PSA: Install iOS 18 with Messages via satellite for your Hurricane Milton prep

9TO5Mac ^ | October 7, 2024 | Ryan Christoffel

[House Atreides]

Hurricane Milton currently looks like an extremely dangerous threat to the state of Florida. If you are in Milton’s path, or you know someone who is, there’s a key piece of hurricane prep I highly recommend: install iOS 18 so you can start using Messages via satellite.

Messages via satellite lets you contact family and friends when your iPhone loses connection.

As I write this, Hurricane Milton is expected to hit the state of Florida on Wednesday night. I’m a Florida resident, so I’m currently in the middle of evacuating with my family to get to a safe area. If you’re a Florida local, or you know someone who is, I have one item of hurricane prep to add to your to-do list: install iOS 18.

There’s a key new iPhone feature in iOS 18 that’s perfect for emergency situations. It’s called Messages via satellite.

Essentially, with Messages via satellite you can contact friends and family using a satellite connection on your iPhone.

So if cell towers get knocked out, or you lose power and Wi-Fi access, there’s a backup solution available for important communications.

After installing iOS 18, you can do a demo of Messages via satellite by following these steps: Open the Settings app Navigate to Apps ⇾ Messages Scroll down and hit Satellite Connection Demo This will walk you through the process of gaining a satellite connection to send critical updates to your loved ones. It’s great prep in case you need to use the feature later.

[House Atreides]

This will work for iPhone 14s and later iPhones. BE PREPARED.

[DannyTN]

Something like that should really be tested long before an emergency.

I wouldn’t advise people to upgrade their IOS hours before a hurricane hit.

[House Atreides]

“ I wouldn’t advise people to upgrade their IOS hours before a hurricane hit.”
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Seriously? The western North Carolina folks who used this capability after Hurricane Helene destroyed the cell towers, electricity and roads in their area are glad they didn’t listen to that advice.

Seriously, this has been well tested… including a “baptism by fire” after Hurricane Helene… and works.

[RainMan]

Thanks, updating now

[gitmo]

I upgraded to iOS 18 last night, but I need to upgrade my iPhone to a 14 or later now.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Thanks for posting this. I just forwarded the article to our neighbors whose daughter and SIL live near Tampa and are probably on-target for Milton.

I understand this works on iPhone 14 and newer.

This is also excellent for those in forest fire / wild fire and earthquake country.

I have an iPhone 12 and am thinking about upgrading to a 16 soon. I have a Garmin InReach Mini for backcountry hiking, but damn that is a horrendously clunky device and UI. You need the device, a mobile phone app, a Garmin “explore” web site, and TWO apps on the computer to make it all work. You have to pre-configure your message recipients on the web page before you go out and turn on tracking. I was testing it today on a short and sent a test message to my wife with my location. She got the email and it included a link to see the map with my track on it. The Garmin site refused to show the map (I’ve seen this glitch previously, too). It’s got to be the most difficult, least intuitive, and clunkiest bit of electronics I’ve ever used. The only good thing about it is its small size and long battery life, but usability is horrible.

[John Milner]

Yeah, I just checked on my I=Phone 10/X and it’s only version 16.X.x

Not ready to get a newer one as it works fine and only had it since 2018. I usually keep a phone 8-10 years

[Vermont Lt]

I just did this. It is very cool. Very simple process. And if you need it…you really need it.

[Vermont Lt]

It just took me about ten minutes to upgrade to 18. iOS is NOT windows. I’ve never had an upgrade fail on me.

[ZephyrTX]

This is excellent. This has been passed along to the folks in my town here in FL.

Is there anything like this for Android phones?

[House Atreides]

“ Is there anything like this for Android phones?”
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I don’t know. I suspect a special modem and possibly chip(s) having certain capabilities are needed. There is only one Apple but there are many cell phone manufacturers who produce a variety of “Android” phones. I’m sure at least some are working to create this functionality into their phones. Of course each Android manufacturer has its own priorities so YMMV.