Apple iPhones To Support Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell Coverage in the U.S.

Apple, Starlink, and T-Mobile have been discreetly working on a partnership to provide satellite Internet service through iPhones in the United States.

According to Bloomberg, Apple and Starlink have been developing and testing the new satellite communication alternative on the latest iPhone software, which was released on Monday. This will allow users to experience satellite coverage.

T-Mobile had previously announced a beta direct‑to‑cell satellite service to provide coverage in areas in the U.S. where cell towers can’t reach and suggested it would be only an option for Samsung mobiles.

Now, besides its partnership with Globalstar to send emergency messages using satellite connection, Apple will join T-Mobile’s program to access Starlink’s service.

Elon Musk, Starlink’s founder and CEO, added more details on what users can expect on his social media platform X. “Medium resolution images, music & audio podcasts should work with the current generation Starlink direct-to-phone constellation,” wrote Musk over a post written by Mario Nawfal about Apple adding Starlink connectivity to its latest operating system, iOS 18.3.

Medium resolution images, music & audio podcasts should work with the current generation Starlink direct-to-phone constellation.

Next generation constellation will do medium resolution video. https://t.co/yfDPbkgSJH

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 29, 2025

The new iOS 18 operating system also updates its Apple Intelligence Notification summaries, now warning about errors and including only news headlines and not summaries as the default option, as reported by MacRumors. Many iPhone users had been getting inaccurate news alerts generated by Apple’s AI, and multiple companies, publications, and organizations, urged the tech giant to remove the feature.