T-Mobile's Satellite Service Now Works With Popular Apps - MacRumors
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T-Mobile's Satellite Service Now Works With Popular Apps

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T-Mobile is expanding its T-Satellite with Starlink service, adding satellite data connectivity to multiple popular apps. That means T-Mobile users who don't have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection will be able to use Starlink satellite connectivity to access supported apps.

tmobile starlink
Apps that will work over a T-Mobile satellite connection include Google Maps, AllTrails, AccuWeather, CalTopo, X, WhatsApp (texts, voice, and video chat), onX, and T-Life.

Some native device apps like Google Messages, Find Hub, Pixel Weather, Apple Music, Apple Weather, and Apple Fitness were already able to be used with T-Mobile's U.S. satellite service.

T-Mobile subscribers with access to T-Satellite will see the satellite connection kick in whenever cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity are unavailable. Apps will offer tailored, critical content instead of full data-heavy experiences.

T-Satellite works on Apple's iPhones, and it can be used alongside the native satellite connectivity available in the iPhone 14 and later. The satellite service is included in T-Mobile's Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans, and T-Mobile customers with other plans can get access for $10 per month. Smartphone users who do not have T-Mobile can subscribe to T-Satellite as a standalone service for $10 per month.

Tag: T-Mobile

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Top Rated Comments

T
tehjones
9 months ago
This service, for me, is great. I ride a dirt bike 20-40 miles into the woods and mountains where there is absolutely nothing. I also usually ride solo which makes it even more essential. Apple's satellite coverage is okay but the annoying stand around and find a satellite interface is terrible and annoying. I can't imagine having to do this if I crashed and needed help. I joined the beta for this and it works way better than Apple's coverage. No UI to find a satellite, it just connects when you no longer have cell coverage. It does it automatically and texts continue to come through like nothing changed. It does it in the woods or mountains and when I was driving in a remote area in Montana. It's super easy to stay in touch with my wife when my planned route changes and I need to update her on my whereabouts incase I crash.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
matzo
9 months ago
I’ve been using T-Mobile’s Starlink service all summer in Wyoming, Colorado, Oregon, and California, in wilderness areas way outside normal cell coverage. It's been an amazing communication tool for logistics, planning, and staying in touch.

Battery usage has been pretty minimal when I’m just doing iMessage/SMS. Honestly feels about the same as being on a regular cell network, maybe even better since you can't use battery-hungry social media apps constantly. I’m curious to see how battery life changes once I start using Google Maps, AllTrails, or AccuWeather with it.

Also. Compared to friend's using a Garmin, or Apple’s satellite option, it feels a lot more normal since the phone just stays connected to the satellite cell network at all times while in your pocket. No need to hold it up to the sky or trigger something to activate. It's always on. The Starlink cell network usually gets 1 bar of service, sometimes 2 bars.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
jayducharme
9 months ago
Some native device apps like ... Apple Music ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-music/'), Apple Weather, and Apple Fitness were already able to be used
Because when you're stranded somewhere without cell service or WiFi, you gotta close those rings to a great playlist.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
Martin Bland
9 months ago

What makes an app supported or not? Serious question. Is T-Mobile limiting it to low-bandwidth apps, or do they somehow request some money from apps to be whitelisted? Not sure what the logic is.
The elimination of net neutrality.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
F
fathergll
9 months ago

What makes an app supported or not? Serious question. Is T-Mobile limiting it to low-bandwidth apps, or do they somehow request some money from apps to be whitelisted? Not sure what the logic is.
App owners have to submit for approval and there are guidelines for optimization of the apps for satellite use. If there are additional fees beyond that I have no idea.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikebenton Avatar
mikebenton
9 months ago
I'm curious what the satellite service does to battery life. It would be nice to have the service as a backup when camping and be able to listen to streaming services....but not if it's going to drain my battery within 2 hours.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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