T-Mobile iPhone users with access to the Starlink beta can now connect to Starlink satellites, thanks to iOS 18.3.
Bloomberg reports that Apple worked quietly with SpaceX and T-Mobile to make this feature possible, and T-Mobile’s website confirms the new integration.
T-Mobile first teamed up with Starlink back in 2022. By December 2024, a beta program was launched, allowing some Samsung users to text via satellite in areas without cell service. iPhones weren’t supported until now.
After updating to iOS 18.3, a few lucky T-Mobile iPhone users got an invite to the beta. They also gained a new setting to enable satellite connectivity. A message from T-Mobile to those users said:
“You’re in the T-Mobile Starlink beta. You can now stay connected with texting via satellite from virtually anywhere. Update to iOS 18.3 to get started.”
Right now, Starlink only supports texting, but data and voice features are in the works. If there’s no cellular signal, iPhones will connect to Starlink satellites automatically.
Apple didn’t comment on this feature, but T-Mobile confirmed that more smartphones will support Starlink in the future. The iPhone 14 and newer already have built-in satellite texting with Globalstar, but Starlink gives users another option when there’s no cell service.
The Starlink beta is free for now but only available in the U.S. T-Mobile plans to open it up to more users soon. Interested customers can sign up for the beta on T-Mobile’s website.
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