Apple is preparing a major expansion of its satellite ambitions for the iPhone, according to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
While the company first introduced satellite technology to consumers in 2022 with Emergency SOS, the feature is reportedly only the beginning of a much broader long-term strategy. Apple has spent more than a decade exploring satellite communications, and internal discussions have repeatedly considered whether the company should one day operate its own satellite network. Although some executives see clear benefits in owning the entire system, leadership has so far resisted the idea, with the report noting that Apple has no interest in behaving like a traditional wireless carrier.
Despite that, Apple is said to be working on several next-generation satellite features that would make the iPhone far more capable when off the grid. One planned upgrade would allow third-party developers to integrate satellite connectivity into their apps for the first time, bringing non-Apple messaging and communication tools to users even without mobile service. Apple is also developing satellite-supported mapping features that would provide navigation without pre-downloaded maps, a move that could significantly improve usability in remote regions.
The report adds that Apple wants to advance beyond today’s text-only satellite messages to support richer content, including photos, particularly during emergencies. Another goal is to make satellite communication feel more natural and seamless. At present, the iPhone must be held in clear view of the sky for a connection to work, but Apple ultimately wants satellite features to function while the phone is in a pocket, inside a vehicle, or potentially even indoors.
The most transformative upgrade under development is support for 5G NTN — Non-Terrestrial Networks — allowing future iPhones to blend standard 5G connectivity with satellite links. Gurman notes this would dramatically improve reliability, not only in remote dead zones but also in areas where phones show a signal yet struggle to load data. By tightly integrating satellite and terrestrial networks, Apple aims to make the iPhone far more dependable in real-world conditions, turning satellite connectivity from a last-resort emergency tool into a core everyday capability.