Apple Extends Free Access To Satellite Features For Canadians

Back in 2022 Apple announced that Canadian iPhone 14 users could use the ‘SOS Via Satellite’ for free for two years. This always sparked the question… ‘what is going to happen after those two years pass?’ and after this year’s release of the iPhone 17, we finally know.

Buried in the fine print of the new iPhone is a statement that Apple is extending free access to satellite features for an additional year for existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users.

Apple’s SOS Via Satellite is a perfect companion to backcountry campers and backpackers and allows you to update your shared location through the “Fine My” app, and send and receive messages where there is no cell reception. Best of all, you can contact emergency services if you get yourself into trouble and need medical assistance.

I’ve been pretty impressed with this feature on my iPhone for sending location and status updates and it’s been perfectly reliable. Thankfully I haven’t had to use the emergency SOS features so far.