Hurricane Helene has left a path of destruction throughout the Southeastern United States, claiming over 100 lives and leaving many residents remoted as a result of destroyed infrastructure and lack of energy. Nonetheless, amongst this chaos, a ray of hope has emerged within the type of Apple’s new satellite tv for pc messaging options.
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Satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Asheville residents discover solace in satellite tv for pc communication
Matt Van Swol, a photographer in Asheville, North Carolina, shared on X (previously Twitter) that folks have been in a position to “get messages in and out with the Satellite tv for pc messaging function. That is actually saving lives.” Whereas the connection is not excellent, Van Swol notes it is a “50/50 probability, which is best than nothing.”
Photographer tweets about satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 (X) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Peace of thoughts for apprehensive households
One other X consumer reported utilizing the satellite tv for pc function to get location pings from relations when energy and web went out. “No less than it gave us some peace of thoughts,” they shared.
A person tweets about utilizing satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 (X) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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iOS 18: Increasing satellite tv for pc capabilities
With the current launch of iOS 18, Apple has launched a number of new satellite tv for pc options that improve communication throughout emergencies. Now you can ship messages through satellite tv for pc straight from the Messages app, permitting you to remain linked even when you find yourself off the grid and with out mobile or Wi-Fi protection.
Messages through satellite tv for pc lets you ship and obtain texts, emojis and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS when a mobile or Wi-Fi connection isn’t obtainable. Moreover, the iPhone 15 Professional reveals a textual content dialog in iMessage with a satellite tv for pc picture and the phrase “Hold Pointing at Satellite tv for pc… Related” within the Dynamic Island.
For many who want to attach with family and friends utilizing non-Apple units, SMS over satellite tv for pc gives another messaging choice. These options construct upon the Emergency SOS through Satellite tv for pc operate that was launched with the iPhone 14, providing much more methods to succeed in out for assist in vital conditions.
Satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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To ship messages through satellite tv for pc
- You want an iPhone 14 or later (all fashions) with iOS 18 or later.
- You should be in a spot with no mobile and Wi-Fi protection.
- You should be exterior with a transparent view of the sky and horizon.
- You should hook up with a satellite tv for pc along with your iPhone.
- You want an lively SIM.
- To make use of iMessage through satellite tv for pc, you might want to activate iMessage earlier than you are exterior mobile and Wi-Fi protection.
- To make use of SMS messaging through satellite tv for pc, your service should help it.
- Messages through satellite tv for pc is on the market within the U.S. and Canada.
- It is free for 2 years after the activation of an iPhone 14 or later (all fashions).
Satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Guarantee you could have iOS 18 put in
Earlier than you may benefit from the brand new options within the Magnifier app, make sure that your gadget is working iOS 18. Comply with these steps to examine and replace your iOS.
Verify your present iOS Model:
- Open the Settings app in your gadget
- Faucet Normal
- Faucet About. Right here, you’ll see the model quantity subsequent to Software program Model.
Replace to iOS 18:
- Go to Settings
- Faucet Normal
- Faucet Software program Replace
- If iOS 18 is on the market, faucet Obtain and Set up
- Comply with the on-screen directions to finish the replace
Steps to replace to iOS 18 on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How one can activate iMessage
Now, to make use of iMessage through satellite tv for pc, you might want to activate iMessage earlier than you’re exterior mobile and Wi-Fi protection. This is how to do that.
- Go to the Settings app in your iPhone
- Scroll down and faucet on Apps
- Scroll down and faucet on Messages
- Be sure that the iMessage toggle is turned on (it must be inexperienced)
Steps to activate iMessage on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Faucet on Ship & Obtain to make sure your cellphone quantity and electronic mail are chosen for iMessage
Steps to activate iMessage on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How one can use messages through satellite tv for pc
Connecting to a satellite tv for pc is fairly easy:
- When your iPhone detects that you just’re exterior mobile and Wi-Fi protection, it alerts you; on the Lock Display, you get a immediate that claims you may ship and obtain messages through satellite tv for pc.
- Once you hook up with the satellite tv for pc, you’ll additionally see the choice to textual content emergency companies utilizing Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc, get assist with automobile troubles utilizing Roadside Help through satellite tv for pc, and share your location utilizing “Discover My” through satellite tv for pc (the place these companies can be found).
- To ship a message, simply open the Messages app, you’ll be prompted to start out accepting messages if you have not already, and your iPhone gives directions to hook up with a satellite tv for pc to ship a textual content. You probably have an iPhone 14 Professional or later, the Dynamic Island on the high of the display screen has indicator dots that present the energy of your connection and, in case your connection may very well be improved, arrows that direct you to show left or proper. You possibly can faucet the Dynamic Island to open Connection Assistant for extra assist.
- Once you join and begin accepting messages through satellite tv for pc, you will obtain any SMS messages that had been despatched out of your emergency contact or members of your Household Sharing group earlier than you began accepting messages through satellite tv for pc. You will not obtain iMessages till your emergency contact or member of the family returns to the dialog and faucets Ship through Satellite tv for pc beneath their message bubble.
Satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Limitations of satellite tv for pc messaging
Messages through satellite tv for pc would possibly take just a little longer to ship. In very best circumstances, with a direct view of the sky and horizon, a message would possibly take 30 seconds to ship. It would take over a minute to ship underneath bushes with mild or medium foliage, and also you won’t be capable of hook up with a satellite tv for pc underneath heavy foliage or in case you’re surrounded by different obstructions.
Some iMessage options aren’t supported when utilizing a satellite tv for pc connection. You possibly can’t ship or obtain pictures or movies, audio messages, stickers or messages in a bunch message.
When you can’t ship an iMessage through satellite tv for pc – for instance, if the particular person you are attempting to textual content has an iPhone that doesn’t have iOS 18, they’ve a non-Apple gadget or in case you haven’t despatched them an iMessage not too long ago – you should utilize SMS messaging through satellite tv for pc.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Whereas the devastation attributable to Hurricane Helene is immense, it is heartening to see how know-how can present a lifeline in instances of disaster. Apple’s satellite tv for pc messaging options, although not excellent, are proving to be invaluable for these lower off from conventional communication strategies. As restoration efforts proceed, these improvements could be the distinction between life and dying for a lot of in affected areas.
What private experiences have you ever had with know-how throughout a pure catastrophe, and the way did it impression your state of affairs? Tell us by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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