Android 15’s satellite text messaging could trump the iPhone by letting you message anyone

Satellite messaging anyone could be a literal lifesaver

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A potentialGoogleMessages update could add satellite messaging to Android and allow you to message anyone within your contacts, making it more useful thanEmergency SOS Satellite serviceson the iPhone.

According to9to5Google, the code for beta version 20240329_01_RC00 of Google Messages contains three set-up screens that point to satellite messaging coming to Android. These screens further explain how satellite messaging could work and are believed to be part of theAndroid 15update, as follows:

These instructions make sense, highlighting that you need to be outdoors and see the sky to use the feature and that you can only send text. However, the third message is interesting, as being able to message anyone would be an advantage compared to the current limitations ofApple’s Emergency SOS Satellite.

Apple’s Emergency SOS Satellite feature on both theiPhone 14andiPhone 15series allows you to contact emergency services even if you have no phone reception, making it invaluable to hikers, climbers, and those in an emergency.It doesn’t allow you to message contacts, but will let you connect to emergency responders and roadside assistance and use Find My to share your current location. It will also display the answers to your emergency questionnaire and the messages you exchanged with emergency services.But if the Google Message update allows you to message contacts and emergency services, it would matchGarmin’s “two-way messaging” satellite texting and be potentially much more helpful than Apple’s more limited Emergency SOS Satellite.

Unknown orbit

Unfortunately, we still don’t know much about satellite messaging on Android, such as which networks will support it. However, aprevious rumorstates that T-Mobile ispartnering with SpaceX’s Starlink satellitesto bring “direct to cell” capabilities to phones.

The code also doesn’t indicate how much the feature could cost, as iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users only havefree satellite service accessuntil November 2025, after which it will become a paid-for service.We also don’t know when the feature could roll out. However, based on past Android releases, if it is part of the wider Android 15 update, we could expect to see it sometime between August and October.It’s important to note that beta code breakdowns do not guarantee that features will come to a device, as they may never be implemented; they could just be part of the test process or misinterpreted. However, given that this feature has been mentioned inprevious rumors, it’s likely we’ll see it added to Android shortly.

However, satellite messaging is a lifesaving feature that we hope will be available on all phones in the future in case of emergencies.

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James Ide was a writer for TechRadar specializing in phones and tablets, having previously worked at The Daily Mirror since 2016, covering news and reviews.

James loves messing with the latest tech, especially phones due to their incredibly rapid pace of development.

When not surrounded by various devices and/or tinkering with gadgets while putting them through their paces, James has a love of handheld consoles.

He is almost the textbook definition of a geek, who loves sci-fi, comics, games and of course, all things tech. If you think you have a story for him or just want to challenge him at Smash Bros, get in touch.

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