November 11, 2025, 6:44 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Apple was the first smartphone manufacturer to recognize the potential of satellite technology for mobile communication. This advantage could pay off with new features that make apps like Messages and Apple Maps less dependent on network operators.
Navigation with Apple Maps via Satellite
For several years, Apple has been working to make iPhones less reliant on cellular networks. In 2022, the company introduced satellite-based SOS calls for the iPhone. The in-house Satellite Connectivity Group (SCG) is responsible for the development. Since 2024, Apple has also become the majority shareholder of its satellite partner Globalstar through the purchase of $400 million in shares. This gives Apple the key to a new form of mobile communication beyond traditional cellular providers.
In his Bloomberg newsletter “Power On,” Mark Gurman reports on five new satellite-based features Apple is working on. One of the most significant is likely the integration of Apple Maps with the satellite network. While map services like Google Maps support offline navigation on previously downloaded sections, satellite connectivity could enable real-time map data and traffic information without an internet connection. For iPhone users, Apple’s own service would thus have a significant advantage—and could even pose a threat to market leader Google.
Additional Satellite Features for the iPhone
Apple also plans to open the satellite interface to third-party apps. These could then incorporate communication and potentially other features like maps via satellite. For its own Messages app, Apple is reportedly working on additional capabilities such as sending images, which requires significantly more bandwidth than plain text messages.
Also of interest: Amazon Becomes a Provider of Satellite Internet in Germany
To give iPhone owners more incentive to use the satellite function, an improvement in the user experience is necessary. Currently, satellite communication is only possible outdoors. According to Gurman, there are plans to enable use in pockets and indoors. A first step in this direction is satellite access via 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). “The Information” reported in October that the iPhone 18 could already support this technology.