Nov 10, 2025 10:24:00

Apple is planning to add satellite features to the iPhone, such as an API that will allow app makers to support satellite connectivity in their apps and Apple Maps for navigation via satellite.

Apple offers satellite communication capabilities on

its iPhone and Apple Watch , and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a frequent source of Apple-related leaks, has reported that Apple plans to expand this functionality beyond its existing ' Emergency SOS ' feature.

Apple iPhone Satellite Plans: Image Texting, Third-Party Apps; Low-Cost MacBook - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-11-09/apple-iphone-satellite-plans-image-texting-third-party-apps-low-cost-macbook-mhrq10p2

Apple reportedly plans ambitious satellite-powered iPhone features | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/09/apple-reportedly-plans-ambitious-satellite-powered-iphone-features/

This is what Apple has in store for the future of satellite connectivity on iPhone: report - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/09/iphone-satellite-connectivity-future-updates-and-features/

Apple offers satellite communication capabilities on its iPhone and Apple Watch, allowing users to contact emergency SOS and road service even in areas without mobile or Wi-Fi signals.

Apple is apparently planning to expand this satellite communication feature with features such as: 'APIs that allow app makers to support satellite connections in their apps; Apple Maps that allows navigation even without a mobile or Wi-Fi signal; the ability to send photos in Messages even without a mobile or Wi-Fi signal; and the ability to connect to a satellite without pointing your iPhone at the sky.'

Additionally, The Information points out the possibility of improving 5G networks by connecting to satellite communications to expand coverage (the range of areas where radio waves can be sent and received).

Garman said these basic features will be provided free of charge, with more advanced support requiring a fee from the carrier.

Additionally, Globalstar, Apple's partner in satellite communications services, will reportedly need to upgrade its infrastructure to accommodate these upgrades, and Apple is said to be providing financial assistance for the upgrades.

Gurman also reiterated that Apple is in the process of signing a deal to use Google's generative AI, Gemini, to rebuild its voice assistant, Siri, in a deal reportedly worth $1 billion per year.

Apple pays Google 150 billion yen a year to adopt Gemini's custom model for the new Siri - GIGAZINE

It has also been reported that Apple is preparing a low-cost MacBook for the education market.