The Article Tells The Story of:
- Apple will release iOS 18.5 soon.
- The update gives iPhone 13 satellite connectivity through carrier support.
- The service depends on your mobile carrier, not Apple hardware.
- T-Mobile and Starlink are leading the service in the U.S.
- Apple confirmed this update in official release notes on May 6.
iPhone 13 Gets Free Satellite Connectivity With iOS 18.5
Apple is set to release iOS 18.5 soon. The update will bring satellite connectivity to all iPhone 13 models. This includes the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The feature comes as a surprise because these phones do not have the hardware that was originally required for satellite communication.
With iOS 18.5, Apple introduces what it calls “carrier-provided satellite features.” These features will depend on mobile carriers. They work differently from the emergency satellite texting service launched with the iPhone 14.
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Why This Update Is a Major Surprise
When Apple released the iPhone 14, it introduced satellite connectivity for emergencies. This feature allowed users to send emergency texts even without cellular service. The iPhone 13 series did not support this because it lacked the required hardware.
Many users believed that iPhone 13 would never get any form of satellite service. However, iOS 18.5 changes that. The update enables satellite connectivity based on carrier support, not Apple hardware. This means that even without specialized chips, iPhone 13 users can now access satellite networks—if their carrier offers the service.
How Carrier-Provided Satellite Features Work
Unlike Apple’s emergency texting via satellite, carrier-provided satellite services work more like traditional cellular networks. Carriers team up with satellite providers to offer network coverage in areas without cell towers.
T-Mobile has partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink in the United States. This partnership allows T-Mobile to provide satellite service in dead zones. The service is currently in beta and will officially launch in July 2025.
Any iPhone user, including those on other carriers, can sign up to test the service. T-Mobile has confirmed that it will offer the service to all iPhone users, no matter which carrier they currently use.
It is important to note that this update does not install Starlink or any other satellite system directly on the iPhone. The phone does not become a satellite device itself. Instead, the phone gains the ability to access carrier-supported satellite signals if the user has a compatible service plan.
What This Means for iPhone 13 Users
This update is big news for iPhone 13 users. Apple had not hinted at any satellite features for the iPhone 13 series before now. The last time Apple introduced a similar service was for the iPhone 14 and later models. That service launched with iOS 18.3.
With iOS 18.5, Apple now brings satellite features to a wider group of users. All four models in the iPhone 13 line will receive this feature. The update is free, though using the service may depend on the carrier and their pricing plans.
The feature gives iPhone 13 users more options. They will now have better network access in areas where regular cell service is not available. This could be useful for hikers, travelers, and people living in remote areas.
Confirmation Comes From Apple
Apple confirmed the update in its official release notes. On May 6, Apple launched the release candidate beta of iOS 18.5. In the final note, Apple wrote, “Support for carrier-provided satellite features is available on iPhone 13 (all models).”
This is not a leak or rumor. It comes straight from Apple’s official documentation. That makes it reliable and final. Once the full iOS 18.5 release rolls out, all iPhone 13 users will get access to this feature.
What Users Should Know Before Updating
While the update is free, the service itself depends on the carrier. Users will need to check if their carrier supports satellite features. T-Mobile is currently the most active in this space, with its Starlink partnership. Other carriers may join later, but Apple has not named any others yet.
If your carrier does not support the feature, your iPhone 13 will still install the update, but the satellite service won’t be usable. Users can also register with T-Mobile to join the beta and test the satellite service now.
Also, using satellite service may require a specific plan. Carriers may offer it as part of premium packages or as an add-on. Apple provides the software support, but the network access and pricing are in the hands of mobile carriers.
iOS 18.5 Expands Satellite Access Across iPhones
Before this update, only iPhone 14 and newer devices had satellite connectivity. With iOS 18.5, the iPhone 13 joins that list. This extends the feature to millions of users who bought the iPhone 13 series in 2021 and 2022.
This move also shows that Apple is working to bring advanced connectivity features to older devices through software. By shifting to carrier-supported satellite services, Apple avoids the hardware limitation that stopped the iPhone 13 from getting full emergency satellite texting.
It’s a big win for users and a sign that satellite technology may soon become a common part of mobile networks.
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