Apple is reportedly gearing up to take its already-established satellite ambitions to the next level with a series of upgrades planned for future iPhones – including the ability to stay connected wherever you go, even if your phone never leaves your pocket.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is looking to expand what satellites can do for your iPhone.
Emergency SOS was just the start; now, Apple wants satellite connections to feel like a normal part of daily phone use, not just something you reach for when you’re lost in the woods.
One of the biggest updates could be the introduction of a dedicated API for third-party developers, allowing them to integrate their apps into satellite networks. That means apps beyond Apple’s Messages or Maps could eventually work even when you’re miles away from a cell tower and there’s no cellular coverage.
Speaking of those apps, both Messages and Maps are said to be getting satellite upgrades. Apple appears to be testing support for sending photos over satellite through Messages, while Maps could eventually incorporate offline navigation and live map data directly from space. For hikers, travellers, and anyone off the grid, this changes the game.
Perhaps the most exciting development is Apple’s plan to make the connection process more intuitive, eliminating the need to point your phone at the sky. Future iPhones could maintain that connection automatically, even when inside your pocket or even a car.
To pull this off, the 2026 iPhone collection is expected to support 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network), letting phones use satellites for standard network coverage.
They’re also testing satellite-powered weather updates, so even people in the middle of nowhere get the latest alerts.
While Apple currently relies on Globalstar, ongoing investment and industry rumours hint they’re eyeing a team-up with SpaceX’s Starlink. If that happens, satellite connectivity won’t just be a cool extra; it’ll be a core iPhone feature.
UK network O2 is also partnering with Musk’s satellite company to launch O2 Satellite next year, although the details of what it’ll offer are yet to be confirmed.
Beyond its immediate plans for iPhones, Apple is also broadening its focus by preparing to launch its first budget MacBook, aiming to compete with cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks. It’s safe to say 2026 will be another big year for Apple.
