Apple Integrates SpaceX Starlink Support for Satellite Connectivity on iPhones
Apple has partnered with SpaceX and T-Mobile to introduce Starlink satellite connectivity in its latest iPhone software update, offering users an alternative to its existing Globalstar-powered satellite service.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Apple has been quietly testing Starlink support on iPhones, and the iOS 18.3 update, released on Monday, now includes this capability. This development is significant, as T-Mobile previously only announced Starlink support for Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy Z Fold and S24 models.
T-Mobile has now begun enrolling iPhone users in a beta program for the Starlink service. The first participants received a text confirming their access to satellite texting via Starlink, with instructions to update to iOS 18.3. A new toggle switch in iPhone cellular data settings allows users to enable the feature.
While Apple has been providing satellite-based emergency messaging via Globalstar since 2022, this new collaboration with SpaceX opens the door for expanded connectivity options. Unlike Globalstar, which requires users to point their iPhone at the sky to connect, Starlink-enabled iPhones will automatically link to satellites—even while inside a user’s pocket.
For now, the Starlink integration only supports texting, but T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to introduce data and voice capabilities in the future. The service is currently limited to the U.S., whereas Apple’s Globalstar service operates in multiple countries.
T-Mobile has also begun allowing some Android users running Android 15 to participate in the beta. SpaceX, meanwhile, has received conditional approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to integrate its satellite network with T-Mobile’s service.
As Apple continues to expand its satellite communication strategy, this partnership with SpaceX could mark a major shift in global connectivity, particularly for users in remote areas with limited or no cellular coverage.
