iPhone Users in Japan Can Now Send Messages via Satellite

Monday December 8, 2025 2:19 pm PST by Juli Clover

iPhone users in Japan are now able to use Apple's Messages via satellite feature, Apple said today. Messages via satellite works on the iPhone 14 or later and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, allowing users who have no cellular or Wi-Fi connection to use satellite connectivity for messaging.

japan messages via satellite
When attempting to send a message with no cellular or Wi-Fi connection, iPhone users in Japan will see a message that prompts them to connect to the nearest satellite. After connecting, users can send and receive iMessages, SMS messages, emoji characters, and use the Messages Tapback feature.

Messages sent via satellite offer the same end-to-end encryption as messages sent over Wi-Fi or cellular.

Japanese users already had access to emergency SOS via satellite and the option to share location via satellite in the Find My app, so the new Messages via satellite option joins those two features.

iOS 18 or later is required for Messages via satellite on iPhone, while the feature needs watchOS 26 or later on the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Satellite connectivity continues to be free for all iPhone and Apple Watch users with supported devices.

Tag: Japan

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Top Rated Comments

jz0309

11 months ago

this is a good thing considering the earthquake earlier today, should come to California too I hope

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

arqtiq

11 months ago

I just tried it with a Swiss iPhone and Swiss carrier SIM in Canada. Worked flawlessly.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jaytv111

11 months ago

If I understand correctly, I have an iPhone from an unsupported country (EU), when vising US, iMessages will work without a SIM card (or when there is no connection).

Support page says you need an active SIM: https://support.apple.com/en-us/120930

What you need

* An iPhone 14 or later (all models)1
* The minimum required version of iOS:

* U.S., Canada, Japan: iOS 18 or later
* Mexico: iOS 18.4 or later

* An active SIM
* To use iMessage via satellite, you need to turn on iMessage before you're outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. To use SMS messaging via satellite, your carrier must support it.
* You need to connect to a satellite with your iPhone ('https://support.apple.com/en-us/105097')2

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

adrianlondon

11 months ago

Not a big deal for Japan since they mostly use Line for messaging

Not when there's no WiFi or mobile signal 😁

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

svish

11 months ago

Nice to see the feature availability expand. Hopefully satellite connectivity and features will be in more countries soon including mine! It is a very useful feature.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)