Following a strong Q4 and 2024, T-Mobile US highlighted how its Starlink Satellite connectivity aided the victims of California wildfires.

T-Mobile partnered with SpaceX last year and launched a beta program for Starlink connectivity last December. However, the company originally only offered the option on Samsung phones. Now, this has been expanded to the iPhone as well.

Starlink support appears to be a secret iOS 18.3 feature for iPhones, some of which now support satellite communication services from SpaceX — but only for users invited to join public beta testing of the service on US carrier T-Mobile. This supplements Apple’s existing satellite services supplier, Globalstar.

T-Mobile is expanding its Starlink beta program. Now, some iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users can connect to SpaceX's satellites.

As of iOS 18.3, T-Mobile subscribers with a compatible iPhone and Starlink beta access are able to connect to Starlink satellites, reports

Apple collaborates with SpaceX and T-Mobile to integrate Starlink connectivity into iPhones, offering satellite communication in areas lacking cellula

Medium resolution images, music & audio podcasts should work with the current generation Starlink direct-to-phone constellation.The first users received text messages from T-Mobile

Apple Inc. ha estado trabajando en secreto con SpaceX y T-Mobile US Inc. para añadir soporte para la red Starlink en su último software para iPhone, proporcionando una alternativa al servicio interno de comunicación por satélite de la empresa.

Starlink internet is available through its satellite and now iPhone users can test the service to send images or listen to podcast.

Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL users are now included in the beta and will be able to use satellite messaging.

Elon Musk confirms Apple quietly adds Starlink to iPhones in iOS 18.3: medium res images, music, audio podcasts should work fine, next-gen will be faster.