iPhone Roadside Assistance via Satellite Feature Now Available in UK

Apple's Roadside Assistance via Satellite feature for iPhones is now live in the United Kingdom, based on a recent update to Apple's support documentation.

apple roadside assistance
The quiet launch follows Apple's announcement during its iPhone 16 event in September that the feature would expand to the UK later in the year.

Roadside Assistance via Satellite enables iPhone users to contact breakdown services in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. UK breakdown rescue service Green Flag has partnered with Apple to provide assistance to stranded motorists via the feature in areas with poor connectivity.

According to the updated support page, the service is available on a pay-per-use basis for those who are not Green Flag members, though specific pricing details have not been disclosed. Apple offers its satellite services, including Roadside Assistance, free for the first two years with the purchase of an iPhone 14 or later.

For Roadside Assistance via Satellite to work when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, users need to be in an open area with a clear view of the sky and horizon, according to Apple.

To use the feature, open the Messages app and start a new message. Next, type "roadside" into the address field, and a "Roadside Assistance" option will appear. Tap on "Roadside Assistance" and follow the on-screen instructions to connect your iPhone to a satellite and request help.

The feature is compatible with iPhone 14 and newer models running iOS 17 or later. The UK expansion follows Apple's established partnerships with AAA and Verizon Roadside Assistance in the US.

(Thanks, Jack!)

Popular Stories

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Will Include These New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond. Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far. Apple...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive an All-New Perk

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:21 am PST by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. iCloud+ is the official name for Apple's paid iCloud storage plans, which range from 50GB for $0.99 per month to 12TB for $59.99 per month in the United States. iCloud+ plans already come with multiple perks for free, such as Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video, and now there is another one...
iPhone SE 4 Single Camera Thumb

iPhone SE 4 Launching as Soon as Next Week

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:30 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone SE could debut as soon as next week with a launch to follow later in February, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple isn't expected to hold an event for the iPhone SE 4, and will instead unveil the device through a press release. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have an iPhone 14-style design, with Apple eliminating the thick bezels and Touch ID Home button of...
iOS 18

iOS 18.3.1 Update Coming Soon for iPhones

Thursday February 6, 2025 7:31 am PST by
Apple is internally testing iOS 18.3.1 for iPhones, according to our website's analytics logs, which have been a consistently reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released within the next few weeks. iOS 18.3.1 should be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Apple Intelligence notification summaries for news and...
maxresdefault

An Apple TV Refresh is Coming in 2025 - Here's What You Should Know

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:17 am PST by
Apple hasn't refreshed the Apple TV since 2022, but rumors suggest that we're finally going to get an update in 2025. We don't have a full picture of what to expect yet, but we have some hints on what's coming. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Updated A-Series Chip The current Apple TV 4K uses the A15 Bionic chip that was in the iPhone 13 lineup, and it's time for...
iCloud General Feature Redux

Apple Ordered by UK to Create Global iCloud Encryption Backdoor

Friday February 7, 2025 2:37 am PST by
The British government has secretly demanded that Apple give it blanket access to all encrypted user content uploaded to the cloud, reports The Washington Post. The undisclosed order is said to have been issued last month, and requires that Apple creates a back door that allows UK security officials unencumbered access to encrypted user data worldwide – an unprecedented demand not before...
Apple Leak Feature

Apple Leaker Issues Apology: 'Profound and Expensive Mistake'

Friday February 7, 2025 9:21 am PST by
Last year, we reported that Apple sued its former software engineer Andrew Aude for providing journalists with confidential information about the company's future plans, including details about the Journal app, Vision Pro headset, and more. As reported by 9to5Mac, the Superior Court of Santa Clara County on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit after Apple and Aude reached an agreement to resolve...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

iPhone Driver's Licenses to Expand to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday February 5, 2025 6:27 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Below, we outline which U.S. states and territories offer the feature, and additional states that have committed to rolling it out in...

Top Rated Comments

lusty Avatar
16 weeks ago
So in an emergency I have to remember that I need to write a message to “roadside” that’s not in my address book to access what we call breakdown assistance in the Uk.

Does anyone remember when Apple made things easy to use? Jobs wouldn’t have let this get past the testing phase with an interface like that.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pezimak Avatar
16 weeks ago

What network are you on? I haven't had no signal at all whilst being on road where this feature would be used in a long time.
Three and EE. And I am in Dorset and there are black spots. The UK does not have coverage everywhere. The 3G switch off has also made it worst in some areas on different networks. This feature will certainly help in more rural areas.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pacmania1982 Avatar
16 weeks ago
Don't forget like MOST of the highlands in Scotland and especially on the islands. This would be super cool for them. I didn't realise iMessage via satellite hadn't rolled out here so couldn't work out why I couldn't do it on a ferry in the middle of the Bay of Biscay a few weeks back.

I'd also like to know what the ongoing price for this will be too. Originally when all the satellite stuff was launched with the iPhone 14 (Pro/Pro Max??) - Apple said it was going to be free for two years. Hasn't it been two years now for those who bought iPhones and tried it then? No mention of costs moving forwards and it's only going to get bigger.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pezimak Avatar
16 weeks ago
Possibly quite a useful feature, glad to see it in the UK. Never know when you may need it and the UK doesn’t have coverage everywhere… despite it being 2024 and the UK being a not huge island. A bug bear of mine living in the UK.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Poisednoise Avatar
16 weeks ago
Quite a coup for Green Flag I would imagine, given that they are surely number three for roadside assistance in the UK by quite a long way.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Poisednoise Avatar
16 weeks ago

In GB you have to go to the left side of the forest, then it works (sry but i had to...) ?.
Wondering whether it’s worth pointing out that over a third of the world’s population, including that of the world’s most populous country, drive on the left. It’s not as uncommon as you might think.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)