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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: iPhone satellite reports?
 
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SethroTull
05/14/2025 10:32PM
 
Just got back. I was able to send texts via satellite on my iPhone 16 without any trouble. With that said, it’s still mostly beta technology for cellphones. It might still be worth it to rent or use a satellite phone or messaging system.


But, just wanted to report that it worked out just fine for me.
 
AluminumBarge
05/10/2025 12:50AM
 
You can test this out yourself, there is a demo feature in settings under Emergency SOS.

 
AluminumBarge
05/10/2025 12:50AM
 


 
Karl
05/09/2025 08:43PM
 
I haven’t used it in the BWCA but I’ve used it in wilderness & mountain areas in Washington state and it works.


I still bring my Garmin InReach on my trips for emergency reliability though.
 
wxce1260
05/09/2025 08:52PM
 
Worked great with the T-Mobile starlink network.
 
SethroTull
05/09/2025 02:46PM
 
Heading out of Sawbill in a few days and wondering if anybody has tried out the iPhone satellite texting option with iOS 18? Just got the 16 model today and hoping to send messages to my significant other outside of Verizon’s coverage.

I’ve read through everything I could find on here and other places, but I haven’t seen any reports of anybody who actually used it. Thanks!
 
sns
05/10/2025 05:05AM
 
Same as others...not yet up north but will try it there in a week.


Have some dead zones around my farm and got it to work without issue. Read up on it and follow the steps.


Only minor complaint is the recipient gets some indication that your message came from and/or that the reply will be received by satellite.


Which is sort of fine, though there are some work contacts that I'd prefer not know that I am off on yet another wilderness trip.
 
Cc26
05/10/2025 09:05PM
 
Do you know if this will work with other/older models? I only use mine phone for pictures up there, but would be nice to know if I could send my wife a message without using our garmin
 
SethroTull
05/10/2025 09:54AM
 
Thanks everybody for the replies. I connected to the satellite just fine using the demo, I’m assuming this will work out just fine. I’ll report back when I’m back from my trip.
 
sns
05/10/2025 09:43PM
 
Cc26: "Do you know if this will work with other/older models? I only use mine phone for pictures up there, but would be nice to know if I could send my wife a message without using our garmin "


My understanding is that iPhone 14 & up have this capability.
 
Cc26
05/10/2025 09:52PM
 
Hahaha of course…. I have the 13… and just paid it off a few months ago- oh well looks like I will continue to use the garmin