iPhone satellite features helped Lake Tahoe avalanche survivors get rescued
Summary
A recent report from The New York Times highlights how survivors of a Lake Tahoe avalanche utilized Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone to communicate with first responders, showcasing the critical life-saving capabilities of this technology.
Key Insights
How does iPhone's Emergency SOS via satellite work?
Emergency SOS via satellite activates when there's no cellular or Wi-Fi and a user tries to contact emergency services. It presents a questionnaire to gather emergency details, guides the user to point the device at a satellite with a clear sky view, and connects to send location and messages to responders. It's free for two years after activating an iPhone 14 or later or Apple Watch Ultra 3.[1][2]
What are the requirements to use Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone?
It requires an iPhone 14 or later (up to iPhone 17), or Apple Watch Ultra 3, with the device outdoors and a clear, unobstructed view of the sky to connect to satellites. The feature is free for the first two years after device activation.[1][2]