Using text on Starlink satelites?

folivier

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Is anyone using their iphones to text on Starlink satelites? Not on your Starlink using wifi calling but out in the boonies where there is NO cell service?
DW is getting close to needing to upgrade her iphone SE and my Samsung S22 is close also. We're on ATT which is the only service that works at our cabin but only in a few areas. I recently got a Starlink Gen 3 and it works great here and on our phones when we're here. But there is NO cell service when we're out hiking or riding snowmobiles.
IIRC Tmobile is the only cell service that currently works on Starlink satelites. But what about Elon's cell phone? I assume that'll work with Starlink, any idea when it'll be available?
 
iPhones (at least since model 14 I think) offer messaging by satellite, but it's the Globalstar system, not Starlink.
 
My new Google Pixel 9 has a satellite based 911 option (to make emergency calls when there is no coverage) and I was curious about the network that it's connected to in case anyone on the forum knows. Really happy to see more cell phones with satellite connectivity, obsoletes the InReach I've had.
 
DH saw that messaging by satellite worked. I think he was using a beta version of ios18 at the time.

I’m waiting for the big announcement from T-Mobile regarding Starlink support. Supposed to be now.
 
A good friend lives in the Blue Ridge mountains in SW Virginia and was affected by Hurricane Helene. She uses Starlink and everything (including texts) worked thoughout that disaster. Thumbs up for satellites.
 
You could transfer your cell number to Google Voice, get a new cell number from AT&T (but don't give it out to anyone), connect your Google Voice account to the new cell number and do all of your calling and texting through Google Voice using wifi. I spend considerable time boondocking where there is zero cell service and I do this using my Starlink service. Works great. Port your Google Voice number - Google Voice Help
 
If the other end is on iMessage (blue bubble text) then it should work. If the other party is SMS green bubble that will not work.

You could use a temporary all virtual number like burner number or even Google Voice, those use data from you to their servers which will work over starlink and get converted to SMS as they leave their systems.

Also a very similar answer if you are using a temporary data only SIM in another country.
 
One more thing, all data messaging services like Signal will work fine. Excellent excuse to start using that. Do set it up ahead of time.
 
If the other end is on iMessage (blue bubble text) then it should work. If the other party is SMS green bubble that will not work.

You could use a temporary all virtual number like burner number or even Google Voice, those use data from you to their servers which will work over starlink and get converted to SMS as they leave their systems.

Also a very similar answer if you are using a temporary data only SIM in another country.
Not entirely true depending on what phone you have, you can send SMS if you have no coverage.

 
I have iOS 18 now, but haven’t been out of cell range to try this.

However, this uses a satellite connection but is not using Starlink.
 
Out iPhone 15 pro max’s work great texting on satellite as long as there is zero service otherwise. Even a half a bar unusable signal with thwart it though. Works reasonably good even In pretty good timber sometimes. Let’s midwife know I’m still ok when out cutting firewood in rural Montana.
 
Out iPhone 15 pro max’s work great texting on satellite as long as there is zero service otherwise. Even a half a bar unusable signal with thwart it though. Works reasonably good even In pretty good timber sometimes. Let’s midwife know I’m still ok when out cutting firewood in rural Montana.
And that's the problem at our cabin. Very little to NO cell service around our neighborhood. And NO cell service (that works) further up the mountain. I'm planning to upgrade both DW's iPhone and my android phones but waiting for ATT to agree to use Starlink before I buy new phones. BTW ATT is the ONLY service that works up there. I was testing with a friend who has the newest iPhone and if there was a tiny blip of ATT service even intermittently his text wouldn't work on satellite. Not sure if it was trying to hit starlink or not.
I just bought 2 GMRS radios that will work and a couple friends are discussing putting up a repeater. That'll help with local comms.
 
DH saw that messaging by satellite worked. I think he was using a beta version of ios18 at the time.

I’m waiting for the big announcement from T-Mobile regarding Starlink support. Supposed to be now.
T-mobile is supposed to he taking sign-ups for beta testing now. Are you going to sign-up?
 
Probably not. I’m patient enough to wait for non-beta.

I hoped it was here already. When I could really use it would be mid-May out on a ship so maybe we’ll get lucky by then.
 
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