is reportedly working on five new satellite-connectivity features.
As Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports, an Apple Maps integration would allow you to use navigation tools without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Coupled with the company's existing Emergency SOS feature, this could prove helpful if you're stuck in a remote area.
Another feature would allow you to send photos on Apple's iMessage app through a satellite connection. Late last year, Apple introduced messaging over satellite-based tech, but it doesn't currently allow multimedia messages. (SpaceX's cellular Starlink on T-Mobile supports them.)
The report also says Apple plans to launch new 5G NTN tech on the iPhone 18 series in 2026. As noted by The Information, the company aims to utilize the technology to enhance cellular tower coverage by connecting to satellites in specific scenarios.
Gurman’s report also says Apple is considering introducing new developer tools to enable third-party apps to incorporate satellite functionality, another feature that T-Satellite already supports.
The fifth feature includes what Gurman refers to as "natural usage" improvements. This includes changes to make satellite connectivity easier to use, such as eliminating the need to hold the phone toward the sky. The report specifically notes that users can use their device in a car, indoors, or in their pocket.
The report also says Apple isn't currently planning to introduce phone calls, video calls, or web browsing over satellite. All of these new features remain rumors for now, and we won't know for certain whether these features are happening until Apple officially announces them.
A timeline is also unclear, so it may be some time before we hear from Apple. Gurman notes how the brand may also charge for some of this functionality, unlike its existing satellite features.