According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a range of new satellite connectivity features for the iPhone as part of a broader strategy to expand connectivity options for its customers beyond traditional mobile carriers.
Gurman says there have been internal discussions at Apple about whether the company should launch its own satellite service. Still, some executives argued that Apple is not a carrier and should not act like one.
Satellite connectivity features that may land in the future generation of iPhones include:
- Satellite over 5G: iPhones set to launch in 2026 are expected to support 5G NTN, a technology that enables cellular towers to use satellite infrastructure to increase coverage.
- Adding support for photos in satellite messaging: Apple may soon allow users to send pictures through the Messages app via satellite connectivity, expanding on the current capability that only supports sending text messages.
- Satellite framework for third-party apps: Developers within the Apple ecosystem may soon gain access to an API that allows them to integrate satellite connectivity into their apps. However, support will vary, and not all features or services will be compatible.
- Natural usage: Apple users may no longer need to manually point their devices toward the sky to establish a satellite connection, enabling seamless connectivity in a wider range of situations.
- Satellite-powered Apple Maps: This feature enables users to navigate on Apple Maps even when they don’t have cellular or Wi-Fi access.
Apple currently relies on Globalstar’s satellite infrastructure, and enabling the features mentioned above would require a substantial upgrade to Globalstar’s satellite network and related systems. Meanwhile, Globalstar is reportedly in talks with SpaceX regarding a potential acquisition, which could eventually help accelerate the rollout of these capabilities for Apple.
Apple also plans to offer these satellite-driven features at no cost, while allowing users to pay carriers, SpaceX, or other satellite providers for access to more advanced features.
While SpaceX is securing agreements with mobile carriers to enable phone and video calls via satellite connectivity, Gurman says that Apple currently has no plans to offer similar capabilities.
