(Credit: PCMag/Michael Kan)
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T-Mobile appears to have quietly expanded its cellular Starlink service to support satellite-based data for more apps, including WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter).
Officially, T-Mobile kicked off the satellite data connectivity on Thursday with only three mobile apps: Google Maps, Google Messages, and Find Hub. But on the same day, the carrier updated its support page to mention nine more apps:
- AccuWeather, the popular weather app
- AllTrails, a hiking trail app
- Google Personal Safety, which can help you connect to emergency services
- onX Backcountry, another hiking trail and mapping app
- onX Hunt, which offers wildlife hunting maps
- onX Offroad, a navigation app for off-road vehicles
- T-Life, T-Mobile’s official app
- X
The broader support certainly makes the capability more useful. Previously, the cellular Starlink service was limited to texting and sharing locations from cellular dead zones. It now looks like SpaceX’s orbiting satellites can support posting tweets, sending WhatsApp messages, and pushing out weather notifications.
The WhatsApp support is especially interesting since Google teased that its Pixel 10 phones support satellite calls through the popular messaging app. On Thursday, Google also told PCMag, "This feature is available in the US through [T-Mobile’s] T-Satellite with Starlink.”
You’d think T-Mobile would want to tout the increased app support. But when reached for comment, the carrier said only that "The support page is the best place to see which apps have been tuned" for the cellular Starlink service. So, it might be treading lightly or still in a testing phase. For now, satellite connectivity to apps is only available on Google Pixel 10 phones, which received early access to the feature.
T-Mobile's support page adds: "We are beginning to roll out satellite data as eligible devices and apps become available… Some app functionality may be different or not available on satellite.” In addition, the carrier previously told us that the satellite-to-mobile app connectivity will lag in speed and performance compared with ground-based cell networks.
SpaceX’s partner in Japan, mobile phone company KDDI, is also offering the cellular Starlink service. On Thursday, KDDI’s Au mobile carrier announced broad support for satellite data support for 20 mobile apps, including X.
T-Mobile plans to do the same, but not more widely until Oct. 1, when it officially launches the feature by opening access to other phone models. Unfortunately, 14 phones won’t receive support for satellite data.