Apple Expands Emergency SOS via Satellite to UK, France, Germany, and Ireland

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Ireland have been added to the list.

When cellular and wi-fi coverage isn't available, emergency calls from the Emergency SOS feature can be routed to local emergency services facilities.

The Emergency SOS via Satellite feature is free to use for two years for all iPhone 14 users, regardless of country of residence. It's designed to allow for emergency calls to be made using satellite when there's no cellular or internet connection.

Apple says that with the release of iOS 16.2, expected later today, users who dial a local emergency service number will automatically be routed to 112, the European emergency phone number, if the call does not go through due to a cellular or Wi-Fi connection not being available, enabling them to utilize Emergency SOS via satellite even if they don't dial 112.

"Emergency SOS via satellite makes emergency communications over satellite more accessible, which is very exciting,” said Gary Machado, the European Emergency Number Association's CEO. "In practice, it means that many more people will be able to contact 112 when they have no mobile coverage and need urgent assistance. We are confident that this will save many lives and offer significant help to emergency services dealing with these often very complicated rescues."

"Being able to use a satellite connection to contact 999 or 112 if there is no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is a breakthrough that Apple has brought to the general public with iPhone 14," said John Anthony, the British Association of Public Safety Communications Officials' president. "The feature will mean that emergency services can be alerted when it was not previously possible and are then able to do their jobs to better effect, in part because of the initial information that can be shared with dispatchers, such as location and essential details about the emergency. Ultimately, this will help save lives."

Apple said at the time that it would expand to France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK by the end of the year. Apple will support more countries in the future.

The Find My app can be used to update a location without internet or cell phone service.