iPhone update allows users to text for help when there’s no cell service. How it works

TAMPA, Fla. ( WFLA ) — With Hurricane Milton barreling toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, many Tampa Bay area residents are fearing widespread and potentially weeks-long power outages, which could affect cellphone service, as many saw during Hurricane Helene.

However, iPhone’s newest update, iOS18, introduced a new feature that could potentially be life-saving and help those who are stuck without service contact family members and first responders.

Here’s how it works

The new update allows users to connect their phones to satellite, as long its an iPhone 14 or later model running iOS18.

From there, users have two ways to access the feature.

Control Center: Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open the Control Center, then tap on the box where the Wi-Fi symbol is located. From there, users should see the “Satellite” option. Tap it and then select “Try Demo.”

The demo will let users select if they would like to use satellite to send and receive text messages, update their shared location, get roadside assistance or send an emergency SOS.

The video player at the top of this story also shows a step-by-step visual on how to connect to satellite on an iPhone using this method. You can follow along and try a demo of the feature to see how it works.

Settings: You can also connect to satellite by opening your iPhone’s settings, tapping “Satellite,” and following instructions from there. Note that if you have Wi-Fi or cellphone service, Apple says the option to connect to satellite won’t appear in your Settings app.

Apple Support adds the feature works best if you’re outside with a clear view of the night sky. Overhead trees or tall buildings might block the connection.

You don’t need to hold your phone up high. You can hold it normally, Apple says, just don’t tuck it away in a pocket or bag.

Once established, the satellite connection should maintain even while your phone is locked.

Hurricane Milton strengthened again to a Category 5 storm Tuesday afternoon as it barreled toward the Florida coastline, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Milton had previously weakened to a Category 4 storm, but its wind speeds increased once again past the Category 5 threshold. The storm had sustained wind speeds of 165 mph.

The hurricane center also extended a storm surge and hurricane warnings on Florida and Georgia’s east coasts.

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