Elon Musk: 'We've Had Promising Conversations With Apple About Starlink Connectivity'

With the launch of the iPhone 14 models yesterday, Apple introduced a new Emergency SOS via satellite feature that's designed to allow ‌iPhone‌ users to get emergency help in off-the-grid areas even when a cellular or WiFi connection is not available.

emergency sos via satellite
Apple is using Globalstar satellites for the endeavor at the current time, but SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed today that his company has had "some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity."

Musk says that the ‌iPhone‌ team is "super smart," and that space to ‌iPhone‌ communications will work best if "if phone software & hardware adapt to space-based signals vs Starlink purely emulating cell tower."


Apple has made zero mention of any discussions with SpaceX about Starlink, and there is no word if Apple has plans to enter into some kind of partnership to use Starlink technology.

In fact, SpaceX and Tesla in August announced a partnership for a new "satellite-to-cellular" service that will allow second-generation Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit to pair with T-Mobile's mid-band 5G spectrum for the purpose of providing "near complete coverage" across most areas in the United States.

Unlike Apple's satellite feature that requires an ‌iPhone‌ 14, T-Mobile and SpaceX's solution should work with existing smartphones. The service will not launch until late 2023, so there are still some details that SpaceX and T-Mobile need to work out.

Apple's satellite communication feature is designed for emergency situations, and it is used to to send short text messages to emergency personnel to allow ‌iPhone‌ users to get help wherever they are. It requires a clear line of sight to the sky for a satellite to connect, and Apple's service is free for the time being.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17: What's New With the Cameras

Friday May 2, 2025 3:52 pm PDT by
We've still got months to go before the new iPhone 17 models come out, but a combination of dummy models and leaks have given us some insight into what we can expect in terms of camera changes. Apple is adding new camera features, and changing the design of the camera bump for some models. You might be skeptical of dummy models, but over the years, they've proven to be a highly accurate...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID

20th-Anniversary iPhone Will Reportedly Feature an All-Screen Design

Saturday May 3, 2025 9:20 am PDT by
Apple's former design chief Jony Ive long dreamed of an iPhone with a truly all-screen design, and his wish might finally become reality in a few more years. The Information today cited multiple sources who said that at least one new iPhone model launching in 2027 will have a truly edge-to-edge display. The device's front camera and Face ID system would both be placed under the screen....
iPhone 17 Air Size Feature

iPhone 17 Air Expected to Have Battery Case Due to 'Worse' Battery Life

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air model will have "worse" battery life compared to previous iPhone models, according to a paywalled The Information report. In internal testing, Apple determined that the percentage of users who will be able to use the iPhone 17 Air for a full day without needing to recharge the device throughout the day will be between 60% and 70%, according to the report. For...
AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:30 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
iOS 18

Apple Says iOS 18.5 Coming Soon, Here is What's New

Monday May 5, 2025 8:19 am PDT by
In its press release for the new Pride Band today, Apple said that iOS 18.5 is "upcoming," following more than a month of beta testing. We expect the iOS 18.5 Release Candidate to be released this week, and this should be the final beta version, barring any last-minute bugs or changes. The software update should then be released to the general public next week. iOS 18.5 is a relatively...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature 2

iPhone 18 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Under-Screen Face ID With Top-Left Camera Hole

Saturday May 3, 2025 9:19 am PDT by
Apple's two-generations-away iPhone 18 Pro models will likely feature under-screen Face ID, according to The Information. The paywalled report today cited a source who said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have only a small hole in top-left corner of the screen, to accommodate the front-facing camera, with all Face ID hardware moved under the screen. With under-screen Face ID, ...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Apple Plans Split iPhone Launch Strategy: Pro and Foldable in Fall 2026, Standard in Spring 2027

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:32 am PDT by
Starting in 2026, Apple plans to change the release cycle for its flagship iPhone lineup, according to The Information. Apple will release the more expensive iPhone 18 Pro models in the fall, delaying the release of the standard iPhone 18 until the spring. The shift may be because Apple plans to debut a foldable iPhone in 2026, which will join the existing iPhone lineup. The fall release...

Top Rated Comments

sputnikv Avatar
35 months ago
typical of musk trying to claim some attention when he had nothing to do with the subject at hand. such an obnoxious guy
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
35 months ago
After what Musk pulled with Twitter why would anyone want to do business with him, except maybe for auto-part supply companies.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrRom92 Avatar
35 months ago
How about CarPlay in Teslas? Yeesh
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MattG Avatar
35 months ago
Ugh please don't get involved with this d-bag, Apple
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boss.king Avatar
35 months ago
Elon lies a lot, so who knows if this conversation happened entirely in his head or not.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
6787872 Avatar
35 months ago
musk is a conman and a fraud. hopefully apple will not deal with them.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)