Hurricane Milton: How to send texts via satellite when cell service is down as millions brace for impact

With Hurricane Milton expected make landfall on Florida's west coast late Wednesday it's important for those in area impacted by the storm , as well as those who may have family an friends in the area, to know how to send texts via satellite when cell service is down.

iPhone users will be able to stay in contact with loved ones during the storm as the new software update IOS 18 includes a feature that enables users to send texts via satellite connection. Users must have an iPhone 14 model or later for this feature to work.

iPhone 14, 15, and 16 will be able to use this feature by users must have IOS 18 installed on their device, according to Apple. Users can check to make sure their software is up to date by going to Settings> General> Software Update. Users should also make sure they have iMessages turned on before they lose cell service. Recipients of any message must also have the aforementioned model of iPhones and have IOS 18 installed.

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When users are out of normal cell service range and do not have a WiFi connection the phone will prompt the user when sending a message whether they would like to send it via satellite. According to Apple the phone will direct them to which way to point their phone to connect to a satellite, and they must be outside and have clear view of the sky and the horizon. The messages will not send as quickly as they would with traditional cell service or WiFi. They said the message could up to 30 seconds to go through.

The company noted that users will not be able to send photos or videos via satellite.

Hurricane Milton continues to swirl in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with wind speeds hitting 160mph on Wednesday morning. It escalated back down to a Category 3 storm on Wednesday, putting the Tampa Bay area at the highest risk of Milton's devastating fury.

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A terrifying 15ft storm surge could hit Florida's west coast, triggering widespread flooding and hazardous flying debris. Numerous live webcams are set up along the Florida coast, including in Clearwater, Key West, and Tampa itself.

You can witness all the terrifying scenes across the state as Milton makes landfall from Wednesday night through early Friday morning. The hurricane's arrival comes just days after Helene hit Florida, claiming over 220 lives.

In a rapid intensification, Milton transformed from a tropical storm with 40mph winds to a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane in just 46.5 hours. As the storm is expected to maintain considerable strength while traversing Florida, hurricane warnings were expanded early Tuesday to include parts of the state's east coast. The latest forcasts have Milton making landfall as a Catr