A brand new feature of iOS 18, inaugurated only a few days ago, has just proven itself in dramatic conditions.
Americans, victims of Hurricane Helene, were in fact able to communicate via text message, thanks to a providential satellite connection.
The American site 9to5mac reports that many victims, deprived of electricity and cellular services, were nevertheless able to contact emergency services thanks to a brand new iOS functionality. Deployed for only two weeks, this functionality allows you to send messages by connecting to the nearest satellite. For this to work, you must be outside, with a clear view of the sky and then point your iPhone towards the nearest communications satellite. On-screen instructions help you get the signal correctly.
Afterwards, many users of this feature testified on social networks that it probably saved many lives. As a reminder, it is currently only available via iOS 18, in the United States, and only from an iPhone 14 or a more recent model.
In 2022, Apple had already launched the first emergency calls by satellite, using the same model. Note that this technology also allows you to manually share your position by satellite with Locate, so that you can be located in a white zone and help can intervene if necessary.
Note that Android 15, which is due to be deployed this fall, will also inaugurate this type of service. It’s up to smartphone manufacturers to now make them compatible and thus align with Apple.
The toll from Hurricane Helene shows more than 200 deaths, in addition to considerable damage in the southeast of the United States.
