Apple's Weather via Satellite Feature in iOS 26 Beta Code is Still Missing

A little more than three months ago, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered references to an unreleased "Weather via satellite" feature in the code for the first iOS 26 developer beta. However, just one day before iOS 26 is set to be widely released, the feature has yet to be released or even announced by Apple.

iPhone Satellite Feature
The references have not been removed from the code, as of the iOS 26 Release Candidate, so it is possible that Apple will introduce the feature eventually. Perhaps the feature will be added in a follow-up update, such as iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.

The feature would let you view the forecast and other weather information in the Weather app, in supported areas without Wi-Fi and cellular range. Apple's other satellite features include Emergency SOS via satellite, Messages via satellite, Find My via satellite, and Roadside Assistance via satellite, with availability varying by country.

Apple has yet to charge a fee for any of its satellite features. Last week, the company announced it is providing existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users with an additional year of free access to the entire suite of satellite features on those devices.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Top Rated Comments

jz0309 Avatar
21 weeks ago
since it wasn't announced - it's hardly "missing" ...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
attohs Avatar
21 weeks ago
Apple is not going to advertise "work in progress" features in advance anymore. You reported on this. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/18/apple-to-cut-down-on-early-announcements/
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Earendil Avatar
21 weeks ago

It shouldn’t be charged, it’s basic functionality.
Given that Apple doesn’t own the satellite network, and pays to use it, I’m not sure why you think using a satellite network should be free to you.

There’s a different network that Apple also doesn’t own, a network that provides basic functionally for cell phones. Should Apple foot the bill for that as well?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tomtad Avatar
21 weeks ago
They haven't announced anything so it's not exactly missing. The code was likely added to test it so we may see it in a future release
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WilliApple Avatar
21 weeks ago

Apple has yet to charge a fee for any of its satellite features. Last week, the company announced it is providing existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users with an additional year of free access ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/09/apple-extends-free-satellite-features/') to the entire suite of satellite features on those devices.
Wow I wonder why they are just giving this to us for free...
Apples so generous sometimes ❤️
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Howard2k Avatar
21 weeks ago
I hope Apple continues to allow three features for free. It’s a great differentiator.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)